Charitable Gambling

Each year the Blaine City Council awards donations to several social service and charitable organizations that operate within the City of Blaine and greater Anoka County. The source of this funding is charitable gambling proceeds; organizations that run legal gambling operations, such as pull-tabs, within Blaine are required by State law to submit 10 percent of their net proceeds to the City.

This City Council has directed the staff to collect written requests from organizations who wish to be considered for donations.

How to Submit a Request

A letter should be drafted by all organizations that wish to receive funding, including those who have been recipients in recent years.

All requests must include:

  • Organization’s name
  • Requested donation amount 
  • How the donation will be used
  • Organization’s general mission
  • Services provided
  • How those services specifically benefit Blaine residents

Please provide any available statistics and other documentation that will support the donation request. Please note that an organization representative may be asked to appear at a city council meeting to discuss the request.

Mail or email request letter to,
Finance Department
Re: Charitable Gambling
City of Blaine
10801 Town Square Drive NE
Blaine, MN 55449
CharitableGambling@BlaineMN.gov

The Blaine City Council reserves the right to award amounts different from that requested, and may choose not to award any amount. The City Council will review all requests at a meeting each fall and funding decisions will be approved at a meeting in November or December. The City Council may request applicants to attend a workshop meeting to discuss the request or respond to any questions. Recipients will be notified of City Council’s decision at the beginning of January.

Request Letter Template

[Organization name] respectfully requests that the Blaine City Council allocate funds from Charitable Gambling proceeds to support services provided by our organization. [Introduce the activities of your organization within the City of Blaine and how the activities benefit city residents.]

[Provide a narrative that details the need for the services your organization provides and how your services address/satisfy those needs. State the funding request and the specific need(s) this funding will address. Provide any additional information, such as reduced funding from other sources, statistics of population served, or other, that will benefit the City Council in considering your request.] 

State Law

State law specifically designates organizations eligible for Charitable Gambling Funds (section 349.12, subdivision 7a):

  • To a scholarship fund.
  • To relieve the effects of poverty, homelessness, or disability (for example, a homeless shelter).
  • To a program for the education, prevention, or treatment of problem gambling.
  • For recognition of military service (free and open to the public) or support for active military personnel and their immediate family members in need.
  • To a church.
  • With Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (PCA) approval, for citizen monitoring of surface water quality by individuals (requires submitting data to the PCA).
  • With Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) approval, for wildlife management projects or activities that benefit the public-at-large; grooming or maintaining snowmobile or ATV trails, or other trails open to public use; supplies and materials for DNR-coordinated safety training and education programs.
  • For nutritional programs, food shelves, and congregate dining programs primarily for persons age 62 or older or disabled.
  • For community arts organizations, or sponsorship of community arts programs that are free and open to the public.
  • For humanitarian service, recognizing volunteerism or philanthropy.