Blandin Foundation

“Not really a divide but rather an interdependent space of social, economic, political and environmental interaction where our interests are really interwoven and not separate," describes Ellen Wolter to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. The University of Minnesota Extension civic engagement leader goes on to suggest that people living in these two worlds need to be allies in order to overcome these challenges. That can help rural and urban areas prosper together. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f7qHgn Eager to explore this interdependency further? The UMN Extension offers resources, a quiz, free webinars, a new podcast, and so much more: https://bit.ly/3zHfPqk

Thank you to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council on Foundations for bringing the Joint Conference back last week! Several Blandin Foundation staff joined hundreds of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders from across the state for two days of cross-sector reflection, peer networking, honest conversation, and learning in St. Paul. Special gratitude to conference keynote speakers and breakout sessions hosts, including our own Daniel Lemm, chief financial officer. Did you attend? What learning are you bringing into your week and your work? Comment below and let's keep the energy flowing!

Monday, October 14th is Indigenous Peoples' Day, a state and federal holiday established to create space for commemoration, celebration and learning about Native people, culture and history. If you're looking for some educational resources, let us point you to our partners at the Native Governance Center, specifically their Beyond Land Acknowledgement Series, offering tips and tools to encourage a shift from words to action. Check it out: https://bit.ly/3YkieRq

Today, #WorldMentalHealthDay, we're looking to the Center for Rural Policy and Development and its latest report, "Youth Mental Health: Where parents can find help now." In the report, in addition to contextualizing the need and ongoing investments in mental health services access across rural Minnesota, CRPD offers up immediately available resources for parents and caregivers, including: ?? Learning about mental health and mental illness in children, including protective factors and risk factors that shape their mental health for the rest of their lives. ?? Exploring mental health services at your school, as many host providers already are able to support children and families in a familiar school environment. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/3ZUD8Ya

Here's a new opportunity from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development aimed at reducing the childcare shortage in our state: Through its Child Care Community Partnerships Office, grant awards of up to $600,000 can be used for child care business start-up, expansion or retention, provider training, facility modifications, employee retention, improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements. At least half of the available grant funds will go to communities located outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Proposals for Child Care Economic Development grants will be accepted through Oct. 31. Learn more and explore other competitive grants: https://bit.ly/3D9Q8N3

This Digital Inclusion Week, let's talk broadband: Nearly 90% of Minnesotans enjoy fast, reliable home internet service for work, school, health care and so many essential and entertaining functions of modern life. But still 229,000 households, disproportionately in Greater Minnesota, do not. State statute requires that all households have high-speed access by 2026, and concerted and coordinated efforts at the local, regional, state and federal level are working to get us there. Broadband was a Blandin Foundation focus for more than a decade, because digital equity is essential for rural prosperity. More on that: https://bit.ly/47OXog5 Our partners at The Aspen Institute agree and hosted a conversation on digital equity for equitable rural prosperity recently. If you have a stake in digital equity – and we all do – hear from practitioners about lessons learned, gaps in current approaches, and potential models that could move the country toward full broadband coverage at a sustainable cost: https://bit.ly/47xVnVk

One of the reasons Ellen Wolter created the Side by Side podcast was to have a dialogue about policy. “We often address challenges in rural and urban spaces as if they are separate and distinct entities. But we don’t factor in the ways in which these spaces are interdependent into the ways in which we develop policy,” she explained. ICYMI, Blandin Foundation CEO, Tuleah Palmer, joined The Minneapolis Foundation President and CEO, R.T. Rybak, on the podcast for a wide-ranging policy discussion, from the history of our state’s economy to the current barriers to collaboration and problem-solving. Listen to the full conversation: https://bit.ly/3BifgU5 Have you considered urban-rural interdependence and mutually beneficial policy solutions? Comment with your ideas, or insights from this conversation.

Congratulations to Blandin Foundation Trustee, Dustin J. Goslin, on his new role with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures! Your work is a force that transforms communities!

Advocacy is an essential component of a nonprofit organization’s ability to meet its mission. But if your organization is new to engaging in advocacy activities, particularly during an election season, knowing what is permissible and practical can feel intimidating. Fortunately, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits curates timely, actionable resources to help Minnesota nonprofits engage in advocacy, public policy and election activities, including their new Minnesota Voter Engagement Guide. If you’ve been wondering if and how your organization can engage with this coming or future elections, now’s the time: https://bit.ly/3B6QypQ

GRAND PORTAGE BAND OF LAKE SUPERIOR CHIPPEWA expanded and renovated its existing but dated playground to better serve the community and make it ADA compliant. A true community investment, this $865,000 project received financial support from regional economic development organizations and community foundations, and from local restaurants, grocery stores and their customers. Blandin Foundation contributed $70,000 in our recent small communities/rural placemaking grant round. The playground is located at Grand Portage Band’s Community Center, which houses the Oshki Ogimaag (Young Leaders) Charter School. The school provides local, quality education with an emphasis on the Anishinaabe culture to grades K-6. The Community Center is also home to a tutoring program, after-school programming, youth summer camps, fitness center, gymnasium and the Elderly Nutrition Program. “The new playground is more than just a playground. It is a place where families in our rural community can have picnics, sit in the shade and watch their kids play,” said Jared Swader, Tribal Planner. “The playground will benefit the community for years to come by providing outdoor play for guests and our local children.” Thanks to Anne Brataas for the photos. Learn more about this project: https://bit.ly/4dgZ8Qa