30 Years of Impact
Over 30 years ago, The McKnight Foundation joined forces with individuals who wanted to strengthen rural Minnesota. Together, they established six Minnesota Initiative Foundations, including our very own Southwest Initiative Foundation.
Since then, SWIF has grown thanks to the innumerable amount of people who lead, support and work with us. Our transformation from a fund to a foundation has allowed us to change the landscape of southwest Minnesota.
Thanks to your trust in our work and your investment in this incredible region, we can continue to support southwest Minnesota in being the best place to grow, learn and live.
- Southwest Initiative Foundation received gifts from 2,392 donors–individuals, families, businesses, counties, cities, organizations and other foundations–who all wanted to give back in Fiscal Year 2016.
- We awarded 391 grants totaling nearly $1.5 million to help nonprofits and communities in our region.
- Our family of 25 community affiliates and 101 funds supported critical local needs and projects.
During the past year, we followed plans already in place and created new plans to guide our future. Each one of you is important to making our work a success and together, we’ve strengthened southwest Minnesota—not just today, but for the next generation, too.
Thank you for trusting our vision and for making it part of your own.
Looking Forward, Giving Back
Learn about the impact of giving and grantmaking in our southwest Minnesota region by reviewing our latest edition of Looking Forward, Giving Back.
This book includes the stories of four donors who are giving through Southwest Initiative Foundation.
Email or call us at 800-594-9480 to receive a printed copy.
