Southwest Minnesota is home to more than 20,000 veterans who deserve our heartfelt thanks. We’re committed to seeing everyone thrive in our region, and that includes funding projects that help veterans. Below are some of the grants awarded in the last three years supporting local vets through our community foundation affiliates.
- Lake Benton Area Foundation helped the local elementary replace its flagpole in time for this year’s annual Veterans Day program. The school has a tradition of welcoming community members to join students at the program and wanted to have things in tip-top shape after a windstorm damaged the flagpole earlier this year. Lake Benton Elementary serves about 140 pre-K through 6th grade students.
- The WelcomeHome.Vet Initiative received a grant from Hutchinson Area Community Foundation to serve veterans as they transition from active-duty service to civilian life in rural communities.
- Madison Community Foundation granted money to supply handmade quilts to veterans.
- The Montevideo Area Community Foundation holds a fund designated to benefit individuals with physical disabilities in Chippewa, Lac qui Parle and Yellow Medicine counties. This fund helped support Granite Falls based nonprofit “Veterans In The Outdoors,” which provides adaptive outdoor outings for veterans and their loved ones.
- Darwin Community Legacy Foundation raised $60,000 to construct a memorial honoring veterans. Community members gathered last fall to dedicate it.
- Plans are under way for the new Loehman Park Veterans Memorial in Windom, and the Windom Area Foundation is nearing its goal of raising the $75,000 needed for the project.
In the past, SWIF also supported Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota and sending WWII vets to see their memorials in Washington, D.C. We are proud to honor the men and women who served our country. We are grateful for their sacrifices and contributions to keep our communities vibrant, our businesses successful and our families safe.
Please note: Our office is closed Nov. 11, 2022, in observance of Veterans Day.
Initiators Fellow and journalist Nora Hertel published a recent series focused on preventing suicide among veterans. You can read the series in the newsletter archives of The Optimist.
The Initiators Fellowship equips early-stage social entrepreneurs with the support they need to transform their ideas into scalable, sustainable ventures that serve and enrich Greater Minnesota.
SWIF participates in the fellowship alongside Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation and West Central Initiative. Nora founded The Optimist as a source for useful and inspiring journalism to readers across Greater Minnesota to spur community engagement and cooperative problem-solving.
Veterans By County
in Southwest Minnesota
389 Big Stone
798 Chippewa
693 Cottonwood
660 Jackson
2,494 Kandiyohi
479 Lac qui Parle
411 Lincoln
1,379 Lyon
2,416 McLeod
1,536 Meeker
577 Murray
979 Nobles
558 Pipestone
1,001 Redwood
946 Renville
3,455 Rock
638 Swift
595 Yellow Medicine
Source: Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report
When we honor veterans, we’re helping build vibrant and welcoming communities. Volunteer or make a gift to a local organization that serves vets, attend a Veterans Day program in your area, or say thank you to a veteran you know.
