Morgan Fund

The Morgan Fund is a charitable funding opportunity established by Richard and Elizabeth Burns to honor their parents and the enduring legacy of their families in the Twin Ports region, which includes Duluth, Minnesota, and Superior, Wisconsin. The fund is administered under the umbrella of the Boreal Waters Community Foundation and aims to support initiatives that contribute to economic development and civic pride within the defined geographical area. The fund’s philanthropic mission is rooted in enhancing public life and enriching the cultural and economic landscape of these two cities. The Morgan Fund prioritizes projects that serve both Duluth and Superior, particularly those that bolster public awareness, stimulate economic development, improve public spaces, and foster community engagement and pride. Examples of past project types include youth–adult collaborations to enhance civic pride, public art installations, community exhibits, and media projects such as documentaries or website upgrades that increase visibility and economic connectivity in the region. Funding through the Morgan Fund is flexible and may support a range of project types, including capital requests. While the fund generally aligns with Boreal Waters’ broader support for community-driven and equity-centered initiatives, it maintains a particular focus on direct public benefit within Duluth and Superior. Acceptable funding uses may include project or program support, general operating support, capacity building, and community-led solutions, especially those rooted in lived experience or systems-change approaches. Eligible applicants must provide services to residents of Duluth and/or Superior and be formally classified as one of the following entities: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a Section 170(c)(1) public entity such as a public school or governmental agency, a Section 7871 tribal government, a church, or an organization using a qualified fiscal sponsor under one of these categories. Additionally, organizations must operate within the Boreal Waters Community Foundation’s designated service area. The Fall 2025 grant cycle for the Morgan Fund opens on August 12, 2025, and closes on September 15, 2025. There is an optional Zoom information session on August 12, 2025, to assist applicants. The review committee will assess submissions between September 24 and October 27, with final decisions communicated on November 19, 2025. Approved grantees will receive funds by November 26, 2025, and the grant period officially begins on or after January 1, 2026, lasting for up to 12 months from the chosen start date. There is no pre-application phase required. The program is recurring annually each fall. Based on the current cycle, the next expected application period will open in August 2026. Applicants seeking clarification or assistance may contact Kursula Harris, Senior Community Impact Associate, at kursula@borealwaters.org.

Applicants are encouraged to watch the Fall Grants Info Session video and reach out with questions about eligibility or fit.