Grants

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The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation offers four Quarterly Grant cycles per year for funding requests over $3,500. Small Grant Proposals of $3,500 or less are accepted year-round.

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Who We Fund
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What We Fund
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When We Fund
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Where We Fund
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How We Fund

Who We Fund

Organizations applying for grants must be designated as one of the following:

  • Nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) designation by the IRS
  • A public entity such as a school district, local unit of government, or Native Nation
  • An organization working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the fiscal sponsor

What We Fund

Aligned with our mission to expand opportunities for people and communities on the North Shore, the Foundation seeks to support efforts that create lasting impact across a wide range of interest areas. To learn more about the organizations and projects we fund, or to see a listing of past grants, visit our Past Grants Page.

Interest Areas

  • Social Welfare: To support the health and well-being of all members of the community and to support activities that promote healthy youth development.
  • Arts and Culture: To support activities that contribute to the creation and development of a healthy and vibrant arts community including new and traditional forms of the visual, performing and interdisciplinary arts.
  • Education: To support activities that contribute to the development and advancement of quality educational and training opportunities, and to promote opportunities for life-long learning.
  • Community and Economic Development: To enhance the economic and social well-being of all residents and to support opportunities for economic self-sufficiency, particularly for individuals and families with low incomes.
  • Environment: To support educational programs that promote respect for the natural environment and encourage efforts to maintain quality air, water and land resources for future generations.

    What We Don’t Fund

    Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation grants may not be used for election campaigns, lobbying activities, or direct religious purposes. The Foundation does not make grants to private foundations, businesses, or individuals.

    When We Fund

    Our inquiry window for each grant quarter wraps up on December 10th, March 10th, June 10th, and September 10th. Please reach out any time before these dates so we can schedule a time to connect. We’d love to hear about your proposed project!

    If you are invited to apply after your inquiry, applications are due by 5 pm on the 15th of January, April, July, and October. If the 15th lands on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted until 5 pm the next business day.

    Where We Fund

    Organizations must be located in or providing services to residents within Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties (Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown areas), and the Grand Portage Native nation.

    How We Fund

    We provide grants in several categories to support organizations in achieving their goals:

    Types of Grant Support

    • General Operating: Unrestricted funding that allows an organization to carry out its mission.
    • Project/Program Support: Funds are designated to a specific project or program.
    • Capacity Building: Funds are designated toward strengthening skills or building resources.
    • Capital Support: Funds are used specifically for purchasing, renovating, or construction of facilities/equipment.

    Length of Grant Period

    • The length of each grant will vary based on the individual request and grant needs.
    • For most grants, the grant period will be one calendar year, beginning on the first day of the month after the grant is awarded.
    • For project requests, the grant period will align with the project timeline and will start no earlier than the first day of the month following the grant award date.

    Grant Payments

    • Funds will be paid in full after the request is approved and a grant agreement is signed.
    Learn More

    The Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation offers four Quarterly Grant cycles per year for funding requests over $3,500. Small Grant Proposals of $3,500 or less are accepted year-round.

    Who We Fund

    Organizations applying for grants must be designated as one of the following:

    • Nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) designation by the IRS
    • A public entity such as a school district, local unit of government, or Native Nation
    • An organization working with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving as the fiscal sponsor
    What We Fund

    Aligned with our mission to expand opportunities for people and communities on the North Shore, the Foundation seeks to support efforts that create lasting impact across a wide range of interest areas. (Keep this >) To learn more about the organizations and projects we fund, or to see a listing of past grants, visit our Past Grants Page.

    Interest Areas

    • Social Welfare: To support the health and well-being of all members of the community and to support activities that promote healthy youth development.
    • Arts and Culture: To support activities that contribute to the creation and development of a healthy and vibrant arts community including new and traditional forms of the visual, performing and interdisciplinary arts.
    • Education: To support activities that contribute to the development and advancement of quality educational and training opportunities, and to promote opportunities for life-long learning.
    • Community and Economic Development: To enhance the economic and social well-being of all residents and to support opportunities for economic self-sufficiency, particularly for individuals and families with low incomes.
    • Environment: To support educational programs that promote respect for the natural environment and encourage efforts to maintain quality air, water and land resources for future generations.

      What We Don’t Fund

      Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation grants may not be used for election campaigns, lobbying activities, or direct religious purposes. The Foundation does not make grants to private foundations, businesses, or individuals.

      When We Fund

      Our inquiry window for each grant quarter wraps up on December 10th, March 10th, June 10th, and September 10th. Please reach out any time before these dates so we can schedule a time to connect. We’d love to hear about your proposed project!

      If you are invited to apply after your inquiry, applications are due by 5 pm on the 15th of January, April, July, and October. If the 15th lands on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted until 5 pm the next business day.

      Where We Fund

      Organizations must be located in or providing services to residents within Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties (Duluth, Proctor, Hermantown areas), and the Grand Portage Native nation.

