Ely area businesses hurt economically by wildfires and BWCA closures can apply for grants from United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN).
But the deadlines are coming up fast.
Residents and small businesses who have lost income for weeks as a result may be eligible for grant monies.
UWNEMN has been raising recovery funds since July 15. Anonymous donors are adding an additional dollar for every $2 donated to the Ely community up to $50,000.
“More than $190,000 has been raised to-date, with $135,000 dedicated specifically to the Ely area. At the time of this release, the Ely-specific total includes $30,000 in added matching funds; $20,000 in matching funds remain. Individual donations have ranged from $1 to $10,000, and business/organization commitments have made by Boston Scientific, Boundary Waters Connect, Friends of the Boundary Waters, NewRange Copper Nickel, Save the Boundary Waters, Sota Clothing, and Twin Metals Minnesota,” said UWNEMN executive director Erin Shay.
Applications for individuals and small businesses to apply for UWNEMN’s Wildfire Recovery funds are now open.
Small business funding will be released in rounds. Applications for this round of grant funds are due by 11:59 p.m. Aug. 10.
Approved applicants will receive grants ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 by Aug. 17. This funding will be restricted to business related expenses including payroll assistance; rent, mortgage, and/or utility costs; payments to suppliers; and equipment necessary for business operation.
Individuals can apply for funding from $500 to $1,500. Like small businesses, individual applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Aug. 10, and funding will be released by Aug. 17. For individuals, funding will be applied directly to bills or will be given as grocery gift cards.
“These amounts were determined with input from local small business professionals in an effort to assist as many people and businesses as possible with the amount of funding we’ve raised todate,” Shay said. “Our hope is this funding serves as a stop-gap until larger funding sources become available.”
To qualify for funding, businesses must be located in Babbitt, Buyck, Cook, Crane Lake, Ely, Embarrass, Nett Lake, Orr, Soudan, Tower, Winton, or townships between any of the aforementioned communities; have suffered business loss due to the July 2026 Lightning Incident; be in good standing with the Minnesota Secretary of State; utilize available insurance; and intend to re-open.
Eligible individuals must live or work in Babbitt, Buyck, Cook, Crane Lake, Ely, Embarrass, Nett Lake, Orr, Soudan, Tower, Winton, or townships between any of the aforementioned communities and be able to show their income was affected as a direct result of the July 2026 Lightning Incident to qualify.
All application information will remain confidential, and review panel members will be required to sign conflict of interest forms.
Applications are available online at www.unitedwaynemn. org/firehelp.
UWNEMN continues to fundraise in hopes of opening additional rounds of funding to support more impacted businesses and individuals.
Donations are 100% tax deductible, and 100% of funds raised will stay in the community or communities where donors designate their funds toward. Shay said 100% of gifts not designated for a specific community will go directly to the eligible individuals or businesses.
More than $80,000 has been raised to-date, not including matching funds for crisis funds, with $42,500 dedicated specifically to the Ely area at the time of this release.
Individual donations have ranged from $1 to $5,000, and businesses contributions have come from Boston Scientific, NewRange Copper Nickel, Sota Clothing and Twin Metals Minnesota.
Before opening funds to small businesses and individuals, funds raised were used to purchase air purifiers for Ely area seniors and were also made available to local organizations actively responding to the wildfire.
To support either of UWNEMN’s recovery funds, visit www.unitedwaynemn. org/firehelp. Donations can also be mailed directly to 608 East Drive, Chisholm, MN 55719. Checks can be written to “United Way of NE MN,” and the requested purpose for funds must be included in writing.
Lakehouse Candle Co. is donating 10% of sales from all ‘Boundary Waters’ scented candles they sell this month to our fund, specifically to support Ely small businesses.
