Twelve communities across southwest Minnesota are wrapping up final details for their Welcoming Week celebrations. The Swift County Area will kick things off with a party in the park on September 8, with the rest of the celebrations in the region happening through early October. Welcoming Week events are free and open to the public. You’re encouraged to invite friends and family to attend an event happening near you!
Nonprofit Training Opportunities
We host workshops and trainings designed to support the growth and success of nonprofits that serve southwest Minnesota.
Southwest Initiative Foundation awards $400,000 in grant funds through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
Southwest Initiative Foundation recently awarded 16 grants totaling $400,000 through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund to support local organizations that address community asset building, basic needs, health and well-being and restorative and responsive services.
Southwest Minnesota Child Care Listening Sessions Summary Report
SWIF hosted a series of five listening sessions across southwest Minnesota to gather regional feedback on the draft standards. More than 150 child care providers, directors, economic development professionals, employers, parents and community leaders attended these sessions to voice their concerns and recommendations. Cheryl Glaeser of Achieve TFC, LLC. facilitated the sessions and developed a summary report in partnership with SWIF to highlight the key challenges noted in the listening sessions and a summary of recommended changes to the standards.
Together We Thrive Grant Recipients
We envision a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. We bring people together to find solutions that benefit the entire region because we believe we’re better together. To do good work together, we recently awarded nearly $60,000 in grant funding to 17 partners across the region who help create belonging by: providing a strong foundation for youth to develop essential skills and resilience; fostering thriving communities by empowering them to prioritize mental wellness; and creating a sense of belonging through collaborative projects that bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Listening sessions for draft licensing standards for child care providers
Southwest Minnesota child care providers and child care champions are invited to attend a listening session to provide feedback, ideas and concerns regarding the draft licensing standards for family child care and child care centers published by the Department of Human Services as part of the Child Care Regulation Modernization Projects. One of SWIF’s priorities is supporting the growth and retention of child care programs in the region because we know access to quality child care is critical to community vitality and economic mobility. We are seeking the engagement and participation of child care providers and child care champions across the region to ensure the perspectives of southwest Minnesota are represented.
