Grants
NACF awards grants in the spring and fall to nonprofit organizations in northern Polk and Burnett counties.
Competitive Grants, considered by NACF, are generally awarded to 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups or other tax-exempt organizations. Requests for funds to support religious or political activities are not eligible. Some grant guidelines include:
- No more than one grant will be awarded per organization per year.
- Funds are granted for future expenses.
- Grants will be screened, evaluated and presented to the NACF Board for approval. As an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation (SCVF), all final grantees must also be approved by the SCVF Board.
- Applicants must submit a completed NACF grant application during the open grant cycle along with a copy of the organization’s letter of tax-exemption.
- Applications will be evaluated on clearly stated organizational mission, project goals and management of funds, and evidence that the project addresses a clear need in our community.
The experience and knowledge gained from completing the project can be helpful for others embarking on similar endeavors. Therefore, NACF asks that grantees provide a brief assessment of your project’s strengths and challenges through a final report. You may direct any other questions and/or send your completed report to nacf.hq@gmail.com
NACF began offering grant opportunities in fall of 2016 and has awarded more than $150,000 to date. Founded in 2013, NACF is a regional, grass-roots organization serving northern Polk and Burnett Counties. NACF empowers people by providing learning opportunities, building financial resources, meeting community needs, awarding nonprofit grants, and helping individuals and families to leave a legacy. NACF is an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation.
Testimonials from Grant Recipients
Thank you sincerely for awarding the Luck Public Library $2,600 to fund our Chair Yoga Program. We are thrilled to add another health initiative to our line up. We truly believe in healthy aging and that the first step is making the commitment to ourselves. The second step is just as important; to have affordable access. You made that possible!
Thanks so much for awarding the Frederic Community Education $1,250 in grant money for investing in our scheduled 'Balancing it Out' program for area Seniors. We are very grateful that we can offer this valuable opportunity at an affordable rate in hopes to reach many Seniors who are interested in enhancing their health & wellness. I will keep you posted. Thanks again!
Grant History
Fall 2024
Category: Nurturing Strength and Wellbeing in our Communities
| West Denmark Woodland School | Playground for a new daycare program based on the Forest School Model | Youth |
| Youth of Burnett Co Prevention Coalition | Incentives to attend the Youth Substance Misuse Prevention Community Event | Youth |
| Burnett Co Family Resource Center | Support of its Family Strengthening Programs | Youth |
| Workforce Resource | Funding to help youth aging out of foster care find safe and stable housing | Youth |
Spring 2024
Category: Mental Health in conjunction with SCVF Vibrant Communities Grant
| Northwest Passage | Grant to launch PassageWay, a mental health digital hub | Mental Health |
| Endeavors Adult Development Center | Trips to area nature sites; handicapped garden boxes for participants at the center | Mental Health |
| St Croix Falls School District | Training retreat for students/advisors to become peer advisors | Mental Health |
| Webster School District | Staff and student mental health wellness initiative | Mental Health |
Fall 2023
Category: Health and Wellness for Seniors (65+)
| Aging and Disability Resource Center of Northwest Wisconsin | To develop the Burnett County Central Kitchen for meal preparation/delivery |
| Frederic School District | For the Balancing It Out senior fitness program |
| Friends of the Gandy Dancer State Trail | For help purchasing two pedal assist E-bike trishaw to provide recreational activity for Frederic nursing home & assisted living residents |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett County | For continuing to provide wheelchair ramps |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County | For general operating expenses |
| Larsen Family Public Library, | To partner with ADRC for pop-up libraries at meal sites and sending library materials with meal deliveries |
| Luck Public Library | For chair yoga classes for seniors |
| Webster Senior Citizens | For installation of a handicapped access door at the Senior Center |
Spring 2023
Category: Mental Health, in conjunction with SCVF Vibrant Communities Grants
| Community Referral Agency | Mental health program for clients/staff from child therapist specializing in child play/art therapy |
| Endeavors Adult Development Center | Mental health first aid staff training to identify/assist people in mental distress |
| We Support Recovery | Moral Reconation Therapy intervention for reducing risk of recidivism in Polk Co Jail inmates |
Fall 2022
Category: Environmental Grant
| Wild River Conservancy | Hiring staff to recruit and match volunteers to watershed projects |
Spring 2022
Category: Mental Health, in conjunction with SCVF Vibrant Communities Grants
| Domestic Animal Wellness Center | Provide pet wellness care for clients who cannot afford the costs |
| Endeavors Adult Development Center | Develop a sensory mental health area for crisis de-escalation and/or prevention |
| Friends of Larsen Famiy Library | Purchase materials on mental health for the community |
| Grantsburg School District | Suicide prevention and mental health intervention training |
| Webster School District | Building resilience and self-care in Webster school staff through training and activities |
Fall 2021
Category: Environmental Fund
| Farm Table Foundation | Cooked2Serve food project |
| Farm Table Foundation | Farm Table programs |
Fall 2021
Category: Education
| Mental Health Task Force of Polk County | Training to provide suicide prevention education in 5 school districts |
| Softec | Pay for trainee chemical assessments as a step to obtaining valid drivers
licenses |
| Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity | Summer day cams to introduce girls to skilled trades |
| Friends of Larsen Famiy Library | Environment focused books to area day care centers |
Spring 2021
Category: Mental Health, in conjunction with SCVF Vibrant Communities Grants
| Caring Hearts Thrift Shop | Mental Health |
| Webster School District | Mental Health |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County | Mental Health |
| Kinship of Polk County | Mental Health |
Fall 2020
These were not competitive grants, rather, awarded directly to schools.
