Southwest Initiative Foundation recently awarded 9 grants totaling $400,000 through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund to support local organizations that address literacy, adoption and foster care services, children’s health, children’s disability services, mental health, and capital projects for hospitals and clinics.
News Releases
Important staff updates at the foundation
We want to share an important update regarding our team. Due to funding constraints and the need to realign our teams for greater efficiency, we have made the difficult decision to eliminate two positions effective July 30: Youth & Community Program Officer and Community Engagement Specialist.
The Gift II
Lori Varcoe has opened The Gift II in Canby with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. A longtime employee of the original boutique, The Gift, Varcoe purchased the business and updated its name. The Gift II offers clothing, décor, gifts, permanent jewelry and furniture. Varcoe also provides consignment opportunities for local artists and fellow small business owners.
Juul Underground
Matt Yurek’s business Juul Underground is ready to dig into new projects with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. Launched earlier this year, Juul Underground provides sewer and water repairs. The company’s name may look familiar to locals: Yurek previously worked for Juul Contracting, whose owner is retiring from the business. Keeping part of the previous name Yurek hopes will help with brand recognition.
K&S Roll-Off’s
Kyle and Sommer Harris are growing K&S Roll-Off’s with help from our Microenterprise Loan Program. The couple launched in April 2023 and have seen success in their first couple years as small business owners. K&S drops off and picks up dumpsters and disposes of a wide variety of waste on behalf of customers. Options include roll-off containers in three sizes: 13-yard, 17-yard and 21-yard.
Closet Collective
Autumn Dreier is the new owner of a long-time consignment shop in New London, and she’s given it a new name. Dreier purchased the asset’s of Camille’s Closet with help from Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) Microenterprise Loan Program. It’s now the Closet Collective, where premium consignment and upscale thrifting come together for good.
