2025 Blaze Credit Union Community Impact Grant

The Blaze Credit Union Foundation is accepting applications for our Community Impact Grant supporting charitable organizations that share our mission and passion for providing resources to the communities we serve and help empower people to be strong, financially stable, and healthy. 

 The Blaze Community Impact Grant online application

Our Community Impact Grant is limited to charitable organizations whose work closely aligns with at least one of our three priority funding focus areas for this grant: 

• Community and Economic Development 

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 

• Informal Education - Supporting life skills & financial well-being for all. 

Grant submissions for work outside the focus areas will not be considered. Please note that requests for recurring operational expenses are not funded. Community Impact Grants will range between $500 - $10,000. Grants will be awarded based on potential community impact and the applicant organization's eligibility and needs. Grants will be awarded until all available grant funds have been expended. Awarded applicants must sign a grant agreement that clarifies the legal parameters for the use of the grant funds. They must also agree to submit bi-annual grant reports to show the project/program results and that all the funds have been spent as intended. 

All grant applicants will be notified of their approval or denial status by August 31, 2025. 

All applicant organizations must: 

• Be a current tax-exempt status as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, listed on the IRS Master File, classified as a public charity under Section 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) (Types I or II); and 

• Be current with all state and federal reporting requirements; and 

• Engage in charitable activities that meet the Community Impact Grant priority funding focus areas listed above; and 

• Operate and conduct their charitable activities in at least one (1) or more of the communities served by Blaze Credit Union, including the Minnesota and Wisconsin counties of Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Burnett, Carlton, Carver, Chisago, Crow Wing, Dakota, Douglas, Faribault, Freeborn, Hennepin, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, LeSueur, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pierce, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, St. Croix, St. Louis, Stearns, Steele, Waseca, Washington, or Wright.

• Not deny service, participation, membership, or other involvement in their charitable activities based on race, religion or religious beliefs, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, political affiliation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, veteran, or disability status. 

If selected, your organization must provide bi-annual updates to the Foundation for two years, or until the project is complete. If the updates are not received this may impact your eligibility in future grant rounds. 

Contact: 

Questions about Community Impact Grants should be directed to Tina Jones, AVP Financial Empowerment, Vice Chair Blaze Credit Union Foundation at [email protected] or 651-789-3061.