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 [email protected]
Current Grant Cycle - Fall 2021
NACF AWARDS GRANTS TO AREA NONPROFITS
[Frederic, Nov 15, 2021] -
The Northwest Alliance Community Foundation (NACF) has named four area nonprofit organizations to share $8,000 offered through its fall granting cycle with an emphasis on education. Successful applicants include
Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity, for summer day camps to introduce girls ages 8-15 to the skilled trades;
SOFTEC Education, to help pay for chemical health assessments for trainees as a required step to obtaining valid driver licenses for employment;
Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, to provide QPR Suicide Gatekeeper training to increase suicide prevention education in five school districts; and
Friends of the Larsen Family Public Library in Webster to provide environment focused books during the school year to area day care centers.
NACF began offering grant opportunities in fall of 2016 and has awarded more than $67,000 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. To learn more, go to http://www.northwestalliancecf.org.
Watch for the Spring grant cycle information here or contact [email protected] for more information.
Grant History
Spring 2021
Category: Mental health needs of the community
| Caring Hearts | Operating support for overhead, including rent. This organization helps clients with utilities, rent, car repair, etc. |
| Kinship of Polk County | To integrate an educational platform called SafeSchools to suplement mentor training |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County | Operating support to continue services to clients including rides, services and friendship |
| Webster School District | To expand and strengthen school-based mental health supports |
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 |
