Northland Foundation Awards $675,000 in Grants
The quarterly grants support nonprofits and community partners across northeast Minnesota, including child care businesses and Indigenous youth programs.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Child Care
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The Northland Foundation awarded $675,000 in 22 quarterly grants to nonprofit organizations and community partners across northeast Minnesota for July through September 2026. Five grants totaling $60,000, funded by the State of Minnesota, went to child care businesses in Chisholm, Duluth, Taconite and Virginia.
Why it matters
The region is short about 4,300 child care slots, and family child care businesses are half as numerous as they were in 2017. The grants target these child care gaps along with food security, housing and Indigenous youth needs in the region.
The Northland Foundation distributed $675,000 across 22 grants, including three targeted grants totaling $70,000 for American Indian Education and Indigenous youth development. Five child care grants totaling $60,000, funded by the State of Minnesota, supported providers in Chisholm, Duluth, Taconite and Virginia.
The players
Northland Foundation
A philanthropic organization serving northeast Minnesota that awards grants to nonprofits and community partners.
KOOTASCA Community Action Inc.
A community action agency serving Itasca and Koochiching Counties that runs food security and related programs.
One Roof Community Housing
A Duluth-based nonprofit that provides homeownership and home rehabilitation services.
The details
Grants went to nonprofit organizations and community partners across northeast Minnesota and Tribal Nation lands. KOOTASCA Community Action Inc. received $40,000 for food security in Itasca and Koochiching Counties, and One Roof Community Housing received $60,000 for homeownership and home rehabilitation in Duluth.
Timeline
July 2026 through September 2026: period covered by the third-quarter grants.
2017: baseline year when family child care businesses were twice as numerous as today.
Season Trajectory
The grants extend state-legislated child care funding into individual providers in northeast Minnesota, where family child care businesses have fallen to half their 2017 level. The awards add local capacity to a shortfall of about 4,300 child care slots.
Families in northeast Minnesota may find more child care options as the funded providers expand capacity. Parents seeking care in Chisholm, Duluth, Taconite or Virginia can contact local providers to ask about openings.
The takeaway
Local child care shortages are being addressed through a mix of state funding and regional philanthropy. Families looking for care in northeast Minnesota should check with local providers about current availability.
Further reading
Explore more on child care support and access across Minnesota.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDIO.
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