Blandin Foundation partners with community-focused organizations throughout rural Minnesota, especially in the Grand Rapids area, to build healthy rural communities. In addition to addressing public policy issues, providing scholarships, conducting leadership development programs and providing technical assistance, the Foundation supports these partnerships through grants of money generated by the trust of Charles K. Blandin.

Since Mr. Blandin's first grant of $600 for a community park in 1943, the Blandin Foundation has approved 5,600 grants totalling $336 million.

Organizations that are eligible for Blandin Foundation grants are located in Minnesota, are a 501(c)3 organization or unit of government, and propose projects that align with the Foundation's mission and vision and its strategic focus areas.