(KNSI) – The Initiative Foundation has awarded $85,200 in Joy & Connection grants to 18 organizations across Central Minnesota in 2026, including five in the St. Cloud area.
The grants support community-led projects designed to bring people together and create opportunities for belonging, healing and shared purpose. The funded work ranges from festivals and art workshops to mentoring, senior programs and youth leadership.
Locally, five organizations in St. Cloud and Avon received a combined $27,500.
The Avon Hills Folks School received $4,000 to host a community celebration that brings together Latino families, volunteers and community supporters for a day focused on healing, appreciation and connection. The event is intended to strengthen cross-cultural relationships while celebrating the contributions of Latino residents in Central Minnesota.
In St. Cloud, the Fahan Organization received $4,000 to offer culturally rooted wellness circles for Somali women that incorporate tea, storytelling, poetry and dance.
The First United Methodist Church of the St. Cloud Region received $7,000 for arts- and nature-based experiences that bring people together through creativity, cultural appreciation and outdoor exploration.
Heijeu, based in St. Cloud, received $5,000 to launch a mobile art program that brings creative experiences to seniors and residents in Royalton and Bowlus, encouraging self-expression in rural areas.
The Recovery Community Network received $7,500 to enhance an existing storytelling program, creating additional opportunities for celebration and peer support within the recovery community.
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