The Northwest Area Foundation announced the four winners of its second annual Great Strides Award. The initiative recognizes the steps communities have already taken to reduce poverty for the long term. Each winner received a $100,000 award for their successes to date and has been offered a $40,000 grant to facilitate efforts to share lessons learned with other communities throughout the region. "Rural America faces tough economic challenges for a variety of reasons," said Karl Stauber, foundation president. "While there are some who either ignore or have given up on this vast national asset, we are impressed and encouraged by the significant strides rural communities are taking to address poverty at its roots." The winners:

• Dayton (Wash.) Chamber of Commerce and Community Task Force Teams
• Illinois Valley (Ore.) Community Development Organization
• Wallowa Resources (Enterprise, Ore.)
• Lemhi & North Custer Development Corporation (Salmon, Idaho)

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation awarded grants totaling $60,000 for support of the Emergency Assistance Program, which provides assistance and immediate funds for families in crisis who reside in the 12 counties served by NMF. The funds are disbursed to help maintain basic shelter, provide essential nutrition or medical attention, and help in obtaining clothing necessary for protection against the weather. More than half of the people who received assistance reported annual household income below $10,000. "The recent dramatic increase in energy costs is difficult for low-income households to absorb, as they already use a significant percentage of their household income for home heating costs," said foundation president John Ostrem. "The foundation's Emergency Assistance Program remains one of the few resources available to meet the crisis needs of families."

The Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation awarded 37 grants totaling $236,484 to nonprofit organizations in its nine-county service region in December. Grants of $10,000 or more:

• The Duluth-Superior Area Educational TV Corporation, $20,000 to support its Native American Heritage Series
• First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center, $25,000
• The Grant Community School Collaborative, $13,700 to support arts-enriched extended day programming
• Miller Dwan Medical Center Foundation, $10,000 to support Hospice House
• Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency, $10,110 for Transitional Housing Program

For a complete list of grants, visit dsacommunityfoundation.com.

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation awarded grants totaling $160,000 from September-December 2005. The awards represent the foundation's commitment to its priority areas: promoting economic advancement, productive aging, inclusive communities and philanthropy, and connecting youth and communities. Grants of $15,000 or more:

• Common Cup Ministry, $20,000 to implement a parish nurse program that promotes health and wellness through education, counsel and advocacy services
• Iftiin, Inc., $15,000 to fund a school liaison project to provide assistance with language and cultural issues and increase the community's knowledge and acceptance of East African cultures
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College, $25,000 to fund training in composite manufacturing and develop curriculum and training documentation

For a complete list of grants, visit swmnfoundation.org.