West Central Initiative (WCI) is awarding more than $260,000 in Resiliency Fund Grants to 25 organizations working to create a more sustainable and equitable region.

Eight community members known for their work in sustainable development and promoting racial equity participated in awarding the dollars. “The community members who led this work are passionate about building healthy and vibrant communities for all, and that passion shows in the variety of projects supported,” said Director of Development Rebecca Lynn Petersen. 

Promoting an Equitable Region 

WCI awarded almost $110,000 in grants to the organizations below that serve and/or are led by people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC). 

  • Alexandria Technical and Community College Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Team 
  • Bam’idizowigamig Creator’s Place 
  • Conexiones 
  • Enrichment Operation programming for kids
  • Fergus Falls Public School District #544 
  • Habitat For Humanity, Douglas County 
  • Immigration Development Center 
  • Moorhead Adult Basic Education 
  • New York Mills Regional Cultural Center 
  • Otter Tail County 
  • P’s and Q’s 
  • Safe Families for Children 
  • Someplace Safe 
  • Wellness in the Woods 
  • Women’s Initiative Network of Liberia 
  • West Central Area Schools 

Building a Sustainable Region 

WCI awarded more than $150,000 in grants to the organizations below that are working to create a more sustainable region. 

  • Akiing 8th Fire 
  • First Congregational UCC Moorhead 
  • Hornets Hive dba CornerStone 
  • Ogema Organics 
  • Partnership4Health 
  • Pedal Fergus Falls 
  • Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute for Research, Innovation & Education 
  • Springboard for the Arts
  • Sustainable Farming Association of MN 

“This latest grant round brings our total amount of Resiliency Fund Grants to almost $970,000,” said President Anna Wasescha. “Driven by our strategic priorities and connected to the Sustainable Development Goals, grants are just one of many resources we offer to support our region’s families, communities, organizations, and businesses.”

To donate to the Resiliency Fund, visit old.wcif.org/donate. Your gift, of any amount, contributes to the economic and community health of west central Minnesota. Donations to the Resiliency Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law.