Northland Foundation Awards Grants by and for Youth

The Northland Foundation, Duluth, recently awarded several grants by and for youth through its KIDS PLUS Program, which is designed to improve the well-being of children and youth in northeastern Minnesota.

The foundation's KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy Board, which is comprised of 14 young people and three adults, has awarded new grants to support several youth-developed projects in northeastern Minnesota. The board awarded $1,000 grants to both Floodwood Community Education, Floodwood, to support a leadership and team-building program for the eighth-grade class, and McGregor KIDS PLUS, McGregor, for an intergenerational community theatre program.

Other recipients of the Youth In Philanthropy Board's latest grants are:

• East High School - ISD #709, Duluth, $375 to promote school spirit through youth leadership activities.
     
• Floodwood School District - ISD #698, Floodwood, $500 to support experiential learning opportunities for students in grades 5-6.
     
• Marcell Family Center Foundation, Inc., Marcell, $550 to provide after-school opportunities for children and youth at the Marcell Family Center.
    
• Valley Youth Center, Duluth, $870 for a one-on-one mentoring program that connects high school students with elementary students for friendship and fun.

In 2000, the Northland Foundation collaborated with its long-time partner, Minnesota Power, to launch the KIDS PLUS Youth In Philanthropy Program. The goal of the program is to teach young people about the art of giving and the importance of civic involvement.

In the fourth quarter of 2003, Northland Foundation also awarded new grants through its KIDS PLUS Program to support KIDS PLUS activities in several communities:

• Cook KIDS PLUS, $17,854 to provide of variety of activities for young people to remain actively engaged in their community.
     
• Cromwell-Wright KIDS PLUS, $4,000 to support the KIDS PLUS Community Coordinator position.
     
• McGregor KIDS PLUS, $17,800 to provide after-school activities for elementary school students.
     
• Moose Lake KIDS PLUS, $4,684 to support the After-School Enrichment Program for children and youth in grades 3-6.

For a complete list of grants awarded by the Northland Foundation from Oct. through Dec. 2003, visit the foundation's Web site.

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