Image: Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation

By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - April 24, 2026

This week, the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation announced that it awarded 21 grants, totaling $367,700, during the first quarter of 2026.

In a press release from the Foundation, the organization said that it was "particularly honored" to award Cook County Higher Education (CCHE) with a $70,000 grant, which will go toward scholarships and student support services. 

“Supporting educational opportunities for people in Cook County is an important part of our mission, and we are honored to partner with such an incredible organization as Cook County Higher Education,” stated Foundation Executive Director Erik Torch. 

According to the release, the Foundation has supported CCHE for over 25 years, awarding the organization over $1 million in grants for its continued work. 

“These funds have provided $465,000 in tuition scholarships for long-distance, post-secondary learning. In addition, grant funds have supported a dedicated staff person who works to support students in all aspects of their educational journey,” stated Karen Blackburn, executive director of Cook County Higher Education. 

Since establishing formal operations in 2007, the Foundation has awarded over $19 million in grants and over $1 million in scholarships to 109 students in Cook, Lake, and Southern St. Louis Counties, as well as the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa area. Most recently, the Foundation awarded $1.23 million, its largest grant, for the Band to purchase 87 acres of land from B. Van Johnson Trust and other family members. 

Here is a full list of the 2026 first-quarter grant recipients:

Two Harbors Community Radio, Two Harbors - $1,200
To support soundproofing for the radio station production studio and broadcast studio. 

Lake Superior Community Theatre, Silver Bay - $3,500

To support the production of a community-based theatrical performance engaging youth and regional audiences. 

Union Gospel Mission, Duluth - $3,500
To support collaborative efforts to better coordinate food access, shelter, outreach, and supportive housing services for people experiencing homelessness in Duluth. 

Care Partners of Cook County, Grand Marais - $30,000
To support Care Partners' services and programming to assist aging adults and their caregivers. 

Minnesota Land Trust, Duluth - $20,000
To support the Headwaters Partnership's community engagement and environmental justice work in the St. Louis River Estuary. 

Cook County Higher Education, Grand Marais - $70,000
To provide tuition scholarships for Cook County residents and support services provided by a dedicated Student Support Specialist position. 

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Duluth - $12,000
To support the Parish Nurse Program, which delivers accessible health information, screenings, and outreach for Central Hillside residents. 

Grand Marais Art Colony, Grand Marais - $65,000
To support general operating expenses for accessible arts programming and the purchase of Ella's Inn to provide student lodging. 

Duluth YWCA, Duluth - $10,000
To support the leadership of the Childcare Implementation Task Force and collaborative efforts to expand childcare access. 

Life House, Inc., Duluth - $25,000
To provide general operating funds to support comprehensive youth programs. 

Family Freedom Center, Duluth - $25,000
To provide flexible operating support for the Family Freedom Center’s youth programming and restorative practices programming. 

Two Harbors Area Food Shelf, Two Harbors - $15,000
To support essential food distribution services. 

Lake Superior YMCA, Duluth - $25,000
To support construction costs for the Hillside Early Learning Center, which will expand licensed child care capacity in the Hillside neighborhood. 

Superior Cycling Association, Grand Marais - $12,000
To strengthen organizational capacity and support the long‑term stewardship of Cook County mountain bike trails. 

Neighborhood Youth Services Inc, Duluth - $10,000
To support after-school and summer youth programming. 

Let's Plant Trees, Lutsen - $7,000
To provide free climate‑appropriate native seedlings and practical planting education to communities across northeastern Minnesota. 

The Nature Conservancy, Minneapolis - $15,000
To support forest restoration and resilience efforts along Highway 61 as well as planting in burned areas of Lake County. 

Spirit Of The Lake Community Arts, Duluth - $10,000
To improve SOLCA’s ceramics and kitchen facilities and provide a reliable space for local artists and food makers. 

ConnectAbility of MN, Waite Park - $3,500
To support the collection, preparation, and distribution of donated mobility and adaptive equipment at no cost to Duluth area community members. 

GND Development Alliance, Duluth - $3,500
To support the development of a new community playground for young children and families in the Gary–New Duluth community. 

City of Silver Bay, Silver Bay - $3,500
To support summer theater instruction programming for youth in Silver Bay.