Grantseekers

Guidelines

grant seekers

Northfield Shares is grateful for the extraordinary generosity of its donors to provide funding to local non-profit organizations. While we may not be able to fully fund or support every request we receive, we encourage all to apply. Proposals are reviewed and rated by the Grants Committee and the Board in terms of:

eligibility and conformity to the grant guidelines
ability to maintain and enhance the overall well-being of our community
capacity and ability to successfully manage funds and execute proposal

Annual Permanent Endowed Funds Criteria

Project and/or effort proposed is worthwhile/needed, feasible as presented, and organization can likely achieve project goals
Organizations and projects generating the biggest multiplier effect (e.g., investment creates positive ripple effect for human and/or social gains, involves volunteers, leverages other funds, added value from multiple organizations collaborating)
Organization is providing vital assistance within the Northfield community to sustain a thriving, equitable community for all residents
The Grace Whittier Fund is donor-designated to support recreational opportunities for Northfield youth. Note: This grant has its own guidelines.
The Nutting Beautification Fund is donor-designated for the beautification of Northfield.
The Bill Clifford Family Legacy Fund is focused on helping young people (teens and young adults) reach their full potential.
The Engseth-Rinde Restoration Fund supports habitat restoration silviculture, related ecological and social research and related education projects focusing on units of the prairie creek wildlife management area or other properties located in a corridor between Nerstrand and Dennison, MN.

VIEW FAQ APPLY HERE

Our Process

The online grant application is currently open. Applications are due Monday, October 3, 2022. Grant application questions can be downloaded in a Microsoft Word format. To download a Microsoft Word version of the application questions beforehand, CLICK HERE.

Click here for a copy of the questions in Espanol.

Grant Application

Once a completed grant application is received, careful consideration is given to each request. The Grants Committee and Board will use the Review and Rating Information in the review process.

A Spanish application is available here.

Application Review

Each application recommendation is reviewed by the committee in terms of its general eligibility and conformity to the grant guidelines, available funds and project feasibility. The committee presents its recommendations to the Northfield Shares Board of Directors for final approval. We operate based on principles of integrity, trust, transparency and accountability.

Recipients Announced

Grants are awarded once a year. Applications are due in October, awards are announced in November, and funds are distributed by the end of the calendar year. Save the Date: Northfield Shares’ Annual Meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 8 when recipients will be recognized and checks presented.

Apply

Thank you for your interest in applying for a grant from Northfield Shares!

Before you begin your application, we encourage you to review our grant guidelines.

APPLY HERE GRANT GUIDELINES

We expect grantees to:

Report back to Northfield Shares by completing the Final Impact Report by the end of our grant cycle (September 30), and send it along with photos of your project to carriecarroll@northfieldshares.org.
Return any unused funds at the end of the grant cycle to Northfield Shares, unless the grant recipient has been given an extension in writing.

A few items of note:

The online grant application will open on July 1st.
The deadline for submitting an application is October 3rd.
All applications must be completed online. You may review Grant Application Questions beforehand by downloading a Microsoft Word file.
Applicants may be asked for additional information during the review process.
Applicants will be notified in late fall of the grant decisions, with funds being disbursed by end of the calendar year.
Successful grantees will be expected to sign a Grant Agreement prior to funds being disbursed.
Grant Impact Reports are due by September 30, following receipt of a grant. Previous grant recipients must send their Grant Impact Report before submitting a new application for grant funding.