The Power of Partnership

maustreng
6 hours ago
2 min read

28 funding sources. 33 nonprofits. One mission: strengthen mental health across the Valley.

The Memorial Team at the Polk County Suicide Awareness Walk with the Mental Health Task Force of Polk County, a Vibrant Communities Grant recipient.

The St. Croix Valley Foundation’s Vibrant Communities Mental Health Grant Program shows what’s possible when partnership fuels purpose.

Mental health reaches every corner of the Valley—every family, every school, every community. It’s a challenge too big for one fund or one town to solve.

That’s why the St. Croix Valley Foundation brought together 28 charitable funds to award $223,000 in Vibrant Communities Mental Health Grants to 33 nonprofits across six counties.

Since 2021, the program has invested more than $830,000 in community-driven solutions—proving what’s possible when the Valley works together.

Too Big to Tackle Alone

This year, 44 nonprofits requested nearly $360,000 in support. From schools to clinics to senior centers, organizations are stepping up—often beyond their core missions—as the demand for mental health care grows.

Grants supported early intervention for youth, trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, culturally responsive programs, and expanded access in rural and underserved areas. Each effort focused on removing barriers like distance, cost, stigma, and language so people can get the help they need.

When Funders Align, Impact Grows

Meeting such wide-ranging needs takes collaboration. In 2025, donor-advised funds, local affiliate funds, and matching dollars from the St. Croix Valley Foundation combined to award these grants. When requests exceeded available dollars, the Foundation reached out to donor advisors—who quickly contributed another $70,000, extending the reach even further.

“This is what happens when the Valley shows up together,” said Angie Pilgrim, Vice President of Community Impact. “It’s not one funder or one community—it’s all of us, standing side by side to strengthen mental health across the region.”

For Lester and Carol Jones, giving through their donor-advised fund was a chance to be part of something larger.

“We knew the need was urgent and appreciated the opportunity to support local nonprofits we know and trust. Partnering with the Foundation made it easy to have a meaningful impact.”

Collaboration, Made Real

Collaboration isn’t just a concept—it shows up in real lives across the Valley. A recovery café in Polk County. A student in River Falls receiving counseling. A ninth-grader in Stillwater finding her voice through storytelling. Click to read each story.