Community Health & Resources

• Are you designated as a tax-exempt organization under the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), or do you have a fiscal sponsor who is a tax-exempt organization?

• Will your proposal address at least one of the focus areas outlined in the most rece Community Health Implementation Strategy Plan?

  • Promoting access to resources and care

  • Improving quality of life

  • Enhancing the built environments

• Does your organization serve residents in one or more of Lakewood’s key service area communities or broadly serve people in Minnesota counties: Morrison, Todd, and Wadena?

If you answered NO to any of the above questions, you are most likely NOT eligible to apply for a grant.

• Projects that reach residents in Lakewood’s key service area communities, including Browerville, Eagle Bend, Motley, Pillager, and Staples.

• Projects that align with Lakewood’s current CHNA priority areas.

• Projects that address health inequities and focus on older adults, ethnic minorities, people with low-incomes, and rural challenges.

• Projects not adequately served by existing community resources.

• Projects which facilitate cooperation and collaboration between organizations.

Lakewood will make final decisions guided by the following criteria and considerations.

1. Grants will be made to IRS designated tax-exempt organizations operating and primarily serving residents in the following Minnesota counties: Morrison, Todd, and Wadena, or where Lakewood has a physical presence. Application from a national organization must focus on local or regional efforts.

2. Grants will be made to proposals that aligns with Lakewood’s CHNA priorities outlined in the current Community Health Implementation Strategy Plan.

3. Grants will not be made for religious activities.

4. Grants will not be made for political campaigns.

5. Grants will not be made for memorials or endowments.

6. Grants will not be made to benefit for-profit organizations.

7. Grants will not be made to benefit an individual or family.

8. Grants will not normally be made for registration fees to charitable races and conferences, or for travel expenses.

9. Grants will not be made for proposals which have already occurred.

10. Grants are ordinarily made for a one-year performance period.

Lakewood operates without discrimination as to age, race, ethnic group, gender, sexual preference, disability, religion, or national origin in the consideration of grant requests.

Grant requests are accepted on a continuing basis throughout the calendar year. Completed applications must be emailed to gretchenbestland@lakewoodhealthsystem.com, or printed and mailed to

Attention: Gretchen Bestland

Lakewood Health System

49725 County 83

Staples, MN 56479

Once received, please allow for the application to go through an evaluation process that typically takes 30 days to complete. The process includes:

• An initial review is conducted to ensure the applicant is eligible to apply, the proposal aligns with General Grant Guidelines, and the application is completely filled out. Applicants may receive a phone call or email from Lakewood with clarifying questions about the request.

• A thorough evaluation by the Grant Committee, which consists of staff from our Community Health department, will make funding recommendations.

• Final approval given by Lakewood’s executive leadership team.

Both awarded and declined applicants will be notified by email. If awarded, the Community Health departments will prepare an agreement and provide further instructions to each recipient.

Download the grant here.

Upon completion of the grant period, Lakewood requires all awarded grantees to complete a brief final report that seeks program outcomes and how funds were used.  Deadlines for grant reports are discussed and agreed upon prior to signing an agreement, but are generally due 30 days after completion of the grant period.

Grantees who do not complete a final report will not be eligible for future funding.