Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Fund Grants

The Bernick Family Foundation, established by the Bernick family, was created to honor the legacy of its company founders and their commitment to supporting organizations that align with the family’s core values. The foundation operates through several community foundations, including the Alexandria Area Community Foundation, Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, Central Minnesota Community Foundation, Foley Area Community Foundation, New London-Spicer Area Fund, Paynesville Area Community Foundation, ROCORI Area Community Foundation, Sauk Centre Area Community Foundation, and Willmar Area Community Foundation. The foundation also collaborates with the broader CommunityGiving network to deliver its grantmaking programs. The Bernick’s Beverages and Vending Fund Grants program focuses on addressing community needs across the seven Bernick service areas. The program is designed to support initiatives in two primary focus areas: youth and education, and youth health and fitness. Projects under the youth and education category aim to prepare students for future success in both education and the workplace, while the youth health and fitness category supports activities that promote active lifestyles among young people. The foundation places favorable consideration on programs that demonstrate innovation or foster youth leadership skills, teamwork, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and responsible recreation. Eligible strategies for funding include capital projects and the development or expansion of new programs. Funding is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, and government entities. To qualify, organizations must be based in or serve communities within Bernick’s operating regions, which include Bemidji, Brainerd, Duluth, Waite Park, Willmar in Minnesota, and Superior and Dresser in Wisconsin. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Bernick’s Service Area Listing to verify eligibility. The total available funding for this program is up to $300,000, which will be distributed among approximately eight to ten organizations. Individual grant awards range from $5,000 to $40,000. The foundation does not typically fund individuals, religious organizations for religious purposes, political organizations or campaigns, event sponsorships or annual fundraising drives, multi-year requests, endowments, debt retirement, completed projects, post-secondary academic scholarships, travel or conference expenses, or projects to replace lost government funding. Applications must be submitted online through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System. The process involves initial submission, review by the Grant Advisory Committee, and final approval by the Board of Directors. Applicants will receive notifications and communications by email. Grants are paid out upon receipt of a signed Grant Agreement. Grantees must submit a final report and, if requested, a progress report through the grant management system. For the 2025 cycle, applications open on August 1, 2025, and close on September 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Funding decisions are made within 120 days of the deadline. Applicants uncertain about eligibility are advised to contact local staff for guidance. For questions about the grant or the online system, applicants can call (320) 257-9715. The CommunityGiving office is located at 101 7th Avenue S., #100, St. Cloud, MN 56301.