Who We Are
Central Lakes College Foundation is a registered, non-profit organization committed to helping Central Lakes College maintain its high academic standing and enhancing the educational life of its students. In 1968, the foundation was established as an independent entity to solicit, receive, and administer gifts, grants, and bequests on behalf of the college. The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of community leaders who make all the financial decisions in regards to managing and accepting donations.
We believe in the value of an education and the opportunities knowledge brings. Our goal is to be a major force in providing opportunities for students to improve their lives through higher education, employment, personal living, and better quality of life. We strive to increase resources, raise funds, and nourish students of promise who with determination and perseverance transform their lives through education.
Make a Gift
Your gift to the Central Lakes College Foundation helps support student success, provides crucial resources, and strengthens academic programs. With numerous ways to give, you can make a meaningful difference in helping build students’ futures. Your support ensures that Central Lakes College continues to open doors and provide opportunities for generations to come.
Donate Online
Supporting Central Lakes College through an online donation is simple and only takes a few minutes. Whether you’d like to make a one-time gift or set up recurring donations, making a gift through CLC Foundation’s online giving hub is easy and secure. Click here to make a gift to CLCF’s Greatest Needs Fund, or designate your gift to one of our established scholarship or program funds.
Donate by Mail
Prefer to give by check?
Checks may be made payable to the Central Lakes College Foundation, and mailed to:
Central Lakes College Foundation
501 W College Drive
Brainerd, MN 56401
Other Ways to Give
There’s no one-size-fits-all giving path. Whether you prefer to give today or plan a future gift, the Central Lakes College Foundation staff is here to make it easy to give in a way that is meaningful to you. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you make an impact in any of the following ways:
- Establishing a fund
- Employer matching gifts
- IRA charitable rollovers and required minimum distributions (RMDs)
- Estate gifts and bequests
- Beneficiary designation gifts
- Donor Advised Funds (DAFs)
- Gifts of stock
- Gifts of land, property, vehicles, and other non-cash gifts
Apply for Scholarships
Scholarships
Thanks to the support and generosity of individuals, companies, and organizations, Central Lakes College Foundation awards scholarships to deserving and qualified students, with over $700,000 in scholarship funds awarded in the 2025-2026 academic year. Scholarships are available to assist with tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses.
Eligibility
Scholarship awards are not limited to class valedictorians and star athletes. They are awarded based on a variety of criteria. Some of the major areas of consideration are pursued program or degree, financial need, community service, and leadership experience.
CLC Foundation scholarships are awarded in both the Fall and Spring semesters. To be considered for CLC Foundation’s scholarships:
- Be currently accepted into a CLC Program of Study as an undergraduate student
- Be registered for a minimum of 6 credits at Central Lakes College by the beginning of the semester.
- Recommend (not required) to Complete the FAFSA online (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Submit general scholarship application each semester (fall and spring)
Application Opens:
Spring Semester – October 1st
Fall Semester– May 1st
Application Deadlines:
Spring Semester 2027 – November 1, 2026
Fall Semester 2027 – June 1, 2027
How to Apply
Apply online for all CLC Foundation scholarships:
- Log in to https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=clcmn
- Click on “Create New Account” to complete the registration process and create your logon credentials OR login with your existing username and password
- Fill out the simple, secure general scholarship application
- You may be eligible for additional awards by answering a few supplemental questions
- A confirmation email will be sent once your application has been submitted
External Scholarships
Many outside professional associations and service organizations offer scholarships to deserving students. Applying for external scholarships can be time-consuming but because of the wide variety of available awards many diligent applicants are successful in securing some funding. In order to be successful, start your search as early as possible and search often. Do not pay for any financial aid, scholarship applications, or search services; all scholarship applications are free. Check out these Scholarship Resources and Tips for valuable information on applying for external scholarships.
Board of Directors
The Central Lakes College Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors made up of distinguished business and community leaders who represent the social and economic makeup of the central Minnesota community. This volunteer board directs the activities of the foundation and ensures its funds are being used to support the foundation’s mission.
Mike Bjerkness, BLEADC- Board President
Nathan Hamilton, Essentia Health- Board Vice President
Jodi Norlen, Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures- Board Treasurer
Beth Gruber, Granite Partners- Board Secretary
Brad Chapulis, City of Baxter- Board Past President
Dr. Kimberly Lynch, Interim President, Central Lakes College (Ex Officio)
Barbara Anderson, Retired
Robb Kolodziej, Central Lakes College
Michele Berger, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
Mike McConkey, Bell Bank
Christina Collins, Graphic Packaging
Shelly Netland, CTC
Eric Charpentier, Brainerd HRA
Mike Barnaby, Retired
Want to get involved?
The Central Lakes College Foundation welcomes letters of interest from supporters wishing to join the Board of Directors. Participation in the board enables members to gain valuable experience in governance, actively participate in the community, and be a part of a committed team. As a member of the Central Lakes College Foundation Board, individuals demonstrate a commitment to the support and advancement of the college, its students, and staff. Such a commitment requires the time, energy, skills and financial support of the member. For more information, please contact foundation@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8129.
Emergency Assistance
Central Lakes College Random Act of Kindness Program
Are you experiencing a financial emergency?
Central Lakes College may be able to help. Random Acts of Kindness funding is accessible to enrolled students at Central Lakes College. This program is designed to help with unforeseen financial challenges.
CLC students may apply for emergency funding through a simple electronic application process. Whether you’re experiencing food insecurity, housing instability, transportation issues, or other unexpected expenses, that if not resolved quickly could lead to your departure from college and/or loss of momentum toward completion, this program may be able to assist you.
Please note that funding may not be used for tuition or associated fees. Unfortunately, PSEO students are not eligible at this time.
If you have any questions, please reach out to
Ashley Berry, Basic Needs Coordinator
Ashley.Berry@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8152
Kellee Rossina, CLC Social Worker
Kellee.rossina@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8024
Want to Help?
Donations can be made to the Random Acts of Kindness Fund at anytime.
Alumni
Tell Us Your Story
The impact of private support can be seen throughout the Brainerd and Staples campuses, the local communities, and beyond. If you are a donor or the beneficiary of a scholarship, you are part of this legacy. To share why you chose to give or how private support has influenced your life, we invite you to Tell Us Your Story.
