The Blandin Foundation in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, has announced grants totaling $4.1 million to nonprofits across the state, including those working to strengthen Itasca-area communities as they recover from the impact of COVID-19.

Grants include two-year general operations support for twenty-six nonprofits in support of work to help Itasca-area residents meet basic needs. Recipients include KOOTASCA, which was awarded $720,000 build capacity to address issues with the housing system in Itasca and Koochiching counties that disproportionately impacts low-income households, and Itasca Community College, which will receive $239,400 to provide tuition support for students with financial need, as well as support for other costs that could affect students' ability to stay in school, such as child care and emergency funds. In addition, grants totaling nearly $400,000 were awarded to bolster early childhood programming in Remer and Hill City. Grantees include Northland Area Family Services Center and the Independent School District 2's Early Start program, which provided quality, full-day programming for families most impacted during the pandemic.

"Since day one of the pandemic, nonprofit organizations were there — connecting, serving, sorting, informing, sharing time, energy and knowledge," said Blandin Foundation president and CEO Tuleah Palmer. "These grants help limit funding uncertainty as nonprofits catch their breath after these long months of serving uncharted community needs. They are one small way to acknowledge their dedication to making sure community members' most pressing needs are met."

For a complete list of grant recipients, see the Blandin Foundation website.

(Photo credit: Northland Area Family Service Center)