Event Details

Join us for a conversation with Northeastern Minnesota grantmakers. You are probably familiar with these regional grantmakers; if you've been grantseeking for awhile now, you likely have a relationship started with them already and even talk with them regularly. This is all part of the process and it's good you're doing it. This event is an opportunity to meet them if you haven't. Either way, it's a chance to check in with funders, catch them all in one place, get up-to-date information about grantmaking timelines and priorities, and hear what's happening in the region. We will also provide a designated Q&A time for you to ask them your grantmaking questions directly.

Event Details

The event will be hosted on Zoom. You will need a computer and a phone as a back-up audio method. 

RSVP for this event on Zoom.

This session will be recorded.

Captioning is provided automatically through Zoom. For information on requesting CART, ASL, or another accommodation, please visit our Registration Policies page.

To learn more about events, registration, and payment, visit our Event & Registration page.

Speaker Information

Danae Beaudette has worked for the state of Minnesota for over 23 years. After a two-year position in St. Paul at the Minnesota World Trade Conference Center, she moved back to the Iron Range and worked in marketing and communications for both Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm and Giants Ridge in Biwabik for a combined 17 years. Since 2017 she has been a grant administrator in community development with Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. She oversees multiple grant programs which improve communities and encourage economic development, enhance the quality of life in the region, and attract visitors, and address workforce and business needs.

Elyse Coleman, Program Officer for Otto Bremer Trust, provides capacity and support to Northern Minnesota, Statewide, and Twin Cities grantees. Prior to joining the Trust, Elyse has over 10 years of experience supporting nonprofits and community groups, primarily to elevate youth facing housing instability. Elyse’s first teacher was the Land, and she recognizes that she, humbly, lives upon the unceded homelands of the Anishinaabe and Dakota peoples. When she is not working, Elyse is often found adventuring (hiking) with her daughter, dog, and friends.

Zach Johnson is the Grants Manager for the Blandin Foundation. In his roll, he is responsible for administering all aspects of the grantmaking process, working with his team to create structure, manage reporting, and make sure the organization remains compliant with foundation and federal rules and regulations.



Michelle Morris is the community impact director at the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation. Michelle advances the Foundation’s mission of private giving for the public good by partnering with nonprofit organizations and community leaders to create positive outcomes through grants that align with donors’ intents. She also coordinates the Foundation’s initiatives to close the opportunity gap, increase resiliency for disasters, and attract and retain young adults.


Don Ness is executive director of the Ordean Foundation, an organization focused on addressing issues related to poverty in Duluth. Prior to joining the Ordean Foundation, Don served 16 years in elected leadership, culminating with a 91 percent job approval rating in his role as Mayor of Duluth. 



Tony Sertich, President/CEO Northland Foundation




Whitney Ridlon has worked in community development for over 15 years in both rural and urban communities. Passionate for her home communities on the Iron Range, she moved back home from St. Paul in 2014 to work in community development for the Department of Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. She has been working to expand broadband into rural areas of Northeast Minnesota, connect local communities to financial and technical resources, and also administers a variety of community grant programs that encourage community planning, partnerships, and downtown/business revitalization.

Erik Torch is the executive director at the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.