TOWER— The Gundersen Endowment Fund Board has approved final policies and procedures for its community grant program and established a timeline to begin accepting applications.
At their recent meeting, the five-member board approved both operational policies and a grant application form that will guide the distribution of community funds. The decisions come as the board prepares to launch its first funding cycle under the restructured trust arrangement with the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation.
“I think the language in here is fine,” said Chair Bob Anderson, referring to the finalized policies that will govern grant distribution and accountability measures.
The board spent considerable time refining the application process to balance accessibility with appropriate oversight. The final application includes sections for project descriptions, organizational capacity, budget information, and supporting documentation, but trustees emphasized flexibility for different types of applicants.
Many of the new procedures came at the suggestion of the Boreal Waters Foundation, which provided sample grant applications, engagement letters, and a rubric for evaluating applications.
“I think she was pretty supportive of what we’re doing, and concurred with the approach we’ve taken,” said Secretary Aaron Kania.
The board also addressed practical considerations for potential applicants, recognizing the wide range of community needs they expect to encounter.
“I’ve got a lot of handwriting things from people around the city, and there is a vast assortment of quality of work,” said Tower Clerk-Treasurer Michael Shultz, referring to the wide range of responses the city receives when it solicits responses from the public. “Some people, it’s typed out, it’s written, it’s detailed. Other people, It’s three words.”
To address this variety, trustees committed to helping applicants who need help with the process, ensuring that good projects aren’t rejected simply due to problems with the application.
Several legal questions remain pending, particularly regarding the extent of city council oversight versus board autonomy in grant decisions, but Schultz said he expected to have more information before the next meeting.