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Empower Creativity,
Enrich Lives,
Leave a Legacy

Your thoughtful contribution to Northern Lakes Arts Association (NLAA) ensures that the arts remain an accessible and transformative part of life in Ely and the surrounding region for years to come. By including NLAA in your estate planning, you support the enrichment of our community through music, theater, dance, and visual arts.

Why Legacy Giving is a Good Thing

Your decision to include NLAA in your estate plan is not just a gift to an organization—it’s an investment in the community, the people, and the future of creativity in the North Country.

  • Sustained Impact. Your gift directly supports programs like youth theater camps, pay-what-you-can performances, and opportunities for local artists to thrive. It ensures that residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities can participate in and benefit from the arts.

  • Inspiring the Next Generation. Your legacy fosters creative opportunities for young people who might not otherwise have access to arts education. This investment builds confidence, encourages self-expression, and helps create a vibrant cultural landscape.

  • Strengthening the Community. Arts bring people together. Your contribution helps to create a shared sense of place and pride, while also driving economic growth and vitality in the Ely area.

When you give to NLAA, you’re making a commitment to a brighter, more connected future where the arts are at the heart of community life.

Benefits of Legacy Giving

  • Control and Flexibility. You retain full control of your assets during your lifetime and can adjust your gift as circumstances change.

  • Tax Advantages. A legacy gift can provide significant estate tax savings for your heirs.

  • Recognition. Join NLAA’s Legacy Giving Circle, gaining access to exclusive events and acknowledgment of your role in sustaining the arts.

  • Personalized Tribute. Your gift can be made in honor or memory of someone who inspired your love of the arts, creating a meaningful legacy.

  • Enduring Impact. Your generosity ensures NLAA continues to provide high-quality, accessible arts programming long into the future.

Why NLAA?

Northern Lakes Arts Association has been a cornerstone of creativity in Ely, MN, for over 20 years. From youth camps and theater productions to professional performances and community workshops, NLAA fosters a love of the arts and serves as a catalyst for economic growth and cultural vibrancy. Your gift ensures that everyone—from students discovering their creative potential to seniors finding joy in lifelong learning—has access to these life-enriching experiences.

How It Works

  1. Include NLAA in your estate plan. Add a provision in your will or trust to designate a particular asset, dollar amount, or percentage of your estate to NLAA.

  2. Choose your gift’s purpose. Gifts can be unrestricted to support NLAA’s top priorities or designated to a specific program. We’re happy to help craft the language to ensure your wishes are honored.

  3. Inform NLAA of your plans. Sharing your intentions helps us plan effectively and ensures we can honor your wishes. This is especially important for gifts of real estate, business interests, or other specialized assets.

  4. Impact lives. Upon receipt, your gift will help enrich the community and secure the future of the arts in Ely and beyond.

Legal Language

If you wish to name NLAA in your estate plan, we should be identified as:

Northern Lakes Arts Association
A nonprofit corporation organized under the laws of Minnesota.

Principal address: Ely, MN 55731
Tax ID: 36-3485240

Let’s Talk

We understand that legacy planning is a deeply personal decision. If you’d like to explore how your gift can reflect your values and priorities, we’re here to help.

Email: contact@northernlakesarts.org
Phone: (218)-235-9937

Thank you for helping NLAA bring the transformative power of the arts to future generations. Together, we can ensure that Ely continues to thrive as a hub of creativity and community.

Where Will the Arts Take You?

At Northern Lakes Arts Association, every program is a doorway into Ely’s vibrant Rural Arts Ecosystem. Choose your path below and see what inspires you most:

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MainStage Productions

Experience unforgettable theater, concerts, and dance performances that set the standard for artistic excellence in Ely.

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Northern Lakes Arts Academy

Grow your skills through workshops, camps, and hands-on mentorship for artists of all ages.

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Community Arts & Events

Connect with neighbors through inclusive programs, local showcases, and celebrations that bring the arts to everyone.

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Northern Lakes Arts Association 

1900 East Camp Street, Ely, Mn 55731
218-235-9937
Contact@NorthernLakesArts.Org
EIN: 36-3485240

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2026 Donors and Sponsors

Legacy Circle Members

Catherine Aldrich

Kari Wenger

Anonymous

Season Sponsors ($1500+)

Boundary Waters Connect

Brainstorm Bakery

Ely Outfitting Company 

Motel Ely

Sherpa

The Boathouse

Barb & Laverne Dunsmore

Bernie & Kari Dusich

Holly Rom

Larry & Catherine Bogolub

Jamie & Cindy Gardner

Joe & Mary Bianco

Anonymous x2

Gold Level Donors ($1000+)

Bridgette Sundell

Carrie Bezak

Caroline Owens

David & Kathleen Miller

Heidi Buettner

Mary Louise Icenhour

Nancy Piragis

Paul & Sue Schurke

Roger & Nancy Benjamin

Rusty & DiAnn White

Sarah Wigdahl-Vollom

Sue Duffy & Linda Ganister

Virgie & The Ivancich Family

Silver Level Donors ($500+)

