First Quarter Grants 2026
During the first quarter of 2026, the Northwest Area Foundation approved 35 grants worth $7,894,300.
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 first quarter of 2026 has brought unprecedented challenges to our region, marked by a severe federal crackdown on immigrant and refugee communities in the Twin Cities and beyond. Q1 investments prioritized immediate protection and long-term resilience, directing significant support toward immigrant-led coalitions and workplace advocacy to safeguard our neighbors’ rights. And, by doubling our financial commitment for the second year in a row, we aim to ensure that our grantees are supported as they respond to emerging and ongoing adversities.
We include grants of $10,000 or more in the list below. For information on grants of less than $10,000, please visit our grants database.
African Career Education & Resources (ACER) of Minneapolis received $50,000 as a rapid response grant for general operating support.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026
African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) of St. Paul, MN, received $50,000 as a rapid response grant for general operating support.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026
AMOS Institute of Public Life of Des Moines, IA, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to help launch and sustain rural organizing initiatives in communities throughout central and northeastern Iowa.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2028
Awood Center of St. Paul, MN, received $90,000 as a cost amendment to the existing $10,000 grant it received to support efforts to build the power of East African workers through organizing, education, leadership development, community support, worker assistance, and advocacy.
Grant term: Dec. 8, 2025 – Dec. 31, 2026
Blackfeet Eco Knowledge Inc. (BEK) of Browning, MT, will receive $175,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to end generational cycles of inequity while restoring the Niitsitapi (Blackfeet) people’s sense of identity and pride in their language, culture, and place.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
Ethnic Self-Help Alliance for Refugee Assistance (ESHARA) of Moorhead, MN, will receive $250,000 over two years as a project grant to support efforts to convene immigrant-led nonprofits and grassroots partners to share services and deliver a holistic range of support to immigrant communities in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
Greater Minnesota Worker Center of St. Cloud, MN, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to educate people about their rights, connect them with resources, and support leadership development so they can change conditions in their workplaces.
Grant term: March 1, 2026 – Feb. 29, 2028
Headwaters Foundation for Justice of Minneapolis received $100,000 as a rapid response grant for general operating support.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026
Immigrant Development Center (IDC) of Moorhead, MN, received $50,000 as a rapid response grant for general operating support.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026
Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia / United Renters for Justice of Minneapolis will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support its efforts toward community organizing, policy advocacy, and community stewardship for accessible and inclusive housing for Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC); low-income; and immigrant renters in Minneapolis.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence of Des Moines, IA, will receive $350,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to provide survivor-centered advocacy and direct services to Iowans and communities affected by domestic violence.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
Latino Economic Development Center of St. Paul, MN, received $50,000 as a rapid response grant for general operating support.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2026
Leech Lake Financial Services of Cass Lake, MN, will receive $375,000 over two years as a cost amendment to the existing $250,000 grant it received to support efforts to create a thriving reservation community through lending products that positively impact entrepreneurs and the greater reservation economy.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2028
Mountain Shadow Association of Bozeman, MT, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support work focused on a family‐centered, Native‐led model to keep families together, support recovery in the community, and rebuild the local conditions for safety, belonging, and economic participation in the region.
Grant term: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028
Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) of Portland, OR, will receive $1,500,000 over three years as a general operating grant to support efforts to stabilize its infrastructure, improve program coordination, and expand its cultural home.
Grant term: March 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2029
Native CDFI Network Inc. of Washington, DC, will receive $500,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to connect Native CDFIs to advance their collective priorities, strengthen capacity, and advocate for economic justice in Native communities.
Grant term: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028
Native360 Loan Fund Inc. of Grand Island, NE, will receive $375,000 over two years as a cost amendment to the existing $250,000 grant it received to support efforts to provide varied loan products and business, financial, and credit training.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2028
Nimiipuu Community Development Fund of Lapwai, ID, will receive $600,000 over two years as a cost amendment to the existing $400,000 grant it received to support efforts to provide consumer and microbusiness loans, technical assistance, business networking events, and platforms for artists to share their talents.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2028
Nixyáawii Community Financial Services of Pendleton, OR, will receive $450,000 over two years as a cost amendment to the existing $300,000 grant it received to support efforts to provide financial education, business support, and homeownership programs.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2028
North Dakota Human Rights Coalition of Fargo, ND, will receive $150,000 over three years as a general operating grant to support efforts to provide foundational programming to address core communications and organizing needs, adapting to a rapidly changing social environment.
Grant term: March 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2029
Prepare and Prosper of St. Paul, MN, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to empower communities to advance economic and social justice toward a brighter, more equitable financial future.
Grant term: Feb. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2028
South Dakota Education Equity Coalition of Black Hawk, SD, will receive $250,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to empower and amplify community voices in promotion of a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive education system.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
United Vision for Idaho of Boise, ID, will receive $300,000 over two years as a general operating grant to support efforts to design and implement trainings that bridge political and ideological divides, using a methodology that centers listening and connection.
Grant term: Jan. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027
Warm Springs Community Action Team of Warm Springs, OR, will receive $600,000 over three years as a general operating grant to support its core initiatives in asset building, workforce development, and small business growth.
Grant term: March 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2029
White Earth Investment Initiative (WEII) of Ogema, MN, will receive $375,000 over two years as a cost amendment to the existing $250,000 grant it received to support efforts to provide consumer, housing, small business, and commercial real estate lending and education for Native communities.
Grant term: Oct. 1, 2024 – Sept. 30, 2028
