Northland Foundation invites applications for Promise Act Grant Program

The Northland Foundationin Duluth, Minnesota, has announced the Promise Act Grant Program, which will make $1.1 million in grants available to eligible northeast Minnesota businesses and nonprofit organizations.Competitive grants from $10,000 to $50,000 from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development(DEED) will be awarded to applicants in communities adversely affected by lack of access to capital, loss of population or an aging population, structural racial discrimination, civil unrest, and/or lack of regional economic diversification.The program is aimed at currently operating businesses with annual gross revenues of $10,000 to $750,000 as documented in their 2021 tax returns. If the business was established after 2021, it must show revenues of $750,000 or less based on the 2022 tax year. If awarded, successful, eligible applicants with documented 2022 revenues of at least $10,000 but no more than $100,000 may receive a $10,000 grant, at least $100,000 but no

more than $350,000 may receive a $25,000 grant, and at least $350,000 but no more than $750,000 may receive a $50,000 grant. Nonprofit organizations may apply provided they earn 30 percent or more of revenues on an ongoing basis through non-tax-deductible sales or dues in a fee-for-service model as reflected on their Form 990 and meet other eligibility guidelines.Funding may be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business.Applications will be accepted from businesses with a primary location in the Minnesota counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis or the Tribal nations of Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Leech Lake (District I), and Mille Lacs (District II). Businesses with primary locations outside this region may apply in the region in which they are headquartered.For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Northland Foundation website.