The Lac qui Parle area is participating in Welcoming & Inclusive Communities Project (WICP), a free nine-month initiative designed to empower rural communities to engage in welcoming and belonging efforts that spur economic development, promote community engagement and build thriving communities for new and current residents. Local organizers are looking for community members from Appleton, Dawson, Madison and the surrounding areas to be part of the WICP cohort.
Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
Southwest Initiative Foundation has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust as a philanthropic partner to award funds through its new Community Responsive Fund. SWIF will work closely with OBT to award $400,000 in grants of up to $75,000 each to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the community. The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. on April 19, 2024.
Briana Mumme
Briana Mumme has joined Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) staff as economic development manager. In this role, Mumme will help craft and implement innovative programs spanning business finance, entrepreneurship, workforce initiatives and regional economic development. Prior to joining SWIF, she served as the economic development coordinator for Redwood County.
Jackson Snow Angels remove snow, spread kindness
No act of kindness is ever wasted. Paul Spence lives by those words, and it’s the motto for a local nonprofit he helped create called the Jackson Snow Angels that clears snow for older adults for free. It’s a group effort among retirees, business owners, students and public health. In January, the Snow Angels received a grant from the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Endowment Fund at Southwest Initiative Foundation to help purchase a tractor.
Concrete Joe Construction
Joe DeVlaeminck is building his own business on the foundation of the former Tom Bofferding Construction company, which he purchased last year. Southwest Initiative Foundation’s Microenterprise Loan Program helped DeVlaeminck complete the purchase and launch Concrete Joe Construction, specializing in residential concrete work, from putting up foundation walls to flat work such as driveways, sidewalks and stamped slabs.
2024 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community, but need the tools and confidence to step into more formal leadership roles? Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is a leadership education program designed just for you. We’ll help you discover and build on your unique strengths so you can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions.