Charitable Lake Fund
Paying for watercraft inspection at the public access and the larger work of protecting the lake.
The Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund
Held by the Northwest Minnesota Foundation
Established by the Big Sand Lake Association (BSLA) in October 2009, the Charitable Fund exists “to provide financial support to protect, preserve, restore and enhance the quality of Big Sand Lake and its environs.”
Why the Fund matters
Aquatic invasive species (AIS) continue to spread through Minnesota lakes. The Charitable Fund pays for the larger costs of protecting Big Sand Lake, including:
- Summer DNR watercraft inspection at the public access
- Periodic professional aquatic studies
- Potential future AIS lake treatments, which can be costly, should they become available
How the Fund works
The Fund has two parts:
- General Spendable – available right away to pay for current needs such as watercraft inspection.
- Endowment – donations are permanently invested and not spent. Only the earnings can be used, helping the Fund grow for years to come.
Your gifts at work
In 2026, a grant from the Charitable Fund to the BSLA helped pay for 1,400 hours of watercraft inspection at the public access.
Each spring, the Charitable Fund Advisory Committee holds a fundraising campaign to replace the money spent on DNR watercraft inspection and to keep the Fund growing. Gifts are welcome year-round, and memorial gifts are welcome too.
Ways to give
Online: Give securely through the Northwest Minnesota Foundation: Donate to the Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund. Please direct your gift to the Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund and note “General Spendable” or “Endowment.”
By check: Make your check payable to Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund and write “General Spendable” or “Endowment” in the memo line. Mail to:
Northwest Minnesota Foundation
201 3rd Street NW
Bemidji, MN 56601
Not sure which to choose? Gifts to General Spendable help pay for this summer’s watercraft inspection. Gifts to the Endowment build lasting support for the lake’s future.
Please note: Charitable Fund gifts are separate from BSLA membership dues. If you pay by check, please send a separate check for each.
Please help care for and protect Big Sand Lake by becoming an annual contributor to the Charitable Fund. Thank you!
Questions? Email bsla@bigsandlake.com or call the Northwest Minnesota Foundation at 800‑659‑7859.
Gifts are tax-deductible as allowed by law.