The Ely Area Community Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(C)(3), non-profit foundation that provides an opportunity for people who know and love the Ely Area to join their charitable dollars for the common good of the community, thus enhancing the community development and quality of life.
The Ely Area Community Foundation receives donations from individuals, families, businesses, and charitable organizations. These funds are invested and managed by The Ely Area Community Foundation and the investment income is made available through a grant application process that responds to community needs and aspirations.
From the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota, Widji is uniquely situated to provide access to some of the finest wilderness areas in North America. Four generations of young lives, spanning over eighty years, have been transformed by a Widjiwagan experience. Through wilderness travel and environmental learning experiences, they have built leadership skills, gained confidence and explored extraordinary listings.
Camp Widjiwagan offers programming for teens, ages 11–18.
Ely Community Resource…helping make Ely a great place to grow up!
Our mission is to foster positive youth development through activities designed to increase self-esteem, build a sense of community, and provide positive adult relationships that allow effective interventions.
The Dorothy Molter Museum is a seasonally operating, historic museum focusing on the life and legacy of Ely Area icon, Dorothy Molter.
Click Here to View Visitation Updates and Temporary Hours of Operation
Through tours of Dorothy’s original cabins, self-guided exploration of our outdoor, natural areas, community programming and a wide selection of mission-driven retail merchandise (including our own Isle of Pines Root Beer), visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history.
With the uncertainty of future public health initiatives and guidelines, the operation of the Museum will be significantly different this season. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate these uncharted waters.
The Dorothy Molter Museum preserves and interprets Northwoods wilderness heritage through learning opportunities inspired by Dorothy Molter, the last non-indigenous resident of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
As a private, non-profit organization representing part of the unique and rich history of northeastern Minnesota, the Dorothy Molter Museum strives to not only honor the legacy of its namesake but also, be an active and positive member of the Ely Area community and family of Minnesota museums.
Through tours in three of Dorothy’s original cabins, self-guided exploration of our outdoor, natural areas, community events, public programs, and a wide selection of mission-driven retail merchandise (including our own Isle of Pines Root Beer), visitors will leave with an understanding of who Dorothy was, how she lived in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and a greater appreciation for the Ely Area’s natural and cultural history.
Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. Today, we stand with more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance.
Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year.
Built by people who love bikes. Roadie, mountain, free-ride or just cruising with the kids. All cyclists are welcome here in Ely.
We have scenic road rides, a growing trail system and a fun group of locals that love their bikes. Come north and join us for a ride!
Never miss a ride. Follow us on Facebook and stay in the loop for all things cycling related in Ely, MN. You’ll get updates on group rides, races, special events and more.
Join us on Thursday nights for our weekly group ride. We leave town at 6:00 pm. See the community page for more details.
We’re building our first dedicated trail system for mountain biking in Ely, and we need your help! Please consider donating. Click here for more details.
Peruse our website for all things bike in Ely, MN.
The purpose of Incredible Ely is to revitalize Ely’s downtown and support innovative growth in the Ely area by connecting businesses, people, knowledge, ideas, and resources. IE’s vision is a dynamic, innovative, and distinctive community with a diversified and seasonally-balanced economic base.
Explore our projects and join our beautification efforts while supporting innovative growth.
Like many rural communities, the Ely area has struggled to maintain a vibrant economy in the wake of the 2007-08 economic recession. Empty storefronts are a visible reminder of the challenges we face in attracting and retaining young people and ensuring that they have employment opportunities throughout the year – not just during the summer tourist season. Yet there are signs of an Ely renaissance — in the re-opening of Wintergreen Northern Wear, in the expansion of Steger Mukluks, with the opening of the Folk School, and especially in the property developments being undertaken by the Ely Economic Development Authority.
The Ely area has no shortage of talent, and it’s many volunteer organizations are enthusiastically adding to Ely’s offerings in the arts, recreation, and tourist attractions. Incredible Ely (IE) in conjunction with the City and the Chamber of Commerce is part of the community-wide effort to make the area a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The Ely Community Care Team (CCT) was created to identify and address gaps in care in Minnesota’s Northeast Iron Range communities. The partnership of community members and 20 organizations that represent health care, behavioral health, education, social service and non-profit organizations serves the entire population of this remote, rural geographic region with special emphasis on individuals and families in poverty or experiencing mental illness.
The Community Care Team provides collaborative care and targeted care coordination to insure adequate resources are available for physical health, mental health and psychosocial challenges; professionals are trained in recognizing such challenges and are prepared respond to the full spectrum of a person’s needs; and patients have the tools and resources to be a partner in their wellness, treatment and recovery goals. A robust process and outcome evaluation is already showing significant benefits to patients and professionals, in addition to reduced healthcare costs.
Northern Tier is the Boy Scouts of America’s gateway to adventure in the Great Northwoods. In the summer, Scouts from Northern Tier’s three wilderness canoe bases explore millions of acres of pristine lakes, meandering rivers, dense forests and wetlands in Northern Minnesota, Northwest Ontario and Northeast Manitoba.
Come to Northern Tier for a whole new level of adventure, up north! From incredible canoe journeys to wild winter wilderness camping, Northern Tier promises the Scouting adventure of a lifetime in the Great North Woods of northern Minnesota and Canada.
Story Portage is a non-profit, centered in Ely, Minnesota, created to foster the art of personal narrative and to promote literacy and reading here in the Northwoods. Current and future projects include:
Ely, Minnesota Chapter of the League of Minnesota Poets
The Maud Hart Lovelace and Star of the North Children’s Choice Book Award Program
Random Acts of Poetry
VCC Visiting Writers Program
Visit our website and take a look at our current projects to learn more, and contact us if you’d like to be part of Story Portage’s future!
Story Portage
P.O. Box 286
Ely, MN 55731
