NACF is accepting applications for our Fall Grant Cycle - Health and wellness for seniors (65+)
The Northwest Alliance Community Foundation, serving Burnett and northern Polk counties, is accepting nonprofit applications for its fall granting cycle. In keeping with the mission of “nurturing the strength and well-being of our community by offering guidance and providing resources that support positive solutions," the focus will be on health and wellness for seniors (65+). The online submission process opens September 1, 2023 and grant applications are due by October 16, 2023. The maximum grant award is $5,000 and funds will be distributed November 15.
Nonprofits can submit your grant application here.
Grants
NACF awards grants in the spring and fall to nonprofit organizations in northern Polk and Burnett counties. In addition to its regular grant cycle, NACF has grants available year-round through its Environment Fund with the belief that appreciation of nature leads to concern and care for nature and feelings of strength and well-being in our community.
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 $122,500 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.
Grant History
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: 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 |
Fall 2021
Category: Environmental Fund
Farm Table Foundation | Cooked2Serve food project |
Farm Table Foundation | Farm Table programs |
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 |
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 |
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 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 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 |
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 |
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 |

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 |