Community Funding

  • The 2024 application period is now open.
  • The application deadline is April 1, 2024.
  • The Junior League of Duluth provides funding to registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving the Twin Ports area agencies and organizations that fit within JLD’s vision and mission. In the past several years, JLD has awarded over $68,000 to area nonprofits.

Community Funding Process

Eligibility:

  • JLD provides financial support to registered 501(c)(3) non-profits serving the Twin Ports area.

Area of Focus:

  • The area of focus for funding this year includes helping to promote and strengthen women and children and may include projects in one of the following areas:
    • Education / Enrichment
    • Human Growth and Potential
    • Physical Fitness
    • Positive Self Image
    • Holistic Health
    • Parenting
    • Chemical Dependency
    • Eating Disorders
    • Total Wellness – Mind, Body, Spirit
    • Food Insecurity
    • Other

Policies & Guidelines:

  • Applications must be submitted via the online Project Proposal Form.
  • Requests are reviewed based on the application criteria, including alignment with the mission of Junior League, connection to the areas of focus, and meeting the submission deadline.
  • Requests will be reviewed and organizations will be notified by the end of April with funds dispersed in May.
  • Applicants will receive a reply stating whether or not an award has been granted. Please note application deadlines and process timeline described above. Other correspondence soliciting donations will be read and considered, however only official applications are guaranteed a response.
  • JLD requests that grant recipients submit a project update within one year of receiving grant funds. Selected sections of the Minnesota Common Report Form are required for the project update. JLD will contact grant recipients with instructions.

Questions can be directed to community.council.jld@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Junior League of Duluth.

Recent Grants Awarded:

2021 Community Funding:

Due to JLD not hosting their annual Festival of Trees fundraiser the tough decision was made to not give out grant funds with general funding. The Endowment Committee was able to provide grant funds through the Endowment Fund and Dale Heimbach Wheeler Fund. This allowed the Community Council to continue the traditional granting process with some changes. Natalie Burger, funding lead did a great job pivoting as needed throughout the process. Thank you to the Endowment Committee for partnering with the Community Council for this year’s granting process and decisions.

The Junior League of Duluth was able to provide $ 15,647 in grant funds to the following organizations:

  • JLD Membership Council – $500 for diversity, equity, and inclusion training   
  • CASDA – $1,000 for trauma-informed yoga program & yoga supplies   
  • CHUM – $2,500 for food shelf delivery program
  • Community Action Duluth – $3,000 for Seeds of Success – Mobile Market & EBT match program   
  • Damiano Center – $3,000 for produce and dairy products for community kitchen   
  • Duluth Community School Collaborative – $2,647 for food & hygiene product pantry
  • Life House – $1,500 for trauma conscious yoga program
  • PAVSA – $1,500 for trauma conscious yoga program

2020:

  • CASDA – $2,000 for meals and snacks for the shelter program
  • CHUM – $5,000 to stock the food shelf with fresh produce
  • Community Action Duluth – $5,000 for Power of Produce Club and EBT match program
  • Lake Superior Community Health Center – $2,975 for stocking the patient pantry with food and hygiene products
  • The Damiano Center – $3,000 for produce and dairy products for the Community Kitchen
  • Duluth Community School Collaborative – $3,000 for meals and snacks to provide at school programs
  • Family Forum, Inc – $1,000 for preschool nutrition program
  • PAVSA – $2,000 for kits of non-perishable foods to distribute to survivors and for food to provide support group attendees
  • Life House – $3,630 for outdoor planter project
  • Boys & Girls Club of the Northland – $2,000 for the Healthy Meals Program
  • North Country Ride – $2,500 to fund horse feeding needs
  • Great Lakes Aquarium – $2,000 to support the Bus Fund program
  • Duluth Community Garden Program – $5,000 to support communal garden program
  • Duluth Farmers Market – $2,000 for funding staff & terminal supplies
  • Leadership Duluth – Duluth Opioid – $500 for milestone gifts

Additional funding was granted to support hunger relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic:

  • Life House – $500
  • Damiano Center – $2,000
  • Second Harvest – $3,000
  • AICHO – $500
  • CHUM – $2,000
  • Ruby’s Pantry – $1,000
  • Boys & Girls Club – $2,000

 2019:

  • CHUM – $3,500 for the gardening program at the Steve O’Neil Apartments
  • Duluth Community School Collaborative – $3,500 for gardening programs and health-related activities in the Duluth Public Schools
  • Life House – $1,500 for the Meals in A Bag Program and the Farm Food CSA
  • Community Action Duluth/Seeds of Success – $4,000 for the Seeds of Success program to increase access to healthy, locally grown or produced food by continuing to operate farmers markets and by offering youth free fruit and/or vegetables through the Power of Produce (PoP) Club.
  • PAVSA – $2,500 to provide nutritious foods and snacks to clients.
  • Center Changing Lives – $4,920 to purchase Ruby’s Pantry shares and supplemental groceries for youth who have been homeless.
  • Armory Arts & Music Center – $1,000 for snacks, rent, and instructors’ wages.
  • The Boys & Girls Club of the Northland – $2,000 for the 2019 Healthy Meals Program
  • Damiano Center – $3,000 for food served at the Community Kitchen
  • Safe Haven – $5,000 to purchase a sanitizer
  • Duluth Area Family YMCA – $2,500 to support the weekend backpack program at the Harbor Heights Community Center