Support Us
Your support makes all the difference!
The Ely Folk School has a prominent place atop the hill in downtown Ely. You can help us continue to serve as a welcoming presence to tourists, established residents, and newcomers alike. An investment in the Ely Folk School is an investment in lifelong learning in a world that’s proven there is an infinite amount to learn.
Donors have shared that they give for a variety of reasons, but a common theme is recognition that a donation to the Ely Folk School brings people together.
Shopping at our mercantile is a great way to support the EFS! We carry unique handmade goods from our Instructor Artisans. Stop in to shop any time during open hours.
Keep us in mind for gift-giving! From hand-forged knives to felted sauna hats, we have the perfect gift for anybody.
Volunteer
If the cost of registering for a class is prohibitive, consider volunteering for the Ely Folk School. Select responsibilities earn volunteers tuition credit in exchange for time. Volunteers earn 1 hour of class credit for every 3 hours of volunteering and home-stay hosts earn 8 hours of class credit per host night. You could also serve as a class host. Class hosts are asked to refrain from participating in the actual craft during the class, but hosts have access to class content.
If you are interested in volunteering you can start the conversation by filling out our volunteer form.
There are infinite ways to help.
Review our suggested volunteer opportunities, but also consider your personal interests. We’d love to hear from you if you have an idea for how you can help us serve our mission.
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Serve as a home-stay host
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Join the cleaning dream team
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Event planning & hosting
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Share your experience – write a review
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Assist in the mercantile or volunteer at the front desk
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Represent us at the Ely Farmers Market
Bois Forte Native Names Map
Mesaba, Biwabik, Kawishiwi, Saganaga—these northern Minnesota place names are among many easily recognized as having native origins associated with the region’s indigenous Ojibwe residents.
In collaboration with the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, the non-profit Ely Folk School (EFS) & volunteer artists have completed a two-year project to create a map of the band’s traditional realm. This includes a 100-mile expanse of boreal forest from Lake Vermilion to Nett Lake and entails over 100 original names and meanings.