Introducing the West Central Minnesota Weaver Awards

West Central Initiative is partnering with the Aspen Institute's Weave: The Social Fabric Project to recognize 20 individuals and groups in west central Minnesota and White Earth Nation who are building trust, belonging, and connection.

The Weaver Awards are designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities.

What is weaving?

Weaving is the practice of building meaningful relationships that set the conditions for social trust to grow in communities.

It begins with a simple commitment: to see one another as equal in dignity, even when experiences and viewpoints differ.

Weaving invites people to:

• Discover what they have in common
• Learn how their differences can make the community stronger
• Work side by side toward common good.

Weaving can be formal or informal, and it is characterized by four qualities:

• Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region
• Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive
• Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are
• Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards are part of a constellation of activities designed to celebrate and support weavers—everyday neighbors who are building relationships, strengthening belonging, and weaving trust into the social fabric of their communities. The $2,500-$5,000 awards for neighbors working together are easy to apply for, require only simple reporting, and can go to individuals or small organizations.

Why are we launching the Weaver Awards in West Central Minnesota?

We envision a future where all people feel welcome, appreciated for their unique attributes, and connected to their neighbors, communities, and natural environments.

As communities in our region look ahead to grow both economically and socially, building trust and providing a welcoming, safe space for all is vital.

We want to lift up and celebrate our neighbors who are already doing this work–– that’s why we’re launching the West Central Minnesota Weaver Awards.

What will you get if you become a Weaver Awardee?

Each Weaver Awardee will receive a financial award of $2,500-$5,000 to celebrate and recognize their contributions to their community. In addition, each awardee will receive:

• Local and National Recognition: Awardees will be recognized both locally and nationally by the Aspen Institute alongside weavers from across the country.
• Learning Resources and Tools: Awardees will access learning resources and opportunities.
• 1:1 Support: Awardees will 1:1 support to implement their community-based activities.
• Networks and Connections: Awardees will access a network of other local weavers and participate in regular meetings and networking events.

Who selects the Weaver Awardees?

A local advisory group, made up of community advocates, will help select the Awardees. These are people who know the spirit of the community and its neighborhoods. They care about weaving a strong social fabric, and they know what it takes to do so.

Who is eligible?

For Individuals

• I live, work, or learn in Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, or Wilkin Counties in Minnesota or White Earth Nation.
• I am at least 18 years old.
• My project does not support a political party or policy.
• Weaver Awards can go towards projects that serve specific affinity groups (ex. Veterans groups, language groups, women’s groups, student groups etc.). However, participation cannot be restricted based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference or identity, political party, or faith.
• My project does not restrict participation based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, political party, or faith.

For Groups/Organizations

• My organization operates in Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, or Wilkin Counties in Minnesota or White Earth Nation.
• My organization’s annual budget is under $250,000.
• My project does not support a political party or policy.
• Weaver Awards can go towards projects that serve specific affinity groups (ex. Veterans groups, language groups, women’s groups, student groups etc.). However, participation cannot be restricted based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference or identity, political party, or faith.
• My project does not restrict participation based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or identity, political party, or faith.

What makes a good nomination for a Weaver Award?

Weaving is characterized by four qualities:

• Local: It brings together people who share the same neighborhood, town, or region.
• Mutual: It celebrates everyone’s contributions and creates opportunities for everyone to both give and receive.
• Welcoming: It invites people to join as they are.
• Continuous: It builds relationships that deepen over time through ongoing engagement.

We are looking for people and organizations with projects or initiatives that reflect these qualities. We are looking for folks who get neighbors together to tackle a shared issue in their community. The project must also welcome anyone who wants to join it and foster relationships between participants.

How can I use the funds?

We believe that weavers know best how to use the funds to connect their communities. However, we do have a few restrictions:

Funds may not be used for:

• Regranting funds.
• Large sums for items that are not for community use (i.e., building supplies for private use).
• Purchasing items that would be donated to individual people (i.e., wheelchairs).
• Tuition or certification fees.

You can see a sample budget, as an example, here.

