FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing
Heidi Danos, Director
218.209.2002
heidi@fireflycenter.org
FireflyCenter.org

RELEASE DATE
May 5, 2026

Firefly Center Launches $230,400 Campaign After Federal Policy Changes Force Partial Repayment and Strip Critical Operating Support

A Fosston nonprofit that played by all the rules — is now asking for help.

FOSSTON, Minn. — When people hear what happened to the Firefly Center, the room goes quiet.

Firefly can no longer use a large portion of contracted funding as intended — and is now being forced to pay back dollars already spent in good faith under a fully executed contract.

This is not a story of poor planning or mismanagement. This community organization did everything right — and was blindsided anyway.

During the past six years, the Firefly Center has grown from an idea into a functioning hub for arts, wellbeing, and community connection in rural northwest Minnesota. From the beginning, the organization was built with financial sustainability in mind — knowing it would take time to achieve, and putting every structure in place to get there. The Firefly Lofts generate rental income. Alluma's mental health clinic operates out of the building, paying rent and serving clients daily. The plan was working.Firefly offers free or low-cost programming — funded through the generosity of community and philanthropic support — so that cost is rarely a barrier to participation. From events like Perspectives on Mental Health & Suicide to Sketches of Minnesota to intergenerational art classes, we have built real roots in this community, reaching people who would otherwise have limited access to arts, mental health, and unique community programming in one of the most underserved regions of the state.

Firefly’s buildout was funded almost entirely by private foundation funding — nearly $1 million secured through years of strategic, relentless work. The board planned carefully. Contracts were signed. 

“We have asked very little of those in our service area to get where we’re at,” said Director Heidi Danos. “That was intentional. Our rural area deserves access to a space like this, and we had everything in place to ensure our long-term success. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in a dire financial position because the rules changed after the contract was executed and the ink was dry.”

Shifts in federal funding policy removed a critical piece of Firefly’s financial foundation. The result is a gap that has pushed this organization to a make-or-break moment — despite years of responsible, strategic financial stewardship.

The Firefly Center has launched "Light The Way," a fundraising campaign with a goal of $230,400 — the operating support Firefly can no longer access as intended as a result of federal funding policy changes — giving Firefly the time and stability needed to become the fully financially sustainable organization it was already on track to be. The campaign is live at FireflyCenter.org.

About Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing

Firefly Center for Art & Wellbeing is a nonprofit organization based in Fosston, Minnesota, dedicated to making arts and creative connection accessible to everyone in rural northwest Minnesota. Through programming in the arts and community wellbeing offerings — and in partnership with organizations including Alluma — Firefly serves individuals and families across one of the most underserved regions of the state. Learn more at FireflyCenter.org.

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Heidi Danos at Heidi@FireflyCenter.org or 218.209.2002.