Grants will range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more and focus on creating a more sustainable and equitable region
West Central Initiative is accepting applications now through Monday, May 22, 2023, for Resilient Communities Grants. Grants will focus on organizations working to create a more sustainable and equitable region.
“Resilient communities, resilient individuals, resilient children, and resilient organizations all have stories of survival and success,” said Rebecca Lynn Petersen, West Central Initiative’s Director of Development.
“Now that the pandemic has become more manageable, we’ve expanded our definition of resilience and transitioned to Resilient Communities Grants that emphasize promoting sustainability and racial equity in west central Minnesota.”
Most grants will range from $3,000 to $10,000—although some may reach up to $25,000 based on scope, need, and impact.
A team of peers with lived experience and expertise in sustainable and equitable development will review proposals and recommend awards.
West Central Initiative will host virtual information sessions on Wednesday, May 3, at 10 in the morning and Monday, May 8, at 5 in the afternoon to walk through the guidelines and answer questions.
To be eligible for a Resilient Communities Grant, your organization must:
Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, school, or unit of government (including Tribal government or division) or must be fiscally sponsored by another organization with this status.
Serve people in West Central Initiative’s region, which includes nine counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin and White Earth Nation.
“We continue to hear new stories and see new programs that serve our resilient region,” said Petersen.
“Perhaps one of these stories could be yours. We’d love to support you in furthering your impact in our region.”
You can register for an information session or view the grant guidelines and application at wcif.org/resilient-communities.
West Central Initiative (WCI) is a regional community foundation and an economic development organization serving the nine west central Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin and a portion of White Earth Nation.
Through philanthropy and planning, WCI fuels insight and action for the benefit of our region and our world. Since 1986, WCI has provided more than $57 million in loans and $72 million in grants to businesses and organizations. Learn more at wcif.org.