Blandin Foundation

What 'third spaces' does your community have to offer? The term “third spaces” was coined by Minnesota sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the 1980s. Today, they often look like coffee shops, restaurants and places where people will gather, as MinnPost describes: https://bit.ly/4f8ytq8. Oldenburg felt they were essential to democracy and served an important function in society. There's a resurgence in the movement today, particularly across Minnesota. One initiative, Activate Rural Learning Lab through the Department of Public Transformation, is helping cultivate welcoming and creative physical places of connection in Redwood Falls, Buhl, Mahnomen, Jasper and Spring Grove. At the Yes! House in Granite Falls (featured in this article), one offering is a monthly Learn From Your Neighbor series, where locals share something about their interests and passions with a group. What places of creativity and connection exist in your community, or would you like to see? Comment below!

Mark your calendar for November 13th and the Center for Indian Country Development Data Summit hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. It's virtual and free. Join with leaders from Native nations and Indigenous communities, academic researchers, and policymakers to learn how Indian Country is expanding its data capacity and putting data in action. We're particularly eager to hear from Dustin Goslin (Pam-Mbwit-M'ko) on the topic of Tribal Governments: The Work of Being Sovereign. Dustin, a proud member of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation, is Chief People Officer at Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures and a Blandin Foundation Trustee. Find the full list of speakers and registration information: https://bit.ly/3Bk4Svj

Our friends at the Minnesota Humanities Center, thanks to funding from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, just announced an exciting new grant opportunity funding Community Identity & Heritage Festivals! Funds will go to organizations and individuals working to create, celebrate, and teach the art, culture, and heritage of diverse Minnesota communities. What an opportunity for some rural placemaking! We hope to see many recipients -- and beautiful events -- throughout Greater Minnesota! Application reviews will begin November 1st and award decisions will be made on a rolling basis through the application deadline on May 30th. Two information sessions remain: Friday 10/25 and Tuesday 10/29. Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3NxVx5J

We're pleased to unveil our recent building updates, designed to anchor our mission and further serve communities! The work is a blend of projects guided by a facilities long-range plan, adapting workspaces for changing workforce needs, and the Foundation’s commitment to provide meeting spaces that inspire community work and celebrate north-central Minnesota cultures and histories. Key new features include improved technology in meeting rooms; colors, styles and artwork with local nature and community themes; and building and landscape designs that reduce the our energy footprint. Many thanks to the regional companies that provided design and construction services to this project (stay tuned for artists and craftsperson recognition!), including: Widseth Design – Hibbing and Duluth Nor-Son Construction – Baxter office Intereum Inc – Commercial Furniture – Plymouth Innovative Office Solutions - Hibbing Smartt Interior Construction - Fargo A-1 Concrete and Masonry – Grand Rapids Eck Designs – Marble Northstar Cabinets and Woodworking – Grand Rapids/Kelliher Rapids Printing – Grand Rapids St. Germain’s Cabinet Inc. – Duluth The Caulkers Co. Inc. – Fridley Sell Hardware – Duluth Anderson Glass – Grand Rapids Davis Drywall – Bemidji Dorholt Tile and Home Center Inc. – Grand Rapids Schaeffer Acoustics, Inc. – Duluth Mangseth Painting – Grand Rapids Summit Fire Protection – Duluth Rapids Plumbing and Heating, Inc – Grand Rapids Hopkins Electric – Grand Rapids Lease Landscaping, Inc – Grand Rapids Shoreview Natives – Two Harbors Architectural Antiques – Minneapolis SND Appliances – Grand Rapids Performance Film – St. Cloud

What a way to start your day! From 8:30-9:00 a.m. every day next week, the University of Minnesota Extension will help you learn what engaging with your community means and the work-life benefits. Mon. 10/21 -- What is civic engagement, anyway, and what does that have to do with me? Tue. 10/22 -- Civic engagement: A brief history in scholarship and community. Wed. 10/23 -- Engaging today, part I: The current civic landscape Thu. 10/24 -- Engaging today, part II: Reclaiming your civic space Fri. 10/25 -- The future of civic engagement: Where do we go from here? Register in advance for all five free sessions, and choose to attend on any or all of the days. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining the session using Zoom: https://bit.ly/3BOrBzM

“Not really a divide but rather an interdependent space of social, economic, political and environmental interaction where our interests are really interwoven and not separate," describes Ellen Wolter to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. The University of Minnesota Extension civic engagement leader goes on to suggest that people living in these two worlds need to be allies in order to overcome these challenges. That can help rural and urban areas prosper together. Read more: https://bit.ly/4f7qHgn Eager to explore this interdependency further? The UMN Extension offers resources, a quiz, free webinars, a new podcast, and so much more: https://bit.ly/3zHfPqk

Thank you to the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Minnesota Council on Foundations for bringing the Joint Conference back last week! Several Blandin Foundation staff joined hundreds of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders from across the state for two days of cross-sector reflection, peer networking, honest conversation, and learning in St. Paul. Special gratitude to conference keynote speakers and breakout sessions hosts, including our own Daniel Lemm, chief financial officer. Did you attend? What learning are you bringing into your week and your work? Comment below and let's keep the energy flowing!

Monday, October 14th is Indigenous Peoples' Day, a state and federal holiday established to create space for commemoration, celebration and learning about Native people, culture and history. If you're looking for some educational resources, let us point you to our partners at the Native Governance Center, specifically their Beyond Land Acknowledgement Series, offering tips and tools to encourage a shift from words to action. Check it out: https://bit.ly/3YkieRq

Today, #WorldMentalHealthDay, we're looking to the Center for Rural Policy and Development and its latest report, "Youth Mental Health: Where parents can find help now." In the report, in addition to contextualizing the need and ongoing investments in mental health services access across rural Minnesota, CRPD offers up immediately available resources for parents and caregivers, including: 📖 Learning about mental health and mental illness in children, including protective factors and risk factors that shape their mental health for the rest of their lives. 🍎 Exploring mental health services at your school, as many host providers already are able to support children and families in a familiar school environment. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/3ZUD8Ya

Here's a new opportunity from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development aimed at reducing the childcare shortage in our state: Through its Child Care Community Partnerships Office, grant awards of up to $600,000 can be used for child care business start-up, expansion or retention, provider training, facility modifications, employee retention, improvements required for licensing, and assistance with licensing and other regulatory requirements. At least half of the available grant funds will go to communities located outside the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Proposals for Child Care Economic Development grants will be accepted through Oct. 31. Learn more and explore other competitive grants: https://bit.ly/3D9Q8N3