Second Quarter Grants 2020

During the second quarter of 2020, the Northwest Area Foundation approved 113 grants worth $5,184,631—including $665,000 in COVID-19 emergency grants to 25 of our grantees and $510,000 in COVID-19 emergency grants toward pooled relief funds at 13 organizations.

This quarter’s grant funding touches on work being done in each of our four interlocking portfolios, as well as work related to general projects that are not designated to a specific portfolio. Within each of these areas, we awarded COVID-19 emergency grants to provide essential support to many of our existing grantees and strengthen financial efforts by foundations providing critical emergency assistance to community-based nonprofits helping underserved communities in our region.

Overall, our grants support organizations anchored in the culture of the people they serve across our region of eight states and 76 Native nations that share the same geography. Our grantees are dedicated to expanding economic opportunity in under-resourced communities by advancing good jobs and financial capability. They build on the untapped potential within our priority communities: Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants and refugees, and people in rural areas.

We include grants of $10,000 or more below. For information on grants of less than $10,000, please visit our grants database.

*Indicates COVID-19 emergency grants.

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Grants to Provide Access to Capital

*African Economic Development Solutions of St. Paul, MN, received $15,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Community LendingWorks of Springfield, OR, received $50,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

First Children’s Finance of Minneapolis will receive $175,000 over two years to provide technical assistance and training to child care businesses that serve low-income and rural families in Iowa.
Grant term: March 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2022

Global to Local Health Initiative of SeaTac, WA, will receive $100,000 over two years to provide the flexibility to strengthen existing work and remain responsive to the evolving needs of the communities it serves as COVID-19 challenges continue.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2022

Lower Sioux Indian Community in the State of Minnesota of Morton, MN, will receive $225,356 over three years for development and implementation of the Lower Sioux Intergenerational Cultural Incubator Project, which will support local artists in building their financial and entrepreneurial skills to pursue arts as a business.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2023

Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon of Portland, OR, will receive $200,000 over two years to bolster its ability to meet the lending and technical assistance needs of low-income and entrepreneurs of color in Oregon.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2022

*Native American Development Center of Bismarck, ND, received $15,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Native CDFI Network Inc. of Washington, DC, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

NATIVE Inc. of Bismarck, ND, will receive $200,000 over two years to support a community needs assessment and feasibility study, which will help develop programming and strategic direction that will guide future work.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2022

Native360 Loan Fund Inc. of Grand Island, NE, will receive $200,000 over two years to support continued expansion of its business development services and financial products to Native entrepreneurs in Iowa and south-central South Dakota.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2022

*Nimiipuu Community Development Fund of Lapwai, ID, received $15,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Rural Community Development Resources of Yakima, WA, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Seattle Economic Development Fund of Seattle received $100,000 to support outreach to the Muslim community and development of a Sharia-compliant finance product for small businesses in Washington and Oregon.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

Verde of Portland, OR, will receive $200,000 over two years to support social enterprise, collective impact, and advocacy work, as well as efforts toward its organizational goals to build environmental wealth and power within low-income and people of color communities.
Grant term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022

 

Grants to Support Enterprise Development

*Byrd Barr Place of Seattle received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Ethnic Minorities of Burma Advocacy and Resource Center of Des Moines, IA, received $30,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*First Peoples Fund of Rapid City, SD, received $25,000 for its Resilience Fund, which provides emergency COVID-19 relief to grassroots artists and culture bearers within First Peoples Fund’s network to cover urgent personal needs and expenses: food, housing, caretaking, and health care.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Main Street Project of Northfield, MN, will receive $500,000 over two years to help continuing efforts to model resiliency, create a shared economy, and innovate with an equity lens.
Grant term: March 1, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2022

*Neighborhood Development Center Inc. of St. Paul, MN, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020

Prepare and Prosper of St. Paul, MN, will receive $450,000 over two years to support efforts to promote an inclusive financial sector through free tax preparation services for low-wage workers, financial coaching and mentoring, product development, and advocacy. Grant funds will also support efforts to lead systems change efforts in Minnesota.
Grant term: July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022

*Standing Rock Community Development Corporation of Fort Yates, ND, received $100,000 to coordinate the COVID-19 emergency response for the Standing Rock Sioux community and Native-serving organizations across North Dakota.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation of Porcupine, SD, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Unite Oregon of Portland, OR, received $75,000 to support the launch of an anti-gentrification and community wealth-building initiative, focused on low-income and marginalized communities in the eastern neighborhoods of Portland.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

*Ventures of Seattle received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

 

Grants to Promote Financial Inclusion

*Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) of St. Paul, MN, received $25,000 for its Latino Families Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate funding and financial relief for food, household essentials, and rental assistance to families and individuals in Minnesota’s Latino community who are affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are excluded from safety net programs such as unemployment assistance.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

 

Grants to Expand Work Opportunity

*Boys & Girls Clubs of America of Atlanta received $55,000 for its COVID-19 Relief Fund, which regrants to Boys & Girls Clubs in Indian Country to ensure Native Clubs within our region can continue critical COVID-19 response work in their communities: securing nutritious food, acquiring and distributing basic supplies, and providing essential staff support for programming and resources.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

MICA Group Inc. of Baltimore, MD, received $25,000 to support its tribal outreach efforts related to a 2.5GB broadband opportunity.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – Nov. 30, 2020

 

General Grants

When we fund projects that help organizations and communities in ways that aren’t specifically associated with one of our four interlocking portfolios, we include those grants in the “General” category.

