The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation aims to enhance the quality of life in the Duluth Superior region through the establishment and administration of endowed funds created by individuals, families, private foundations, and businesses. Since 1983, it has distributed over $40 million in grants and scholarships, managing more than 360 funds for various charitable purposes.
The grant program supports projects and services that integrate animals into therapeutic processes for emotional, behavioral, and mental health improvement. This includes teaching interactions with animals that foster emotional growth, using animals to help individuals understand life challenges better, and programs addressing emotional and developmental needs through animal-assisted therapy. Services provided can range from mental health therapy incorporating animals, support for clients with mental health issues (inclusive of physical health challenges), to rescuing and rehabilitating abused and neglected animals for therapy purposes. Examples of eligible organizations include North Country R.I.D.E., Forget-Me-Not Foundation, and several others focusing on equine-assisted learning, hospice care, and behavioral therapy programs among others.