News

The Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF) is proud to announce the launch of its Youth in Philanthropy Program, a hands‑on leadership and grantmaking initiative that empowers local high school students to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of the Greater Itasca Area. Youth in Philanthropy places students at the center of real‑world philanthropy. Through the program, a select cohort of high school students will serve on a Youth in Philanthropy Advisory Board, gaining firsthand experience in how community foundations operate while helping direct real grant dollars to youth‑serving organizations across the region. Supported through GRACF’s annual Sparks

The Deer River Area Community Fund is inviting residents, businesses, and supporters of the Deer River area to make a lasting investment in their community through a new dollar‑for‑dollar matching opportunity that will permanently strengthen local giving. Thanks to a recent matching grant from the Blandin Foundation administered through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF), the Deer River Area Community Fund can leverage up to $50,000 in new endowment gifts over the next two years. Every dollar raised will be matched dollar‑for‑dollar by GRACF—doubling the impact of each gift and permanently increasing the fund’s endowment and annual grantmaking—for a

The Nashwauk Area Community Fund (NACF) awarded $10,750 in spring 2026 grants to support seven community projects benefiting the Nashwauk-Keewatin area, along with a $2,000 scholarship for a Nashwauk-Keewatin High School student. The scholarship recipient will be announced at a later date. Grant recipients included the GNK Basketball Boosters, which received $3,000 for equipment, gear, and medical and first aid supplies. The City of Keewatin was awarded two grants: $1,000 to support the Keewatin Police Department Bike Safety Program and $2,250 for bandstand repairs and improvements. Independent School District #319 also received multiple grants, including $1,000 for the STARBASE Innovative

Celebrate community, creativity, and connection at the May First Friday Art Walk with the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF). The featured artist will be Michelle Carlson, who fell in love with Rosemaling after seeing a traveling Vesterheim exhibit in 1992. She went on to study the traditional Norwegian art form through classes and ongoing learning. Michelle is a member of the Twin Ports Rosemaling Society in Duluth, MN, and the Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association in Stoughton, WI. She continues to learn from Vesterheim Gold Medal Rosemaling teachers in many different styles such as Rogaland, Telemark, Vest Agder, Os and Gudbrandsdal. GRACF will also be sharing beverages and delicious food from Triple C Company, and North in Bloom

Community members are invited to attend a fun but meaningful evening as Itasca County law enforcement officers and firefighters take to the ice for their annual hockey matchup on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 6:00 PM (doors open at 5pm) at Yanmar Area, 1401 NW 3rd Avenue, Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This event brings together two groups dedicated to serving the community, all while raising support for important local funds held at the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation (GRACF). Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Jim Gibeau Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to local students, and the Jayme “Rooster”