The North American Bear Center is the only black bear and wildlife educational facility of its kind. Dedicated to replacing old myths with facts, it lets people learn from the bears themselves about bear behavior, ecology, and their relations with humans.
Great things await you inside! Whether you visit us in Ely or here on our website, we hope your time with us gives you a better understanding of the world of black bears.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that relies entirely on the support of visitors, merchandise sales and people like you. We do not receive any state or federal funding. Help support our mission.
Ely Rotary Club is a 501(c)(3) charitable service organization located in Ely, Minnesota
We meet every Wednesday at the Grand Ely Lodge and welcome guests and visiting Rotarians to join us at noon for lunch. For weekly program information, please visit our Facebook page.
Noon Wednesdays
Buffet Lunch
Grand Ely Lodge
400 N Pioneer Rd
Ely, MN 55731
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.
Since 1976, Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness has been the voice for clean water and wilderness.
Our vision for the future of this national treasure lies at the intersection of people, communities and wilderness.
Visit our website to discover more about this national treasure, from how to plan your next (or first) visit to how you can help preserve the wilderness for future generations.
The Foundation, founded in 2002, provides financial resources to support the mission of the hospital in its commitment to caring for and enhancing the health and well being of the community it serves.
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
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.
Well Being Development is a 501(c)3 organization located in Ely, Minnesota. The Northern Lights Clubhouse is the main program of Well Being Development.
Well Being Development is also the fiscal agent of the Ely Behavioral Health Network and the Ely Community Wellness Fund.
Our Vision
All people achieve their potential and are respected as friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers
Our Mission
To inspire and foster activities that develop and enhance the mental well being of residents in and around Babbitt, Ely, Embarrass, Soudan, Tower, and Winton, Minnesota
Visit our website for more.
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 714
Ely, Minnesota 55731
The mission of the Ely Area Food Shelf is to provide a resource for people living in Ely, Minnesota, and the surrounding communities who have run out of options to alleviate hunger.
The food shelf is located at 15 West Conan Street and is open on the third Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
People who need assistance can shop between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Home delivery is available for people who are homebound and have no other options for receiving food, such as having a friend or relative shop for them. A volunteer will call to help you “shop by phone” and your food will be delivered. Call (218) 235-8527 to register for this program.
Emergency assistance is available during the month by calling (218) 235-8527.
The purpose of the Trust shall be for the enhancement, growth and improvement of:
The Ely Public Library
The arts and artisans of Ely and surrounding area, to include the
performing arts, the visual arts and literature
The creating and funding of scholarships, educational and artistic grants
The cultural and aesthetic environment of the City of Ely and its surrounding area
To date the Trust has awarded more than $625,000 back to the community artists and art organizations to enrich life in Ely.
