AspireNORTH — a new program of Minnesota North College’s five campuses — shows the exciting changes possible when key institutions intentionally set their sights on coordinated regional impact. Shifting to build systems that work for students – not the other way around – sets our local colleges on a path to offer learning that fits …
By Jaci David
Among the celebrations of March Madness, Mardi Gras and Make-Up-Your-Own-Holiday Day (yes, that’s really a thing), March hosts another important day that impacts all Americans – the start of Census 2020. Is your community ready? As a rural leader, you are passionate about the health and vibrancy of your community. In your community work, you’ve …
By Linda Gibeau
More than 60 years ago, Charles Blandin gave two students – both women – scholarships to continue their education. A self-taught man, he knew education was one key to these students’ strong futures. We are honored to stand again this year with 344 Itasca students, each dedicated to their educational dream – at community, technical …
As new populations move into rural communities across Minnesota, local leaders are met with new opportunities, challenges, and, above all, hope for stronger communities. To share these stories, Blandin Foundation awarded a grant to MinnPost, along with many other funders, to extend their New American coverage outside of the metro area. Here’s a bit about …
Last year, Stanford economist Raj Chetty and other researchers found that “children growing up in poor families in three out of four rural counties have higher incomes than the national average at age 26 simply as a result of spending time in these communities.” Star Tribune’s Adam Belz wrote a three-part series on the research …
The achievement of Itasca-area young people was a great passion of our founder, Charles K. Blandin. That passion is still alive and burning bright today. This year, we will stand with 365 students who have made a courageous commitment to achieve their educational dream — whether it be at a community, technical or tribal college, …
In 1956, Charles Blandin gave two students scholarships to continue their education. Since then, the $23 million in scholarships the Foundation has awarded to more than 15,000 Itasca area students exemplifies his enduring commitment to expanding educational opportunities for local residents. Sixty one years after those first awards, Blandin Foundation staff and board members are …
We often say if you’ve been to one small town, you’ve been to one small town. Each rural community is unique, with its own gems, challenges and culture. If you’ve ever lived in a small town, though, you most likely have heard a sentence like, “Oh, I know her. She’s my niece’s third grade teacher turned …
Rural Minnesotans want jobs. Not just any jobs, but good jobs. Jobs that can support households. Rural Pulse 2016 tells us that attracting and retaining jobs is the number 1 priority for rural Minnesotans, but 30 percent of respondents believe their community doesn’t successfully maintain or grow job opportunities. Last week, Small Biz Survival author …
Brain gain is getting its moment in the legislative spotlight. Introduced by Rep. Deb Kiel, the “Greater Minnesota Brain Gain bill,” if passed, would create a “pilot grant program to provide grants to eligible organizations to identify and support local economic development initiatives in greater Minnesota designed to attract workers and new residents by marketing …