The Oktoberfest gathering listen intently as Sarah Waddle of North House Folk School explains how Community Foundation grant dollars were used for youth programs.  All photos: Boreal Community Media.

From Boreal Community Media - September 26, 2019.

The Oktoberfest Celebration Event is the major fundraising event of the year for the Cook County Community Foundation (CCCF).  During the Oktoberfest event, a portion of proceeds of sales at Voyageur Brewing go to the Foundation.  Voyageur Brewing's Oktoberfest runs through Sunday.

Wednesday night members of the community joined Community Foundation Board Members under the beer tent at Voyageur Brewing for a community impact presentation from recent CCCF grant recipients.

Representatives from the Grand Marais Playhouse, Cook County YMCA, North House Folk School, the Oral Health Task Force, Care Partners, Great Expectations School and Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center gave overview presentations of how CCCF grant dollars were deployed in programs to improve the Cook County experience.

Monica Bruning, Chief Operating Officer of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation explained how they work to support their affiliates such as the Cook County Community Foundation.


The Cook County Community Foundation wishes to send their grateful thanks to these business sponsors for their support of the Oktoberfest event.

Barrel level ($1000+) - 
Voyageur Brewing and Bluefin Bay Family of Resorts

Keg level ($500-$999) - 
Grand Marais State Bank

Growler level ($250-$499) - 
Hungry Jack Outfitters, Tuscarora Lodge and Outfitters, Northstar Canoes, Bearskin Lodge, Coldwell Banker, Johnson's Foods, Cascade Vacation Rentals, Boreal Community Media and Cook County Whole Foods Co-Op.

Pint Level ($100-$249) - 
Java Moose, Trail Center, Karen Halbersleben & Jack Miller, North Shore Federal Credit Union
Earlier in 2019, The Cook County Community Foundation announced its 2019 grant recipients as the Foundation distributed $20,000 in funds to help benefit health, education, arts and youth programs.

The organizations that received grants, their funding levels and projects were:

• Care Partners of Cook County, $3,500 for Mindfulness for Caregivers, an eight-week program that supports dementia patient caregivers. 
• Grand Marais Arts Inc., $3,000 for the Community Art Access Entry Point programs, which promotes access to the Arts for young people. 
• Great Expectations School, $3,000 for an ACEs Workshop for School Staff who work with children who have experienced trauma or other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), supporting improved social, behavioral, and academic success.
• Gunflint Trail Historical Society, $1,500 for Program Materials for School/YMCA Group Visits to the Chik-Wauk Museum.
• North House Folk School, $3,000 for the North House Folk School Youth Program, to provide scholarships to the Summer Kids Camp and the Handworks Club, promoting meaningful engagement with craft for local youth. 
• North Shore Health Care Foundation, $3.000 for the Oral Health Task Force to provide additional support and education to meet increased community interest. 
• YMCA of Duluth, $3,000 for the Youth, Teen & Family Program Starter Package, providing space and programs that engage youth ages 8-15 in positive and healthy activities.

To learn more, visit the Cook County Community Foundation Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/CookCountyCommunityFund/