Opportunity Overview
The Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (HCCOLA) Charitable Fund, working in collaboration with the Northwest Minnesota Foundation, is accepting applications for projects to be funded in 2027. The program supports charitable and educational projects that protect, preserve, and enhance lakes and watersheds in Hubbard County and watersheds that impact Hubbard County. Applications are due October 19, 2026. The official guidelines do not publish a closing clock time or time zone, so Atlas does not infer one.
Funding
Grant proposals may request up to $2,000. Award decisions are expected in November 2026, funds are expected to be available in June 2027, and awarded funds must be spent in 2027 unless a pre-approved extension is granted.
Eligibility and Geography
Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and community groups. The geographic eligibility area is Hubbard County and watersheds that impact Hubbard County. A community group without 501(c)(3) status must secure and identify a fiscal host; the official application states that an LGU cannot serve as that fiscal host.
Eligible and Ineligible Projects
Eligible activities include aquatic invasive species early detection, aquatic vegetation surveys, water-quality and shoreline-development research, AIS prevention, public education, conservation-related projects, critical shoreline habitat restoration, buffer strips, rain gardens, shoreline erosion work, storm-water redirection, vegetation mapping, specialized sampling research, limited scientific studies, and other charitable or educational activities that support HCCOLA and associated lake associations.
Ineligible projects include watercraft-inspection supplemental funding, water-quality monitoring, rip rap, weed harvesters, fish stocking, septic upgrades, chemical AIS treatments, legal aid, and general operating expenses.
Match Requirement
A mandatory 1:1 match applies. For every $1 contributed by the HCCOLA Charitable Fund, the applicant must contribute $1 toward the project. Match may include volunteer labor, in-kind services, donated materials, and/or cash. The guidelines value unskilled volunteer labor at $25 per hour.
Application Requirements
A complete application includes the official cover sheet, a project narrative of up to two pages addressing the selection criteria, the official budget form, a support letter from someone familiar with the project other than the applicant, information about the applicant organization and/or project, and fiscal-host information when applicable. The application also requires an authorized signature.
Submission
Submit the signed application and supporting documentation by mail to Hubbard COLA, P.O. Box 746, Park Rapids, MN 56470, or by email to hccolamn@gmail.com.
Atlas Fit Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 56/100. This is a verified, currently open Minnesota education-related local fund with clear requirements and a manageable application package. Its narrow environmental scope, $2,000 award ceiling, and mandatory 1:1 match materially limit broader Atlas use.
N9+ Fit Score: 0/100. The program is focused on lake and watershed protection, environmental education, and related conservation activities. The official materials do not establish a healthcare, telehealth, diagnostic, remote-clinical, or medical-equipment pathway. Do not force an N9+ concept.
QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. No healthcare delivery or healthcare-vendor pathway is established by the controlling materials.
Dr. Miltie direct-applicant fit: not viable. The program is limited to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and community groups, and it also carries a mandatory 1:1 project match. Dr. Miltie, LLC should not be classified as a direct applicant.