      How We Fund

      We provide grants in several categories to support organizations in achieving their goals:

      Types of Grant Support

      • General Operating: Unrestricted funding that allows an organization to carry out its mission.
      • Project/Program Support: Funds are designated to a specific project or program.
      • Capacity Building: Funds are designated toward strengthening skills or building resources.
      • Capital Support: Funds are used specifically for purchasing, renovating, or construction of facilities/equipment.

      Length of Grant Period

      • The length of each grant will vary based on the individual request and grant needs.
      • For most grants, the grant period will be one calendar year, beginning on the first day of the month after the grant is awarded.
      • For project requests, the grant period will align with the project timeline and will start no earlier than the first day of the month following the grant award date.

      Grant Payments

      • Funds will be paid in full after the request is approved and a grant agreement is signed.

      Application Process

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      Step 01
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      Step 02
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      Step 03
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      Step 04
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      Step 05

      Step 01: Inquiry

      The first step in the application process for new applicants is to complete our Applicant Readiness Tool.

      For organizations meeting eligibility, the next step will be to contact our Grant Program Officer, Erica Kirsch to start an inquiry conversation. Please send a brief email to ekirsch@lkjf.org including the following info:

      1) Organization name and location

      2) A brief description of the proposal and community or population served

      3) Anticipated request amount

      Grant program staff may want to connect with you to learn more about your proposal over a phone/video call.

      Inquiry applicants will be notified no later than one month before the application deadline if invited to submit a written proposal for the upcoming grant round.

      Please note that the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation is unable to fund all inquiries to apply even if they meet program guidelines as funding requests often exceed available funding.

      Applicant Readiness Tool

      Step 02: Application

      Encouraged proposals will be invited to submit a grant application according to the timeline above.

      Step 03: Review & Site Visit

      LKJ staff will review applications and may request additional info as needed, especially if the proposed project is complex.

      Quarterly Grants:

      Foundation staff and a Board member will conduct a site visit to connect with you and learn more about your organization and proposal.

      Small Grants:

      A site visit is typically not required for small grants.

      Step 04: Approval & Grant Agreement

      Quarterly Grants:

      Following the review process, Foundation staff will prepare a written recommendation for the Board of Directors, who will make the final decision on quarterly grant applications.

      Small Grants:

      Applications will be reviewed by Foundation staff. A decision can be expected within 10 days.

      After being notified of the Foundation’s decision, grant recipients will receive a grant agreement to review and sign before a payment is issued. Grants are paid in full after the agreement is signed.

       

      Step 05: Final Report

      We love hearing about the ways in which LKJ grant funds have helped to support your work! We value your honest and critical feedback. Final reports will include a narrative update on the progress made toward grantee identified goals and outcomes as well as a final project budget/expense report.

      You will receive an e-mail reminder to inform you that your Final Report is due one months before the due date. You can also access your Final Report anytime through the online portal system.

      View the Final Report Questions here.

      Application Process

      Step 1: Inquiry

      The first step in the application process for new applicants is to complete our Applicant Readiness Tool.

      For organizations meeting eligibility, the next step will be to contact our Grant Program Officer, Erica Kirsch to start an inquiry conversation. Please send a brief email to ekirsch@lkjf.org including the following info:

      1) Organization name and location

      2) A brief description of the proposal and community or population served

      3) Anticipated request amount

      Grant program staff may want to connect with you to learn more about your proposal over a phone/video call.

      Inquiry applicants will be notified no later than one month before the application deadline if invited to submit a written proposal for the upcoming grant round.

      Please note that the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation is unable to fund all inquiries to apply even if they meet program guidelines as funding requests often exceed available funding.

      Step 2: Application

      Encouraged proposals will be invited to submit a grant application according to the timeline above.

      Step 3: Review & Site Visit

      LKJ staff will review applications and may request additional info as needed, especially if the proposed project is complex.

      Quarterly Grants:

      Foundation staff and a Board member will conduct a site visit to connect with you and learn more about your organization and proposal.

      Small Grants:

      A site visit is typically not required for small grants.

      Step 4: Approval & Grant Agreement

      Quarterly Grants:

      Following the review process, Foundation staff will prepare a written recommendation for the Board of Directors, who will make the final decision on quarterly grant applications.

      Small Grants:

      Applications will be reviewed by Foundation staff. A decision can be expected within 10 days.

      After being notified of the Foundation’s decision, grant recipients will receive a grant agreement to review and sign before a payment is issued. Grants are paid in full after the agreement is signed.

      Step 5: Final Report

      We love hearing about the ways in which LKJ grant funds have helped to support your work! We value your honest and critical feedback. Final reports will include a narrative update on the progress made toward grantee identified goals and outcomes as well as a final project budget/expense report.

      You will receive an e-mail reminder to inform you that your Final Report is due one months before the due date. You can also access your Final Report anytime through the online portal system.

      View the Final Report Questions here.