Category: COVID-19
| Grantsburg School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| Siren School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| Webster School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| Frederic School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| Luck School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| Unity School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
| St Croix Falls School District | To create and support safe learning environments |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Clam Falls Flowage Lake Association | To work on protecting the flowage lake |
Spring 2020
Categories: Literacy; Transportation; Youth & Families
| Grantsburg Community Education | STAR mentorship program Fall 2020-21 |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett Co | Help local families with utility expenses |
| Mental Health Task Force Polk Co | Community training/Building Resiliency in Youth |
| Salvation Army | Assist foster youth aging out of system to find stable housing |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Northwest Passage Limited | Bike storage shelter for Riverside campus. |
Fall 2019
Categories: Youth & Families
| Burnett Co Workforce Resource | Mentors to work with foster youth |
Spring 2019
Categories: Environment; Youth & Families
| Interfaith Caregivers of Burnett Co | Help families with utilities costs |
| Burnett Co Family Literacy | Budgeting materials for tutoring |
| Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity | Support Home Repairs Program |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Friends of Gandy Dancer | Bikes for loan by Luck Public Library |
| Burnett Co Family Resource Center | 4th annual Fun & Fit Families program |
| Northwest Passage Limited | Ten bikes for use with adolescent programs |
Spring 2018
Categories: Health & Wellness; Education & Literacy; Youth & Families
| Grantsburg Public Library | New seating for refurbished children’s space |
| Yellow Lake Food Distribution | Food to distribute to 1,650 people each month |
| Friends of the Frederic Library | Bikes, helmets to ride the Gandy Dancer Trail |
| Connections Store & More Food Shelf | Vouchers for holiday hams and turkeys |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Northwest Passage Limited | 4 scholarships to Master Naturalist Training |
Fall 2018
Categories: Environment; Arts; Education & Literacy
| Frederic Arts | Establish art program for residents of Traditions |
| Burnett Co Workforce Resource | Instructors for culinary academies |
| Burnett Co 4-H | Start archery/shooting sports program ages 8-19 |
| Mental Health Task Force Polk Co | Suicide prevention training |
Tracey Nooner presents a grant to Frederic Arts: $750. Establish an arts program for residents of Traditions of Frederic.
Carole Wondra presents a grant to Tom Brock from the Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, $816. Suicide prevention training.
Patti Hurd presents a grant to the Burnett County 4-H, $750. Start an archery shooting sports program for ages 8-19.
Spring 2017
Category: Proceeds from the NACF Fundraising Campaign in support of local food shelves
| Family Pathways, Frederic | Food |
| Grantsburg Area Food Shelf | Food |
| Home and Away Ministries, Siren | Food |
| Indianhead Community Action Agency | Food |
Spring 2017
Categories: Education & Literacy; Youth & Families; Environment
| Friends of Larsen Family Public Library | Books to day care centers Siren, Webster, Danbury |
| Burnett Co Family Literacy | Expand early childhood literacy program |
| St Croix Festival Theatre | Arts centered summer day camps Burnett/Polk Co |
| Farm, Feral, & Stray | Spay/neuter and rabies vaccinations for 25 cats |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Burnett Co Family Resource Center | Pedometers for Summer Fun & Fit Families program |
| Ice Age National Trail | Local chapter |
| Lake Country Pedalers | Biking trails/bike-in camping on Burnett Co parcel |
| Frederic Arts | Classes with elements of the natural environment |
Fall 2017
Categories: Health & Wellness; Education & Literacy; Youth & Families
| Siren School District | Keyboard, ukuleles, after school music |
| Endeavors Adult Development Center | Tabletops for growing tomatoes |
| Burnett Co Drug & Alcohol Court | GED support |
| Grantsburg Area Food Shelf | Vouchers for fresh fruit & vegetables |
From the NACF Environmental Fund
| Domestic Animal Wellness Center | Educational marketing about wildlife services |
| Burnett Co Forest and Parks | Signage fat bike/skijorking trail in Timberland Hills |
Fall 2016
Categories: Health & Wellness; Education & Literacy; Youth & Families
| Community Referral Agency | General operating costs/services |
| ICAA Head Start | Purchase new books for their library |
| Salvation Army | Food for backpacks for families reduced/free lunch |
| Aging and Disability Resource Center | Marketing materials for dementia-friendly summit |