Boreal Waters Community Foundation

06/18/2026

It’s here! A comprehensive calendar of remaining grant cycles for 2026 and all grant cycles for 2027.

Our hope is that this calendar helps nonprofits and community partners better plan ahead for upcoming funding opportunities through Boreal Waters.

🗓️View the full calendar:

Planning to apply for a Boreal Waters grant? Review the 2026–2027 Grant Cycle Calendar for key application windows, important updates and upcoming opportunities.

06/17/2026

06/16/2026

Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, culture, and Black joy🫂

Across the region, communities are coming together this week to honor Juneteenth through events that celebrate African Heritage cultures, history, and traditions. Boreal Waters is honored to support some of these community-led celebrations through the Unity Fund.

Events supported this year include:

• 6th Annual Iron Range Juneteenth Community Celebration - VEMA Community & Family Rsource Center
📅 June 19 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Virginia, MN

• 52nd Annual Juneteenth Celebration - Duluth Branch NAACP
📅 June 19 | 1–6 p.m. | Central Hillside Community Center, Duluth

• Honor Our Elders Luncheon - Health Equity Northland
📅 June 19 | 11 a.m. | Washington Center, Duluth

• Juneteenth Street Dance - Family Freedom Center
📅 June 20 | 2–7 p.m. | Central Hillside, Duluth

• St. Mark Father's Day Gospel Brunch - Health Equity Northland
📅 June 21 | 10 a.m. | Calvary Baptist Church, Duluth

We're proud to support the local leaders and organizations bringing these gatherings to life.

Learn more about each event and find links to official event pages in our recent blog post:
🔗: https://lnkd.in/ggKMTwga

06/15/2026

Summer has just arrived, and there’s a lot happening across our region ☀️💙

Juneteenth celebrations are coming up this weekend, with community events supported by our Unity Fund taking place in Duluth and Virginia.

We also want to extend a big thanks to all our nonprofit partners who joined us for our June 10th Nonprofit Social at Blacklist in Duluth! The next Nonprofit Social is coming up in Superior on August 4th.

🔗 Read the rest of our June Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g2sT8jyk

And stay updated on all of our community stories, opportunities, events, and more by subscribing to our newsletter below ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/borealwaters.org/subscribe

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06/11/2026

It was wonderful to see so many people come out for the Duluth Nonprofit Social!

We love the energy that fills the room when people who care deeply about this region have space to connect, and share their work.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We’re grateful for the work you’re doing every day to support our communities.

Next up: Superior! Join us on August 4 at Thirsty Pagan for our next Nonprofit Social. RSVP Here: https://dsacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?edt_id=2948

06/10/2026

The Unity Fund at Boreal Waters recently awarded $40,000 to support Juneteenth celebrations across our region.

These community-led gatherings honor history, uplift African Heritage communities and create space for connection, reflection, music, food, storytelling and joy.

The Unity Fund supports African Heritage individuals, families and organizations working toward equity and justice in our region. Guided by African Heritage community members, the fund invests in efforts that expand opportunity, strengthen belonging and support meaningful change.
Learn more about the Unity Fund: https://www.borealwaters.org/community-leadership/the-unity-fund

We invite you to join a local celebration, help spread the word and support the Black-led and community-rooted organizations bringing these gatherings to life.

See the full list of Juneteenth events supported by the Unity Fund: https://www.borealwaters.org/stories/juneteenth-2026

Unity Fund grants support community-led events honoring freedom, culture and connection.

06/09/2026

We’re big fans of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Duluth program, and this year, we had even more reason to cheer it on.

Last week, our Community Impact Specialist, Peter, graduated with the 2026 Leadership Duluth class and was selected by his peers to speak on behalf of the class. A pretty wonderful honor, and very well deserved.

Our CEO, Shaun, also helped kick off the final day with a talk on resilience, which, from what we understand from the photo, included something about outrunning a bear? Classic Shaun.

Leadership Duluth brings local professionals together to build leadership skills, deepen community connections and better understand the issues shaping our region. We’re grateful for programs like this that help grow thoughtful, connected leaders across Duluth and beyond.

Congratulations, Peter, and congratulations to the full 2026 Leadership Duluth class!

06/08/2026

A wonderful opportunity to connect with our friends at South Shore Community Fund for those who call northwest Wisconsin home!

You’re Invited!

Join us for For Good. Forever., a special community celebration hosted by the South Shore Community Fund.

This evening is an opportunity to connect with neighbors, learn about the positive impact being made throughout the South Shore, and celebrate the generosity that helps strengthen our communities for generations to come.

Whether you’re a longtime supporter, a community partner, or simply interested in learning more about local impact, we’d love to have you join us.

Please RSVP by using the QR code on the invitation or by contacting Kathryn Jensen at [email protected]

06/04/2026

Thanks to Luke at The North 103.3 FM for having Shaun on the Community Connection segment!

They talked affordable housing, putting local resources to work, bringing people together to move ideas forward, and how every investment has the potential to shape our region.

📻Listen in: https://www.thenorth1033.org/arts-culture/2026-06-04/community-connection-boreal-waters-community-foundation-update-with-shaun-floerke

And while we’re talking about bringing people together… our next Nonprofit Social is coming up Wednesday, June 10 from 4–6 p.m. at Blacklist Brewing Co. in Duluth! RSVP here: https://dsacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?edt_id=2947&fbclid=IwY2xjawSOenFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFqTDFGRWppNWIwUHVJN016c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjaV8uwQ2I0BNVoGQ326R0aY2PXsHf4stt1ewOCagINPapk1wv_x6p7v9n7__aem_1Ia5ci9D1-kOA7gqSeRsVw

Shaun Floerke, President and CEO of Boreal Waters Community Foundation, talks about current projects and finding meaning in philanthropic actions

06/03/2026

Nonprofit folks, this one’s for you! 🍻

No agenda. No panel. No PowerPoint. Just a casual chance to gather with other people doing good work in our region.

Join us for our next Nonprofit Social in Duluth!
📍 Blacklist Brewing Co.
📅 Wednesday, June 10
⏰ 4:00–6:00 PM

Whether you stay for ten minutes or the whole time, we’d love to see you there!

RSVP here: https://dsacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ticket?edt_id=2947