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 …
What does a welcoming rural community look like? Is it the shower of smiles you get while walking down main street? The sign at the town’s entrance shouting WELCOME in all CAPS? Or the local cafe where the many faces of the community come together for coffee? Creating a welcoming community, for newcomers and for existing residents, is …
Today we welcome Brian Nicklason, chair of the Investment Committee and board member for Blandin Foundation. Brian is president and CEO of Woodland Bank, with offices serving the northern Minnesota communities of Deer River, Cohasset, Hill City, and Grand Rapids. He has been a board member of the Foundation for 11 years. Last month, I, along …
You have to do it yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone. We use this mantra in all of our leadership programs because if we’ve learned one thing in our nearly 75 years working with rural leaders it’s this — leadership isn’t a one-person show. The true test of a leader isn’t in …
Nichole Uzelac only has a few weeks of high school left. Her clear vision for life after high school, paired with hands-on experience she gained in classes at Grand Rapids High School, has her future plans – to become a diesel mechanic – humming. That’s right. Diesel mechanic. What drew this articulate, highly motivated and …
It’s your story. It’s my story. It’s our story. Yet, it’s a story few of us know. For eight months now, community members throughout Itasca County have been exploring their shared history and filling in knowledge gaps about the promises made between American Indians and the United States that have shaped Minnesota’s past, present and …
Nonprofits and funders are finding new ways of working together to achieve greater impact, a survey conducted by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations found. Forging partnerships through authentic communication is crucial to understanding the needs of both grantees and those they serve. Building deeper relationships was the focus of a recent visit between Blandin Foundation trustees …
With books stacked sky high in the back seat and a trunk that’s bungee corded shut, many young Minnesotans hit the road last month, putt-putting to their futures. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education recently reported that 77 percent of the state’s high school graduates attended college in 2012, up from 56 percent in 1996. At …
Itasca County educators, government, artists, law enforcement, business owners, environmentalists, social services providers and more gathered together on Tuesday to answer the question: What is the future we want to live in to? Participating in three 20-minute conversations, some over-arching themes surfaced: Care enough to ask for one anothers’ stories Expand Art of Hosting in …