Together we thrive in southwest Minnesota
For nearly 40 years, we’ve been listening to what matters most to southwest Minnesota. Through giving, economic development and community impact, we’re becoming a region where all people thrive.
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We are a community of people who are passionate about making a difference in southwest Minnesota.
We are driven to innovate and find new ways to solve problems. We are generous with our time, our resources and our knowledge. And we are committed to building a vibrant region where everyone feels like they belong.
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$53.9 million
in grants
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$59.8 million
in loans
Meet our 2024 Growing Local Emerging Leaders
This year’s Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort participants represent nine different communities across southwest Minnesota. Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is designed to help up-and-coming leaders discover and build on their unique strengths so they can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions. It’s facilitated by SWIF in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension.
Celebrating our outgoing board members
Board members Kathy Wehking, Abdirizak Mahboub and Patricia Dols volunteered a combined 23 years on our board, and we want to share our gratitude as they end their terms of service. Together with fellow board members, they guided us through a president/CEO leadership transition and the challenges of weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. During their service, we accelerated our investments to support access to quality, affordable child care; launched Welcoming Week and the Growing Local: Emerging Leaders Program; and leveraged our connections and expertise to ensure relief and recovery funding flowed into our region’s businesses and communities. Southwest Initiative Foundation and southwest Minnesota are better because of their service!
Tortilleria El Maná opens in Worthington
Fresh tortillas are now available in Worthington thanks to Maynor Lopez. He recently opened Tortilleria El Maná on Oxford Street with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Business Finance Loan Program. A tortilleria is essentially a tortilla bakery. Tortillerias are common in Mexico and Central America and usually sell corn tortillas by weight. While Maynor is new to business ownership, he has plenty of experience making tortillas in his home country of Guatemala. Now he makes 80 pounds of them every day at Tortilleria El Maná.
Our work can look different from one program, partnership or place to another. Our values guide our work and ensure we bring the same care and commitment everywhere we show up.