About West Central Initiative

We believe bold ideas grow best when rooted in community and that lasting prosperity depends on connection, collaboration, and care for the places we call home.

As a regional community foundation and economic development district, we invest in people, communities, and systems that make our corner of Minnesota vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable.

We serve to improve our region through funding, programs, and technical assistance.

About Weave: The Social Fabric Project

Weave: The Social Fabric Project is an initiative of the Aspen Institute dedicated to strengthening trust, connection, and belonging in communities across the United States. Weave supports everyday weavers—neighbors who show up for others, bridge divides, and build community. Through storytelling, online learning, community-building programs, and the Weaver Awards, Weave works to repair America’s social fabric from the ground up and lift up the people who are already leading this work in their neighborhoods. Learn more at weavers.org.

FAQ

What are the Weaver Awards?

The Weaver Awards recognize 20 people from west central Minnesota who are leading efforts in their community to address local needs with $2,500-$5,000 awards.

Who can get a Weaver Award?

The awards are for individuals and small nonprofits doing a project that brings people together, fosters relationships with one another, and addresses a shared need in the community. The Awards are not intended for large organizations, though people who work for an organization can apply as long as their organization has an annual budget under $250,000. To get an award, you have to live and work in the Minnesota counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, or Wilkin or White Earth Nation and be 18 or older. You don’t have to be part of a nonprofit organization.

How do I nominate someone for a Weaver Award?

Nominating someone is very simple. You only need to answer three questions that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. You can access the nomination form on this page starting on June 22. To nominate someone, you must be 18 and older and live, work, or learn in west central Minnesota. Once you submit the nomination, the person you are recommending will be notified via email and will need to provide additional information to complete their application. Please let them know that you’ve nominated them for a Weaver Award, so they are expecting an email from us.

How long does it take to complete the application process?

The application has two parts––the nomination by a neighbor or recommendation and the application by the aspiring Awardee. Each part can be completed in as little as 30 minutes, and you can even submit video recordings instead of a written application.

Do I need to a recommendation to apply?

Every applicant must either be nominated or submit one or more recommendations with the application.

If you are nominated, you don’t need any recommendations.

If you are applying, you will need at least one recommendation to complete the application.

The deadline to complete all parts of the application is August 6, so please make sure the person you are nominating has time to complete the application, or the people you are asking for recommendations have time to complete the recommendations.

Do I need to be nominated to apply?

No, you can start an application without a nomination; however, you will need at least one recommendation to complete the application. Make sure your recommender has enough time to complete the recommendation before the deadline!

Do you have to be attached to a nonprofit to get an Award?

No. Anyone can get the Award. You don’t need a formal organization. Weaver Awards are meant for those who don’t have the time, experience, or resources to apply for traditional awards.

However, if you receive the award as an individual, the award must be reported as taxable income, which means:

• West Central Initiative will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• You will receive a 1099 in the mail in January for tax reporting.
• The award will need to be listed on line 8 of Form 1040 and Schedule 1 line 8i.

How do you apply and what's the deadline?

Completed applications with nominations have to be submitted by August 6 at 5 p.m. CST through the West Central Minnesota Weaver Awards application website. You can apply or recommend someone through the links on this page.

I’m having trouble completing the application or recommendation form, what should I do?

Send an email to wci@wcif.org, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

What happens after I submit my application?

A group of local advisors will review and select the Weaver Awardees. In the meantime, subscribe to one of our newsletters to keep in touch with us.

If I'm submitting a video application, can I submit only one video?

No, you need to submit a video for each question that requires a video response. It’s the best way to make sure that the judges properly evaluate your answers. Please make sure you respect the guidelines of time limits. We only allow a maximum of 2 minutes per video response.

If I apply as an individual and am selected, do I have to claim the award as income on my taxes?

Yes, the award is considered taxable income for individuals. Which means:

• West Central Initiative will need your Social Security Number (SSN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN).
• You will receive a 1099 in the mail in January for tax reporting.
• The award will need to be listed on line 8 of Form 1040 and Schedule 1 line 8i.