In the face of challenges including addiction and incarceration, Mark Stewart has persevered. After suffering the loss of his partner, Taylor Joy, to mental illness, something clicked for him, and he has been relentlessly serving his community since then. A nontraditional leadership journey like Mark’s has steep highs and lows. He has kept going through them all.
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Where are they now? Southwest Minnesota Initiators Fellows
Are you ready to turn your passion for social change into a thriving enterprise? The Initiators Fellowship is here to help you. We’ve gathered stories from our southwest Minnesota Initiators Fellows past and present to give you an idea of where the fellowship could take you!
Grants benefit local libraries in southwest Minnesota
Many of our local community foundation partners make grants to benefit libraries in southwest Minnesota, supporting a variety of projects. Thanks to funding from the Hutchinson Area Community Foundation and the Friends of the Library, the Hutchinson Public Library was able to purchase 12 custom-built children’s picture book bins.
Falls Boutique has what it takes to be a successful small business in rural Minnesota
When Falls Boutique opened, the focus was more on clothing. But shoppers gravitated toward gifts and home essentials like detergent and hand soap. Some items are still for fun: The store sells just as many Christmas ornaments throughout the year as it does in December.
Apply for the 2025 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort
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.
Claire Meyers joins staff
Claire Meyers of Sleepy Eye has joined Southwest Initiative Foundation’s (SWIF) staff as Entrepreneurship Program Manager. In this role, Meyers will lead entrepreneurship, business education and technical assistance programs and initiatives for the nonprofit community foundation.
