Mission
The fund supports initiatives that meet the changing needs of our community in the following areas: the arts, civic projects, education, the environment and human services. The fund may, from time to time, emphasize one area over another when emerging needs or opportunities require special attention. Within the areas of focus, projects receive priority if they:
- Are newly developed collaborative or organizational efforts that address budget or service deficiencies resulting from funding shortages
- Address underlying causes of community problems or prevent problems
- Require start-up funds
- Undertake studies on matters that impact civic issues or public policy
- Help organizations resolve crises within our community
- Build an organization’s program and/or management capacity or quality
- Respond to well-documented community needs and/or require a moderate amount of grant money but produce significant results
The following areas are of low priority and usually will not receive funding:
- Capital and equipment requests
- Ongoing program support
Grant awards from the Two Harbors Area Fund cannot provide long-term or permanent support for any purpose. Organizations must have the financial potential to sustain a program. More than one year of funding may be recommended to ensure the stability of a new organization or program.
Projects not eligible for funding include:
- Endowments
- Religious organizations for religious activities
- Medical research
- Debt retirement
- Requests from re-granting organizations for funding for their own grant-making
- Individuals
- Political organizations or campaigns
- Tickets for benefits
- Telephone solicitations
- Fundraising drives or activities
- Organizations that work to influence legislation as a substantial part of their purpose
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for funding, an organization must:
Be classified as one of the following:
- Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (i.e., traditional nonprofit)
- Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (e.g., governmental entities and schools)
- Section 7871 Tribal government
- Church
- Organization with a fiscal agent that is classified as one of the above
- Be located in or provide services to residents of the Two Harbors Area Fund’s primary service area, defined as the boundaries of the Two Harbors High School District. If more information or clarification is needed on the service area, applicants are encouraged to contact the Two Harbors Area Fund.
Grant range
Grants generally range from $500 to $10,000.
Application timeline
Spring 2025 Grant Cycle
- Open: January 3, 2025
- Close: March 3, 2025 at 5pm
- Project Start Date: June 1, 2025, or later
- Project End Date: No more than 12 months from the project start date
- Notifications: By May 21, 2025
- Funding Awarded: May 30, 2025
