Third Quarter Grants 2026

During the third quarter of 2026, the Northwest Area Foundation approved 41 grants worth $6,938,000.

Our grantmaking supports organizations building racial, social, and economic justice—helping communities within our region of eight states and 76 Native nations thrive on their own terms. They’re advancing long-overdue change in deep connection with the land they inhabit and communities they serve—Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and people in rural areas.

The third quarter of 2026 had a substantial focus on expanding economic stability, food security, and rapid response support for immigrant, refugee, and “New American” communities, especially in the wake of increased immigration enforcement activities around the region. Grants directly targeted essential local services, workforce opportunities, and community resource centers to help families overcome systemic barriers to housing and care. Alongside this core work, Q3 investments also sustained culturally grounded services, language revitalization, and Native heritage programs, ensuring diverse communities hold the resources and leadership capacity to thrive.

We include grants of $10,000 or more in the list below (excluding employee-directed grants). For information on grants of less than $10,000, please visit our grants database.

African Youth & Community Organization (AYCO) of Portland, OR, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its core programs, including Shifa, a culturally and linguistically specific behavioral health model that integrates clinical care, peer support, mentorship, and navigation into a coordinated system of care.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA) of St. Paul, MN, received $50,000 as a general operating grant to support its “Asian Small Business Relief Grant” program, created as a direct response to the financial devastation caused by increased federal immigration enforcement (ICE) activities in St. Paul.
Grant term: Aug. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026

Blackfeet Community College (BFCC) of Browning, MT, will receive $360,000 over three years as a project grant to support its new initiative that strengthens Blackfeet cultural connections within Glacier National Park, which is part of the Blackfeet’s historic homelands.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

Build Wealth MN Inc. of Minneapolis will receive $600,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its capacity to evaluate its leadership model, engage in systems change and advocacy, deliver culturally grounded services, and make progress toward its 9000 Equities Fund campaign.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Aug. 31, 2028

Chief Seattle Club of Seattle will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to grow its capacity and strengthen its ability to monitor and interpret federal actions, develop responsive strategies grounded in traditional Native values, and safeguard culturally rooted housing solutions.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2028

Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy Inc. of Pocatello, ID, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its work on language and cultural revitalization.
Grant term: June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2028

Community Council of Idaho (CC Idaho) of Caldwell, ID, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to strengthen economic stability and reduce food insecurity for individuals and families, while significantly expanding access to populations who have historically been unable to receive support due to immigration status.
Grant term: Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2028

Cultural Wellness Center of Minneapolis will receive $500,000 over three years as a general operating grant to support efforts in three key priorities: constructing a national headquarters, transforming its organizational knowledge into a formal university model, and building leadership structures for long-term sustainability.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

Dream of Wild Health (DWH) of Minneapolis will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its continued youth development programming.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Aug. 31, 2028

He Sapa Otipi Inc. of Rapid City, SD, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to bring together cultural, ceremonial, and support services into a single, accessible hub defined by community voice and intergenerational knowledge.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Hmong American Partnership (HAP) of St. Paul, MN, will receive $400,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to sustain and expand its integrated model, advancing economic prosperity for immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities across the Twin Cities.
Grant term: Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2028

Immigrant Development Center (IDC) of Moorhead, MN, will receive $500,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its integrated economic empowerment services for immigrants, refugees, and New Americans in the Fargo-Moorhead region.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Aug. 31, 2028

Indigenous Impact Foundation of Bearcreek, MT, is a project for the fiscal sponsor Red Lodge Area Community Foundation of Red Lodge, MT. Red Lodge Area Community Foundation received $25,000 as a project grant to support the Indigenous Impact Foundation in event coordination and direct honoraria for Native artists and participants connected to the Neighboring Nations Indigenous Arts and Culture Festival.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027

Iowa CareGivers of West Des Moines, IA, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to provide forums and opportunities for education, recognition, advocacy, and research to foster awareness and positive change for professionals and care recipients affected by this field.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2028

Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) of St. Paul, MN, will receive $400,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to advance a broad portfolio of statewide humanities programming designed to expand access, reduce barriers, and strengthen community capacity, particularly within priority communities.
Grant term: Aug. 1, 2026 – July 31, 2028

Native Ways Federation Inc. of Minneapolis will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to work with funders to build understanding about how longer-term assistance to nonprofits, led by communities of color, increases the longevity of leadership, structure, and strategies.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Aug. 31, 2028

Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation of Crow Agency, MT, will receive $600,000 over three years as a general operating grant to support essential functions, including personnel, finance, grant management, and fundraising.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2029

Prepare + Prosper of St. Paul, MN, received $25,000 as a project grant to support the relocation of its offices after more than 16 years in its current location.
Grant term: Sept. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026

Sahan Journal of St. Paul, MN, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its work to ensure that communities of color remain visible in public narratives and that systems are held accountable.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Transforming Generations of St. Paul, MN, will receive $300,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its work on organizing, healing, and equity, offering culturally competent, trauma-informed programming grounded in the lived experiences of communities.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Unidos MN Education Fund of Minneapolis will receive $600,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its base-building, leadership development, civic engagement, and policy advocacy.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028

Women’s Foundation of Minnesota (WFM) of Minneapolis received $250,000 as a project grant to support its Immigrant Rapid Response Fund (IRRF), a pooled fund established in response to increased immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota. The IRRF provides grants to community-based organizations supporting individuals and families affected by Operation Metro Surge.
Grant term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027