United Way Bemidji Opens Grants for Beltrami Nonprofits, Deadline March 31

United Way of Bemidji Area has opened its impact grant application window for nonprofits that serve clients in Beltrami County, with applications due by 4 p.m. on Monday, March 31, according to the Bemidji Pioneer notice. Application materials and guidance are posted on the United Way of Bemidji Area’s grant-opportunities web page, and completed applications should be emailed to grants@unitedwaybemidji.org; questions can be directed to Annie at annie@unitedwaybemidji.org or by calling (218) 444-8929.

To qualify for consideration in the Beltrami County cycle, agencies must meet organizational requirements spelled out in the United Way release carried by the Bemidji Pioneer: “To be considered, agencies must be incorporated; not-for-profit and IRS tax-exempt with 501(c)3 documentation; be non-discriminatory; have active, rotating volunteer leadership that represents diverse elements of the Bemidji area; and have sound financial program management.” The Pioneer item notes those requirements are part of the eligibility review for the 2025 United Way of Bemidji Area grant application process open to Beltrami County agencies.

Local volunteer review is central to the process for Beltrami County applicants. The Bemidji Pioneer reports that “Applications, including financials, will be reviewed by a local volunteer committee, the Community Investment Cabinet. Members of the committee will make site visits to all applying agencies to ensure donor dollars are well spent and results are delivered,” and that “Final investment decisions will be approved by the United Way of Bemidji Area Board of Directors” with decisions slated for June.

United Way grants prioritize three community impact areas that nonprofits must align with when requesting funds. As described in a Tri County Canary release for a separate county cycle, that language reads: “Youth Opportunity – Preparing young people to realize their potential from cradle to career; Financial Security – Creating a stronger financial future for every generation; Healthy Community – Improving health and wellbeing for all.” Applicants for Beltrami County should be prepared to document how proposed services address needs within one or more of those priority areas.

Reporting from other outlets shows the United Way runs county-specific cycles with differing deadlines and funding notes, and those items conflict in places. Tri County Canary issued a Feb. 17, 2026 press release saying the Clearwater County cycle is open through 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026 and that funding for that cycle comes from dollars raised in Clearwater County through the 2025 Campaign for the Community. Park Rapids Enterprise carried a brief saying the Hubbard County cycle is open with an April 10 deadline and funds tied to Hubbard County’s 2025 Campaign. By contrast, a Grantexec listing for a 2025–2026 Hubbard County cycle cites a past deadline of 4:00 p.m. on April 18, 2025, an award range and a detailed document checklist.

Grantexec’s advisory includes a combined description of award size and paperwork that applicants should check against United Way’s current materials: “Awards will be distributed as one-time investments, typically ranging from $500 to $5,500 ... Required documents include a 3-page proposal, budget materials, partnership agreement, IRS determination letter, by-laws (if changed), most recent audit or financial statement, Form 990 or explanation of exemption, and proof of Minnesota charities registration.”

Because public notices vary by county and by source, nonprofits planning to apply for Beltrami County grants should use the United Way of Bemidji Area’s grant-opportunities page and submit completed packets to grants@unitedwaybemidji.org, and confirm eligibility, the March 31 deadline time and the required document checklist with Annie at annie@unitedwaybemidji.org or (218) 444-8929 before submitting. Final approvals for the Beltrami cycle are expected to be made by the United Way Board of Directors in June, with site visits conducted by the Community Investment Cabinet as part of the review.