Community Contributions

Essentia Health has a more than 20-year history of investing in communities across our service area. We support projects and programs that improve health in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. 

We prioritize partnering with non-profit organizations working to address social determinants of health that:

• Help the under-served and minority populations
• Build healthy communities
• Improve quality of life

In 2021, Essentia donated more than $1.5 million dollars to the communities we are privileged to serve, impacting more than 100 organizations. We are proud to highlight several of the organizations who are making a healthy difference below:

Child & Youth Development

• $624,000 to 23 organizations supporting healthy child and youth development, reduction of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) and asset building for youth including:
  o A multi-year commitment to Valley City School District in North Dakota
  o A youth bike program in Ashland, Wisconsin
  o Duluth’s YWCA’s Girl Power
  o Northland Youth Basketball Alliance
  o CornerStone Community and Youth Center
  o Increasing child-care efforts in Fosston with Prairie Pines Childcare Center

Housing

• $588,000 to eight housing organizations working to address keeping community members housed including:
  o Cass Clay Community Land Trust
  o Bob Tavani House for Medical Respite
  o Lutheran Social Services of MN
  o One Roof Community Housing
  o Habitat for Humanity
  o MN Assistance Council for Veterans

Food Access

• $415,000 to 25 organizations addressing food insecurity including:
  o American Indian Community Housing Organization’s Indigenous Food Markets
  o Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank
  o Duluth’s Farm to School program
  o Great Plains Food Bank
  o Damiano Center’s Community Kitchen
  o Farmers markets in Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, Duluth, and Grand Rapids

Mental Health

• $182,000 to 11 organizations increasing access to mental health services, awareness for available support, stigma reduction, and training including:
  o FirstLink
  o Life House
  o Northland Foundation
  o Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault
  o Range Mental Health Center
  o Soul Solutions Recovery Center

Active Living

• $108,00 to ten organizations supporting active living and healthy lifestyles including:
  o City of Deer River’s walking trail
  o Chester Bowl Improvement Club
  o Superior Douglas County Family YMCA
  o Get Fit Itasca
  o East Central School District’s wellness center upgrade

How to Apply

If your organization is seeking funds to achieve these goals, get started by filling out an application.

Apply for Funding

For more information or questions about the application process, please contact Essentia Health Community Contributions at CommunityContributions@EssentiaHealth.org.

Or call us for more information about grant funding programs in your area:

• Northeast Minnesota & Northwest Wisconsin: 218-786-3189
• Central Minnesota: 218-828-7362
• Eastern North Dakota & Western Minnesota: 218-786-3189