Resources, Funding, and Support for Our Nonprofit Partners
Strong nonprofits are essential to a thriving region where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. From healthcare access and education to food security and social support, Southwest Minnesota’s nonprofits are addressing critical needs in our communities.
We support our nonprofit partners by offering grant funding, educational training, and resources to bolster their work.
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Grants and Sponsorships
Grantmaking is at the heart of our role as a community foundation. Our grants are open to nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies and projects that use one of these entities as a fiscal partner. We accept grant ideas on an ongoing basis as well as providing defined grant rounds throughout the year. If you’re seeking funding for work that doesn’t fit one of our open grant rounds, or there is not a grant round open currently, you can fill out our grant request form to tell us more about the project.
Educational Sponsorships for Nonprofit Professionals
We sponsor event and training attendance to provide nonprofit professionals educational opportunities so that they can strengthen their leadership skills and deepen their expertise. Sponsorships are awarded on an ongoing basis, depending on funding availability.
Annual Conference
Our annual conference, “Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course,” offers a day of learning and connection for nonprofit professionals and volunteers. Sessions include important topics such as assessing the financial health of your organization, scenario planning, crisis communications, compliance best practices, and more.
Focus Forward: Nonprofit Office Days
Take a break from the daily demands of your desk and dedicate a day to the work that matters most. Focus Forward: Nonprofit Office Days offers nonprofit professionals a calm, focused workspace, opportunities to connect with peers, one-on-one technical assistance with Propel Nonprofits, and a lunch & learn session designed to inspire new ideas and practical strategies.
Partner Resources
Legal Resources: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and LegalCORPS help nonprofits answer their legal questions through the pro bono Nonprofit Legal Services Initiative.
Starting a Nonprofit: It takes time and effort to start a new nonprofit in Minnesota. With the right preparation, it can be a rewarding journey. Our partners at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits have resources for navigating the process, including key steps you’ll need to take to turn your passion into a successful nonprofit.
Expert Guidance: Propel Nonprofits is a longtime parter of SWIF and offers guidance, expertise, and capital for nonprofits in our region and across the state. Its programs and services provide a holistic approach to meet your most pressing needs, including the ability to more closely link strategy, governance, and finance.