Al Gerhardstein & Mimi Gingold

Brian Batzli

Carolyn & Keith Dehnbostel

Christine Stevens

Karen McManus

Katie Heitzig

Jan Carey

Kristine & Krista Woerhide

Laura Myntti

Norma McKinnon

Pamela Saunders

Sheldon Damberg

Steven & Mona Johnson

Tim Deyak

Town of Morse

Troy West

Bronze Level Donors ($250+)

Kathleen & Byron Anderson
Bear Island Realty
Linda Carlson
Sue Germek
Grand Ely Lodge
Glenda Harbaugh
Mrs. Pamela Kearney
Roberta Klar
Brian Krause
Karl Kubiak

Andrea Landro-Pike

Albert & Karen Maddern
James Montana III
Darlene Nemanich
Rebecca Nova
Sue & Wayne Pasmick
Piragis Northwoods
Raven’s Wing B&B
Dave & Rene Settergren
Mindy Shulfer
Ann Spitler
David & Michelle Young

Patrons of the Arts ( $125+)

Barbara & Bill Godlin

Brian & Kathy Dahlin

Cathy Bell

Corrie & Andrew McKibbon

Debbie & Bill Erzar

Dolores Delaney

Elizabeth LePlatt

Elizabeth Vosburgh

Ellen & Emily Roose

Elton & Emily Brown

Eric & Ria Jokela

John Eckfeldt & Nancy Schultz

Julie Lucas

Julie Nester

Kathy Neiman

Mark & Laurie Cramer 

Mike Gilgosch and Linda Sutton 

Marguerite Ahola 

Mary Zupancich

Nancy Keller

Nancy Sorganen

Pam Ransom

Pat Zupancich

Ruth Reha Lah

Sharon Friedler

Sue Remes

Tom & BJ Kobierski

Anonymous x2

Friends of NLAA (Up to $124)

Alan and Nancy Andrea
Benjamin Anderson
Elizabeth M. Anderson
Carla Arneson
John Arisensi
Harry Avila

Zachary Barry
Patricia Bartlett
Ellen Bernardson
Adam Bisbee
Joe and Mary Bianco
Patricia Bieber
Ann Bock

Autumn Campbell
Deb Campbell
Carole Carlson-Bursch
Justine Carlson
Laura Carlson Keely
Autumn Cole

Richard Davis
Shayshay Degagne
Brad Dekkers
Linda O’Neil Deremee
Carolyn Dehnbostel
Celia Domich
Ruthie Dixon
Dean Dewberry
Diane Toms
Dollie O’Neill
Daniel MacCoy
Debbie Mackie
David O’Donnell

Nancy Edson
Kathy and Don Ellerton
Elizabeth Engelman
Jan Erchul

Stephen Field
Jackie Fischer
Tara Forsman
Anna-Lena Forsman
Mary Kay Fortier

Jean Green
Jan Guerin
Barb Gipple

Rebecca Katz Harwood
Bethany Hway
Johnna Hyde
Phil Hyde
Todd & Meg Heiman
Alison Hoffman
Paula Hill

Bob and Jude Jalonen
Robert Jalonen
Anne Johnson
Jane Johnston

Patricia Katauskas
Nancy Keller
Peter Keely
Laurie & Paul Kess
David Kess and Sally Koski
Grace Klein
Marian Klobuchar
Betty Kobierski
Helen Koski
Kekakabic StudiosSammy Lah
Janine LaMontagne

Kevin LawlerBeth LewisLinda Lenich

Barbara & Dan Litchfield

Becca Manlove
Cheryl Martinetto
Mike Mathiasen
Paul and Tracy McDonald
Andy and Corie McKibben
Albina Medved
Carolyn Meier
Pat J. Merfeld
Deborah Miller
William and Deb Milker
Kim & David Mitchell
Tamia Moe
Megan Olson
Molly Olson
Isaac Olson
AJ Ostlund

Wende Nelson
Donna Niskala

Mary P O’Halloran

Barbara Palmer
Judith PopeWinifred Renner
Sina Richert
Donna Rogers
Donna Rogers
Rebecca Rom

Molly Roske

Sharon Shannon
Sharon Svatos
Sara Skelton
Dixon Shelstad
Liz Schendel
Sally Schultze
Margaret E. Schumacher
Mary & Joe Schwinghamer
Anne Schroeder
Lacey Squier
Lacey Squier
Ann Spitler
Bonnie Starkman
Richard Stevens
Jordyn Stocks
Andrea Strom
Lucy Soderstrom
Barb & Kurt Soderberg
Kurt Soderberg
Jodi Summit

Rebecca Trancheff
Pamela Toleikis
Anna & Doug Thompson
Jennifer Toddie

AmberBeth Vanningen

Alain-Daniel Wa-Baguma
Dana Whalberg
Emily Weise
Troy West
Jacob White
Kate Willis
Mary Willits
Linda Wiedmann
Carly Wogen
Krisa Woerheide
Cathy Wright

Elizabeth Yoders

Michelle Zupancich

Anonymous x8

The individuals , businesses and families listed above help make Northern Lakes Arts Association possible. Their generosity supports artists, youth programs, and live performances that bring our community together.

If you would like to join this circle of supporters, we welcome you.

And if we have accidentally missed your name in this listing, please let us know so we can properly recognize your support.

To make a gift or update your information, click the button below

Thank you for helping keep the arts alive in Ely.
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