First Community Health Foundaton
Accepts applications
First Community Health Foundaton is a private foundation in Duluth, Minnesota. In tax year 2025 it gave $629,460 in 11 grants; the typical grant was $50,000 and the largest $125,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$629,460
- Number of grants11
- Typical grant$50,000
- Largest grant$125,000
- Assets$6.9 million
- New grantees55%
Giving in 2025 was down from $873,905 the year before.
55% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $563,300 | 10 | $7.4 million |
| 2024 | $873,905 | 11 | $7.2 million |
| 2025 | $629,460 | 11 | $6.9 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Kathy McNamara-Heimbach 130 West Superior Street, Suite 700, Duluth, MN 55802 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (218) 727-9872, kheimbach@thevictoryfund.org |
| What to submit | The founder's fund scholarship the founders' fund scholarship is awarded to help finance the cost of higher education or continuing education for studies in the health care field. One thousand dollars (1,000) will be awarded to each recipient, to be paid out in five hundred dollar (500) installments for each of two years. A recipient may re-apply for an additional two years of awards at the end of the first scholarship. Individuals may apply for the scholarship online at www.thevictoryfund.org or the application may be downloaded and submitted via mail to: the victory fund kathy mcnamara-heimbach, executive director 130 west superior street, suite 700 |
| Deadlines | April 15, each year |
| Restrictions | Eligibility requirements: - applicants must be accepted to an accredited school of higher education which offers an associate of science or arts degree (or higher) in a healthcare field as stated below. - applicants must pursue studies in medicine, nursing, healthcare administration, pharmacy studies, medical techonology, medical records, x-ray technology, dentistry, dental hygiene, occupational health, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, medical social work,psychology, or paramedic. - applicants must be a graduate of lake superior school district or resident of lake county Minnesota. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Minnesota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 11 | $621,960 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Alliance Duluth | Support internal operations | $125,000 |
| First Witness | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Well Being Development | Support northern lights sober living | $75,000 |
| Lake County Ambulance Service | Create high school emt program | $50,000 |
| Center City Housing | Support provide permanent housing | $50,000 |
| MN Sixth Distrcit Treament Court | Support coordinator | $50,000 |
| Harm Reduction Sisters | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Chum | Enhanced training | $50,000 |
| Life House | General operating support | $45,000 |
| North Shore Partners | Program support dementia | $36,960 |
| Damiano Center | Health realization program | $15,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Barbara Caskey
- Beth Elstad
- Diane Holliday-Welsh
- Gena Bossert
- Greg Ruberg
- Dianne Witten
- Gregory Kvam
- Kathy McNamara-Heimbach
Questions people ask
Does First Community Health Foundaton accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: April 15, each year.
How much does First Community Health Foundaton give?
$629,460 in tax year 2025, across 11 grants, with a typical grant of $50,000.
Who runs First Community Health Foundaton?
Its 2025 filing lists Barbara Caskey (Secretary), Beth Elstad (Vice Chair), Diane Holliday-Welsh (Chair) and Gena Bossert (Director) among 8 officers and trustees.