News and Events

June 4, 2026 – Sioux Falls, SD: The Midco Foundation has awarded more than $170,000 in grants to 103 nonprofits, schools and local governments across five states, supporting critical needs like food security, emergency services and youth programs during a time of rising demand. 

The organizations span 58 communities across Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin and represent the very best of the communities Midco serves.  

“We’re seeing more organizations step up to meet growing needs in their communities, resulting in a record number of grant applications,” said Rhonda Erickson, Senior Community Relations Manager and Midco Foundation Executive Director. “Whether it’s putting food on tables, supporting first responders or creating opportunities for kids, these grants help local organizations make a real, immediate difference.”  

The Foundation board, comprised of volunteer Midco team members, reviews and approves funding requests to charitable entities twice a year. Since 1988, the Foundation has awarded more than $6 million to causes within its service area. Themes from this round of giving include support for: 

Strengthening food security across the region: Investments supporting food shelves, meal programs and nutrition access initiatives, helping families meet basic needs in both urban centers and rural communities. 

Advancing education and workforce readiness: Grants to schools, robotics teams, early childhood programs and education foundations expand hands-on learning, STEM opportunities and pathways for future careers. 

Supporting health, wellness and human services: Funding bolsters organizations focused on mental health, addiction recovery, hospice care, adaptive recreation and services for vulnerable populations. 

Investing in youth development and mentorship: Programs that provide mentorship, after-school enrichment, youth sports and character-building experiences received strong support. 

Enhancing community safety and emergency response: Support for fire departments, search and rescue teams, law enforcement and emergency services strengthens local readiness and public safety infrastructure.  

The Midco Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations in the communities it serves to apply for future grants for special projects, facilities improvements, equipment and programs. Review the requirements, criteria and application at Midco.com/Foundation. Applications for the fall 2026 grant cycle will be accepted July 1 through August 14, 2026. 

The following list details the organizations receiving spring 2026 grants:  

Kansas 

• Happy Hearts Working, Inc.: $1,500
• Eudora Schools Foundation: $2,000
• Just Food: $10,000
• Deerfield Elementary PTO: $2,000
• Elizabeth B. Ballard Community Center: $1,500
• Family Promise of Lawrence: $1,500 

Minnesota 

• Becker Food Shelf: $1,500
• Team 4674 Bemidji High School Robotics: $1,000
• United Way of Bemidji Area: $1,500
• Greenway Raiders Archery: $1,000
• Canby Fire Rescue: $1,500
• United Way of Northeastern Minnesota: $1,500
• University of Minnesota Crookston Early Childhood Development Center: $1,500
• North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf: $1,500
• Elk River Police Department: $1,500
• Project 1590: $1,000
• Forest Lake Area Schools: $1,500
• KAOTIC Robotics Booster Club: $1,000
• Rock Ranch: $1,000
• Koochiching Technology Initiative: $1,500
• Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Schools: $1,500  
• Janesville Community Food Shelf: $2,500
• City of Lake Park: $1,500
• Big Sandy Lake Association: $1,500
• City of Minneota: $1,000
• BeLikeTommy Project: $1,500
• HOPE, Inc.: $1,500
• Ecumen Hospice: $1,500
• Prairie Five/Big Stone Lake Area Food Shelf: $1,500
• Pipestone County Food Shelf: $2,500
• Every Meal: $1,500
• Tree Top Kids: $1,500
• Orono Robotics Team: $1,000
• Business Arts and Recreation Center (BARC) Windom: $1,000 

North Dakota 

• Beulah Community Nursing Home: $1,500
• Birthday Beacon: $1,500
• Bis-Man Mentor Squad: $1,000
• Dakota Media Access: $1,500
• Daughters of the American Revolution: $1,500
• Heaven's Helpers Closet (701): $1,500
• Missouri Areawide United Way: $2,000
• Stepping Stone Ministries: $1,500
• Central Cass Robotics: $1,000
• Community of Care: $1,500
• Ramsey County: $1,500
• Lake Region Public Library: $1,500
• Dickinson Area Public Library: $1,500
• BIO Girls: $1,500
• Bridging the Gap: $2,000
• Essentia Health Fargo Foundation: $1,500
• Handi-Wheels Transportation Inc.: $1,500
• Heart-n-Soul Community Cafe: $1,500
• Community Foundation Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region: $1,500
• Grand Forks Parks & Recreation Foundation: $1,500
• HOPE Cares Care Center & Food Pantry: $1,500
• Lake Agassiz Elementary PTO: $1,500
• Sakakawea Medical Center: $1,500
• AID, Inc.: $1,500
• Local Motives: $1,500
• Lutheran Campus Ministry at Minot State University: $1,500
• Minot North High School Robotics Team: $1,000
• Mohall-Lansford-Sherwood Public School District #1: $1,500
• Junior Achievement North - North Dakota: $1,500
• Williston State College: $1,500 

South Dakota 

• Aberdeen Family YMCA: $2,000 
• Aspire: $1,500 
• The Salvation Army of Aberdeen: $1,500 
• Fun & Friends: $1,500 
• Gayville Community Fire Department: $1,500 
• Harrisburg School District Education Foundation: $2,000 
• Heartland Region Backpack Program: $1,500 
• Teach For America: $1,500 
• Lake County Historical Society and Museum: $1,300 
• City of Mitchell Recreation Center: $1,500 
• Mitchell Food Pantry: $1,000 
• Beef Logic Inc.: $1,500 
• Pierre Area Referral Service: $2,000 
• Meals on Wheels Western South Dakota: $1,500 
• Pennington County Search & Rescue Team: $1,500 
• The Salvation Army of the Black Hills: $1,500 
• VOA Northern Rockies (VOA) - Mommy's Closet: $1,500 
• Call to Freedom: $1,500 
• East River Legal Services: $1,200 
• Face It TOGETHER: $1,500 
• Feeding South Dakota: $1,500 
• Foster605: $1,500 
• Helpline Center: $1,500 
• Sioux Falls Hope Coalition: $1,500
• Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation: $1,500
• Special Olympics SD: $1,500
• Split Rock Fire Department: $1,500
• The Foster Network: $1,500
• The Gathering Well: $1,500
• The Salvation Army of Sioux Falls: $1,500
• Black Hills Special Services Cooperative: $1,600
• Boys & Girls Club of Vermillion: $1,500
• Glacial Lake Multicultural Center: $1,500
• The Salvation Army of Watertown: $1,500
• Yankton Contact Center: $1,500
• THE CENTER - Yankton Area Senior Citizen Center: $1,500 

Wisconsin 

• Westfields Hospital & Clinic Foundation: $1,500