The Crookston Area Community Fund invites grant applications to support charitable, educational, and public-purpose projects that will enhance or improve the quality of life for residents and visitors of the Crookston area. Grants will be considered from any nonprofit organization or public agency whose project addresses one of the topics, which include education, economic development, healthcare, environment and recreation, and cultural and community service.
This program is based on the Northwest Minnesota Foundation in Bemidji, and they can disburse funds throughout the region. “They are soliciting communities to have these funds,” said Crookston Area Community Fund Chair member Shirley Iverson, “They were able to do that and do a capital drive where the money goes into an endowment.”
The Crookston Area Community Fund also has a Disaster Relief Fund. This fund helped mitigate costs for community members who faced challenges from the high water incident in 2022. “During that time there were 27 households we could assist,” said Iverson, “With a small grant, and that grant was capped at $500, we also helped one person re-locate using this disaster fund money.” Other funds managed through the program are the Crookston Sports Arena Fund (The Legacy Fund) and the Crookston Parks and Rec Fund.
The Crookston Area Community Fund will consider grant applications of $500 to $10,000, with a total amount available for 2024 grants of $25,000. Special consideration will be given to projects that collaborate with others, utilize matching funds (either cash or in-kind), provide a long-term impact, and have the ability to use the grant funds by December 31, 2024. “I encourage all of the nonprofit and local agencies to apply for the grant dollars,” said Iverson, “This is a unique opportunity to be creative and apply for either matching dollars or dollars you need to complete a project to make Crookston a more vibrant and engaging community to live in.”
Applications are available at the Crookston City Hall, Crookston Area Community Fund Facebook page, or you may request a copy be sent to you. An electronic copy of the application can be downloaded from www.nwmf.org.
Crookston Area Community Fund grant applications are due April 1, 2024. Mail or deliver one copy to the Crookston Area Community Fund, PO Box 543, Crookston, MN 56716. Completed applications may also be dropped off at Crookston City Hall, 124 North Broadway, Crookston, MN 56716. Grants will be awarded in May 2024.
For questions regarding the application, call Shirley Iverson at 218-280-2854.
