Want to Help the Ely Community? Here's How.
The ongoing fires affecting northeastern Minnesota* have impacted far more than our forests. Local businesses, nonprofits, tourism organizations, and community programs are experiencing canceled trips, reduced visitors, interrupted operations, and lost income.
*We recognize that our neighbors on the eastern side of the BWCA along the Gunflint Trail are also impacted by wildfires. Our team is based in Ely and best equipped to facilitate Ely-area support.
If you’ve been asking, “How can I help if I can’t visit Ely right now?” here are some of the most meaningful ways to support our community.
This post includes tips for supporting firefighters, local businesses, and nonprofits.
Every Contribution Matters
Whether you donate to a nonprofit, support emergency responders, buy a gift card, reserve a future canoe trip, or simply share this post, you’re helping sustain the people, businesses, and organizations that make Ely such a special place.
Our community is resilient, and every act of generosity helps us recover together.
Support Firefighters & Emergency Responders
Many people have asked how they can support the firefighters and emergency personnel responding to these fires.
The Best Ways to Help
Donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides direct assistance to wildland firefighters and their families.
If you’d like to support local emergency response efforts, consider donating to the Gunflint Fire Department or St. Louis County Rescue Squad, whose teams are assisting with emergency response and public safety.
Please Do Not Send Supplies
Local and regional emergency response leaders have confirmed that most firefighters do not need donations of food, beverages, clothing, or other supplies at this time.
The U.S. Forest Service is providing food, lodging, and logistical support for wildland firefighters. While these donations come from a place of generosity, unsolicited items often cannot be accepted or used during active incidents.
Financial donations to trusted organizations are the most effective way to help.
*We acknowledge that firefighters work for multiple different agencies and operate under myriad protocols. However, generally speaking, it remains true that firefighters do not need donations of food, beverages, clothing, or other supplies at this time.
Support Local Businesses
One of the best ways to help is to support Wilderness edge communities from wherever you are. Purchasing a gift card, ordering online, or booking a future visit provides immediate support for local business owners, employees, and their families.
Ways to Help
Buy gift cards to use later.
Book a future stay, guided trip, or canoe adventure.
If you’re able, consider keeping existing reservations instead of requesting refunds.
Share your favorite Ely businesses on social media.
Give a 5-star review of your favorite local businesses on whichever sites you use (Facebook, Google, Trip Advisor, and so on).
Come to the area to engage in commerce and participate in community events, or plan to visit when conditions meet your needs.
Shop online from Ely businesses.
Note that downtown businesses and local service providers remain OPEN. Help us combat the misconception that Ely is shut down. We remain committed to our culture of gathering.
Ely Restaurants, Coffee & Food
For a more complete list of Ely area business and restaurants, consult the Ely Summer Times.
Boathouse Brewpub & Restaurant – www.boathousebrewpub.com
Boundary Waters Kitchen & Market – www.boundarywaterskitchen.com
Brainstorm Bakery / Crapola – www.brainstormbakery.com
Britton’s Café – www.brittonscafe.com
Burntside Lodge - https://www.burntside.com/dining
Carbonation Ely — Carbonation
Ely Area Food Shelf - Ely Area Food Shelf — Ely Area Food Shelf
Frisky Otter – www.friskyotter.com
Gator’s Grilled Cheese Emporium – www.gatorsely.com
Grand Ely Lodge – Evergreen Restaurant – www.evergreenmn.com
Insula Restaurant – www.insularestaurant.com
Log Cabin Coffee & Ice Cream - https://www.facebook.com/logcabincoffee/
Northern Grounds Coffee & Wine Bar – www.northerngroundscoffeeandtea.com
Sheridan Street Delicatessen – www.sheridanstreetdeli.com
Starbeam Bakery – hotplate.com/starbeambakery
Ely Shopping & Gifts
Art Corner - https://www.theartcorner.net/
Art & Soul Gallery & Gift House – www.artandsoulely.com
Art with a Point (Tattoo Artist) - www.artwithapoint.com
Babbitt Thrift Store - Northern-Frontiers Thrift - Thrift Store - Babbitt, Minnesota
