The Cook County Community Fund (CCCF) seeks nonprofits with project ideas for funding through its spring 2021 grant round. CCCF supports projects in health care, human services, arts, education and community initiatives. Grants generally range from $1,000 to $5,000. CCCF provides financial resources that promote new solutions for community issues, help people in need, promote community collaboration and impact a significant part of the community. 

The first step in seeking a grant is submitting a letter of intent to apply, which briefly outlines the project idea and allows fund officials to review the proposal. Letters are due by March 18 and can be submitted to dsacommunityfoundation.com, the website of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Nonprofits with letters that receive approval then can formally apply for a grant by the April 1 deadline, also through the website. 

To be eligible to apply, a nonprofit must be a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or classified under Section 170(c)(1).  Non-profits need not be located in Cook County but should demonstrate they have strong ties to Cook County and that the proposed initiative will directly impact Cook County.

In 2020, the Cook County Community Fund awarded a total of more than $22,000 in grants to local nonprofits, including The Cook County Council on Aging, The Grand Marais Playhouse, The Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Cook County ISD 166, The North Shore Collaborative, The Schroeder Area Historical Society, The Duluth Area YMCA, and the Violence Prevention Center.

“We continue to be pleased to witness how the Cook County Community Fund helps enrich the lives of people in Cook County based on supporting the creativity, energy and hard work of local non-profit organizations,” said CCCF Board President Leah Ekstrom, “We look forward to the considering the various ideas that 2021 grant applicants will bring forward as they seek our financial support.”

The Cook County Community Fund is a regional affiliate of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. It was created in 2003 to enhance the quality of life in Cook County by making philanthropic grants and providing leadership on community initiatives. CCCF Advisory Board members are Leah Ekstrom (Board Chair), Chris O’Brien (Board Vice Chair), Don Grant (Secretary/Treasurer), Virginia Palmer, Claire Smith, Lori Ericson, Dave Coleman and Eric Block.

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation makes grants to nonprofits and to individuals for scholarships and also provides leadership on important initiatives in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. Since its start in 1983, the Community Foundation has distributed more than $53 million and holds more than 400 funds. Learn more at dsacommunityfoundation.com.