By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
Northfield’s community foundation, Northfield Shares, has been busy in 2025 giving out several grants to organizations in the community. Among the organizations receiving funds are the Healthy Community Initiative’s TORCH program, the Community Action Centers Youth emergency Shelter, the Riverwalk Market Fair, Project Friendship, the Northfield Rotary Club, Rice County Habitat for Humanity, and Great Day Farm among many other organizations.
“Northfield Shares is honored to partner with these incredible organizations whose work makes a lasting difference,” said Carrie Carroll, Executive Director of Northfield Shares. “Each grant we distribute reflects our commitment to creating a brighter future for Northfield by addressing key community challenges and opportunities. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected community.”
(left) Northfield Shares donation to TORCH, (right) Northfield Shares donation to Riverwalk Market Fair. Pictures from Northfield Shares.
Many of the different grants were funded through investment funds that Northfield Shares has set up for donors. The foundation noted that one of its core operations is to provide an opportunity for donors to create permanent funds to “meet the present and future needs of the community.” Donors are able setup funds that meet a specific need in the community or give to Northfield Share’s general Community Fund.
The organization states that it has invested $5.5 million in the community in the last 10 years. This year the foundation is giving $262,000. You can learn more about the organization by going to their website: https://northfieldshares.org/
Full list of organizations receiving grants this year (from the Northfield Shares website):
- A Great Day Farm: Offering therapeutic agricultural experiences to individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion and personal growth.
- Clean River Partners: Building environmental, personal, and community health through volunteerism.
- Community Action Center: Supporting the creation of a Youth Emergency Shelter in Northfield, the Youth Sports Collaborative offering sports scholarship dollars for children and families in need, and supporting Operation Backpack.
- Dakota Prairie ABE: Opening digital doors for adult learners by purchasing and updating technology.
- EmpowHER: Advancing gender equity by equipping women and youth in Northfield with resources and leadership development opportunities.
- FiftyNorth: Designated funds providing operational support for senior programming.
- Friends of Prairie Creek: Providing land restoration to control invasive species at Engeseth Rinde and Koester Prairie Land.
- HealthFinders Collaborative: Expanding behavior health services in the Northfield Area.
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Restoring natural spaces from cropland to its native prairie ecosystem and supporting local environmental education initiatives to benefit future generations.
- Northfield Public Library: Designated funds to support youth programs.
- Northfield Public Schools for Scholarships: Opening doors to higher education for local students through scholarships that help them pursue their academic dreams as educators.
- Northfield Rotary for Rice County assisting Rice County Habitat for Humanity: Assisting 50 low-income homeowners to undergo energy audits and performing weatherization on qualified homes.
- Northfield Union of Youth (The Key): Creating a welcoming space for local teens to connect and thrive, including family meals and youth development initiatives.
- Northfield Area Family YMCA: Designated funds for operational support.
- Riverwalk Market Fair: Expanding food accessibility through Farmers’ Markets on Northfield’s north side.
- St. Dominic Church: Designated funds providing discretionary support.
- St. Dominic School: Designated funds to support the school’s endowment.
- This Is Me: Supporting foster children in developing their identities, empowering them with tools for self-discovery and confidence.
- TORCH (Tackling Obstacles and Raising College Hopes): Fostering educational success and college readiness among immigrant and underrepresented youth in Northfield.
- Women in Northfield Giving Support (WINGS): Designated funds providing operational support.
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