Brandenburg Gallery - https://www.facebook.com/brandenburggallery/
Blue Loon Gallery & Boutique – www.blueloongallery.com
Dorothy Molter Museum - www.rootbeerlady.com
Evergreen cottage - https://elywellness.com/
Ely’s Old Fashioned Candy – www.elycandy.com
Ely Folk School - www.elyfolkschool.org
Ely Mercantile Co. – www.elymercantile.com
Ely Sportswear – www.elysportswear.com
ElyWear – www.elywear.com
Five Pines Candle Co- www.fivepinescandleco.com
Firefly Vintage & Antiques - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566951414971#
Gracie’s Plant Works - https://www.graciesplantworks.com/
Kekekabic Studios - https://www.facebook.com/kekekabicstudio/
Lobo Gun Leather - https://lobogunleather.com/
Mealey’s Gift & Sauna Shop – www.mealeysgiftandsauna.com
Meadows gallery & studios - https://www.themeadowsely.com/
Northern Expressions Gifts & Ice Cream - Northern-Expressions-Ice-Cream
Piragis Northwoods Company -
Shopping & gear: www.boundarywaterscatalog.com
Outfitting: www.piragis.com
Pengal’s Basswood Trading Co. – www.basswoodtrading.com
Prairie Fire Tobacco & Chapman Street Books - (218) 365-2212
Potluck Kitchenware – www.potluckkitchenware.com
Spirit of the Wilderness - https://www.facebook.com/bwcaoutfitters
Steger Mukluks – www.mukluks.com
Sisu Designs Yarn Shop - https://sisudesigns.org/
Three Jewels Pottery - Home | Three Jewels Pottery
Treely / BMF jewelry - https://www.bmfjewelry.com/treely
Wintergreen Northern Wear – www.wintergreennorthernwear.com
Ely Services
Ely Steam Sauna - https://www.elysteamsauna.net/
Ely Golf Club - https://www.elymngolfclub.com/
End of the Road Yoga - https://endoftheroadyoga.com/
Etoile Du Nord Day Spa - etoiledunordely.square.site
Grace Lutheran Church - graceinely.org
Iron Range Equine Sanctuary - Iron Range Equine Sanctuary
Ledge Rock Church -LedgeRock Community Church - Ely, Minnesota Baptist Church
Precious Paws Humane Society of Chisholm - Welcome to Precious Paws Humane Society of Chisholm: Saving Lives, One Paw at a Time
Support Many Businesses with One Purchase
Purchase an Ely Indie Gift Card, accepted at many locally owned businesses:
https://giverrang.com/ely-mn-gift-cards/
Support Local Nonprofits
Many Ely-area nonprofits provide essential services, care for vulnerable residents, protect our natural resources, and strengthen our community. During this challenging season, many are experiencing increased demand while fundraising and events have been disrupted.
Organizations to consider supporting include:
Ely Area Food Shelf – Helping ensure local residents have reliable access to food. https://elyareafoodshelf.org/march-2026-campaign/
Ely Community Resource – Youth programs, community education, outdoor experiences, and support for local families. https://sites.google.com/elycommunityresource.org/ecr
Contented Critters – Donations help provide pet food, temporary boarding, air filtration, and care for animals affected by the fires.
https://www.contentedcrittersmn.org/donateNorthwoods Partners – Supporting older adults and caregivers throughout the Ely area. https://www.northwoodspartners.org/give
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota – Supporting disaster relief and recovery efforts. If donating, note that you’d like your contribution directed to Ely Fire Response.
www.unitedwaynemn.org/firehelpEly’s Historic State Theater - The Ely State Theater has been generously hosting the Ely Community Response team! Support this local nonprofit. https://www.givemn.org/organization/Elystatetheater
Happy Days- Nonprofit daycare that has provided a safe and joyful space for children of families who under evacuation. https://www.happydaysely.com/supportus
If you are a local nonprofit with an immediate need, please email elycommunityresponse@gmail.com so we can add your organization to this resource.
While we are highlighting a handful of local nonprofits with this post, we celebrate all of Ely’s 100+ nonprofit organizations. Disruptions to our typical summer commerce have ripple effects that impact all groups.
Did We Miss Someone?
If you own an Ely-area business that offers gift cards, online shopping, or shipping—or if you represent a nonprofit or community organization that should be included—please email elycommunityresponse@gmail.com.
We’ll continue updating this community resource as needs evolve.
Please share this post. Every donation, purchase, and share helps support the Ely community.