Blandin Foundation Invests in Itasca-Area Community Connection Spaces, Workforce and Nonprofit Leadership Supports

Key Points

• $2.64 million in grants support 33 projects across the Itasca area, 20 of those in small communities, highlighting strong community-driven ideas and demand.
• Funding supports the Foundation’s focus areas: community wealth building, placemaking, and local capacity building.
• Additional $990,000 in grants advance community wealth building and rural placemaking in rural Minnesota.
• Investments are focused on expanding opportunity and delivering stronger outcomes for rural communities in the Itasca County area and across the state.

Grand Rapids, Minn. – April 17, 2026

Blandin Foundation recently awarded $3.69 million in grants to support projects across the Itasca County area and rural Minnesota, advancing community-driven efforts to build resourced and resilient rural places.

A majority of the grant funds, $2.64 million, support 33 projects in communities across the Itasca County area. Several rural placemaking grants will ensure communities have well-functioning, easy to use gathering spaces. Northome, population 152, will reestablish and preserve its library. Hill City, Calumet, Nashwauk and Balsam Township also will make improvements to city halls or community centers.

“Projects like these are about more than just buildings and meeting spaces,” said Mary Magnuson, rural placemaking grants officer at Blandin Foundation. “Making sure people can participate in public meetings, community gatherings and other important events keeps neighbors connected to each other. When neighbors connect to make a vision like this reality, they also build trust and relationships that drive positive social change.”

Other grants bolster nonprofit organizations’ capacity to address community needs.

• Itasca County Habitat for Humanity plans to partner with the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) YouthBuild program to produce net-zero energy-efficient housing panels and offer vocational training.
• A partnership between Itasca County Family YMCA, Minnesota North College and the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board will provide customized, hands-on, credentialed training for the Y’s childcare staff, to sustain high-quality childcare programming, support staff professional growth and strengthen relationships with childcare families.

The Y also will focus on leadership and board development with an eye toward leadership transitions. Grants to Itasca Economic Development Corporation, Northland Counseling, Northland Area Family Service Center, Grace House and ElderCircle also support these organizations in recently completed or anticipated changes in leadership.

“Rural communities are overlooked for investment, despite the innovation and leadership they demonstrate every day,” said Tuleah Palmer, Blandin Foundation president and CEO. “By supporting this work, we’re not only helping communities move forward. We’re showing what’s possible when rural places are trusted and resourced.”