NORTHWEST MINNESOTA FOUNDATION AWARDED GRANT THROUGH BLUE CROSS FOUNDATION

Bemidji, MN - June 29, 2015 - The Bagley Early Childhood Coalition (ECI), a component fund of the Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) received a $60,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation to help more community members reach their full health potential. The funds will be used for a new playground in the Shevlin community.

The Bagley ECI, led by Andrea Olson will work with community members to develop and implement a plan to build the playground. The grant is one of 24 awarded across the state through Healthy Communities: Healthy Equity in Action.

The projects all focus on one or more of the following social or economic factors that have a great influence on health: education, employment, income, family and social support or community safety. A total of $1.5 million was awarded.

"We're pleased to support the great work of the Bagley Early Childhood Coalition - a community asset that is truly making a difference in helping people have better options for good health," said Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Link. "The Bagley Early Childhood Coalition demonstrates a commitment to broadening the way we look at health."

"Our early childhood coalitions are doing great things in our 12 county region," said NMF President Nancy Vyskocil. "This project will benefit children of all ages and bring the community of Shevlin a resource which they have been lacking." Vyskocil added, "We are grateful to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation for their generous funding of this project."

For more information on Blue Cross' grant making programs, visit bcbsmnfoundation.org or call (651) 662-3950 or toll free at 1-866-812-1593.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, facilitating collaboration and promoting philanthropy.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation exclusively dedicates its assets to improving health in Minnesota, awarding nearly $41.5 million since it was established in 1986. The Foundation's purpose is to make a healthy difference in communities by advancing health equity and improving the conditions where people live, learn, work and play.