African American Leadership Forum of Minneapolis received $25,000 in general operating support for advancing racial equity.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

*American Indian Community Housing Organization of Duluth, MN, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Appetite for Change Inc. of Minneapolis received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

*The Center Pole of Garryowen, MT, received $20,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Cheyenne River Youth Project of Eagle Butte, SD, received $15,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Chief Seattle Club of Seattle will receive $1,000,000 over two years to provide general operating support to help it expand its programs and operations, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2022

*Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines of Des Moines, IA, received $50,000 for its Disaster Recovery Fund, which responds to needs not being met by existing nonprofit, local, state, or federal programs. The Community Foundation’s $100,000 commitment was matched by the United Way of Central Iowa.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*First Nations Development Institute of Longmont, CO, received $50,000 for its COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, which supports Native nonprofit organizations and tribal programs on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the risk for Native communities, who have been impacted disproportionately.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Immigrant Development Center of Moorhead, MN, received $15,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Iowa CareGivers of West Des Moines, IA, received $30,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Jobs Foundation of Golden Valley, MN, received $100,000 to support Tech Dump’s “Train-to-Retain” adult job skills program, providing trainee wages, job training, and support for individuals with a history of incarceration and/or addiction.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

*Lakota Youth Development of Herrick, SD, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020

Latino Community Association of Bend, OR, will receive $150,000 over two years to support a full-time Workforce Navigator position to assist Latino residents in Central Oregon in accessing training, education, and jobs.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2022

Migizi Communications Inc. of Minneapolis will receive $175,000 over two years to support strategic capacity building in operations and implementing youth-centered American Indian cultural approaches in academics, youth training, and employment that supports a restructuring and expansion in the greater Twin Cities area.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2022

The Montana Racial Equity Project of Bozeman, MT, will receive $55,000 over two years to support work to educate, train, and activate both individuals and institutions in interrupting racism, bigotry, and prejudice whenever encountered. A portion of grant funds will also support response efforts to help individuals and businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – April 30, 2022

*Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) of Portland, OR, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Navigate of Minneapolis received $10,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*NDN Collective Inc. of Rapid City, SD, received $50,000 for its COVID-19 Response Project, which distributes resources to frontline organizations, tribes, and individuals to provide gap services during the health crisis, and to artists and entrepreneurs who are suffering from the economic impacts of the pandemic.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Network for Better Futures (Better Futures Minnesota) of Minneapolis received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*New Avenues for Youth Inc. of Portland, OR, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Northside Economic Opportunity Network (NEON) of Minneapolis received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Philanthrofund (PFund) Foundation of Minneapolis received $50,000 for its COVID-19 Response Fund, which deploys resources to individuals and nonprofits in LGBTQIA communities most affected by the coronavirus crisis, complementing the work of public health officials and expanding local capacity to address needs created by the crisis.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Pride Foundation of Seattle received $50,000 for its Crisis Community Care Fund, which supports general operations for current and previous Pride Foundation community grant, rapid response fund, or sponsorship recipients who are either providing direct services in response to the pandemic and/or are facing budget crises as a result of COVID-19 and are in need of emergency bridge funding to continue their operations.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Nov. 30, 2020

Seattle Foundation of Seattle received $10,000 to support its Equitable Evaluation Initiative Community of Practice.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – July 31, 2020

*Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Inc. of Arcata, CA, received $50,000 for its Flicker Fund, which provides direct grant support to stressed indigenous communities on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, where some are already facing issues of hunger, lack of access to water, and inability to secure basic hygiene and material supplies needed for everyday life.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Social Justice Fund NW of Seattle received $50,000 for its COVID-19 Crisis Fund, which supports Social Justice Fund grantees working to respond to the crisis using a variety of strategies to meet community needs and support mutual aid.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*South Dakota Community Foundation of Pierre, SD, received $15,000 for its Emergency Relief Fund for Immigrants, which delivers relief to South Dakota immigrant and refugee communities critically impacted by COVID-19 by providing accelerated assistance for rent, mortgage, utilities, and basic needs.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Ujamaa Place of St. Paul, MN, received $25,000 for general operating support in response to COVID-19.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

Urban League Twin Cities of Minneapolis received $25,000 in general operating support for advancing racial equity.
Grant term: June 1, 2020 – May 31, 2021

*Whatcom Community Foundation of Bellingham, WA, received $25,000 for its Resilience Fund, which helps ensure that people—especially those experiencing racism, homelessness, financial distress, isolation, mental health challenges, and other barriers to health and wellness—can get nutritious food, child care, mental health support, safe housing, and many other essentials. An early grant from the fund was to the Lhaq’temish Foundation (the community foundation of the Lummi people) so that they have funding to respond to tribal needs as they emerge.
Grant term: April 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

*Willamette Valley Law Project of Woodburn, OR, received $15,000 for its Farmworker Emergency Fund, which provides assistance to Oregon’s former and current undocumented farmworkers and essential workers (child care, food service and accommodation, cleaning and maintenance, retail, trade, etc.) affected by COVID-19, many of whom have limited or no access to emergency support.
Grant term: May 1, 2020 – Dec. 31, 2020

 

Sponsorships

Sponsorships support opportunities for grantees to participate in activities that advance their learning, build relationships, exchange ideas and resources, and collaborate in unexpected ways. No sponsorships were awarded in Q2.