1. What is a community foundation?
A community foundation is a collection of many separate endowed funds established by individuals, families, private foundation, and business to enhance the quality of life in a local area. These funds are pooled and invested, and the earnings from the endowment are distributed as charitable grants.

2. How does the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation work?
The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation was founded in 1983. We fund programs and organizations which serve the residents in the seven counties of northeastern Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis) and the two counties of northwestern Wisconsin (Bayfield and Douglas). We are a tax-exempt public charity which is governed by a Board of volunteer civic and business leaders. We use professionals to invest and manage our assets and our expert staff knows the charitable needs of our community. We go beyond making grants to advance charitable activities through identifying current and emerging issues and stimulating resources to address those needs and help our region prepare for the future.

3. Who can apply for a grant from the Foundation?
To be eligible to apply for a grant from the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation a organization must be classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be classified as an organization to which contributions may be deducted under Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code; and be located in or provide services to residents within the seven counties of northeastern Minnesota (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake and St. Louis) and/or Douglas and Bayfield counties in northwestern Wisconsin. Some funds have further geographic restrictions.

4. What are the grant making interests of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation?
The Community Foundation administers a broad range of Unrestricted, Field of Interest and Donor Advised Funds and makes grants for a variety of purposes and projects. The largest fund, the Unrestricted Endowment Fund, is for projects that meet the changing community needs in the following areas: arts, community and economic development, education, environment and human services. The Board of Trustees may, from time to time, emphasize one interest area over another when emerging needs or opportunities require special attention. In addition, the Community Foundation makes grants from more than thirty other Field of Interest and Donor Advised Funds, with many varied criteria aimed at addressing a broad range of community needs.

5. What is the application process to submit a proposal to the Community Foundation?
The process begins with an inquiry to the Community Foundation, preferably through the website grants section, or by letter, phone or email to: grantsinfo@dsacommunityfoundation.com Most Community Funds have application deadlines on one or more of the following dates: February 1, April 1, August 1 and October 1. Board decisions regarding grant awards are made within 2 to 3 months following each deadline and funds may be used for projects that occur after funds have been awarded. If any of the deadlines dates fall on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be 5:00 p.m. on the first working day following the published deadline. Grant applications must be received by the Community Foundation office no later then 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. Proposals sent by facsimile and e-mail will not be considered.