The late Francis Johnson started creating what would become Darwin’s famous Twine Ball 75 years ago. The Darwin Community Legacy Foundation is spearheading the recognition of 2025 as a milestone year, in partnership with the city of Darwin.
Home Page Feature
New board members Eriann Faris and Valerie Halvorson
Welcome to new board members Eriann Faris and Valerie Halvorson! Eriann serves as the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Project Coordinator at Southwest West Central Service Cooperative. Valerie works as the City Manager for the City of Madison. Their expertise, experience, and perspectives will bring tremendous value as we enter our 40th anniversary year in 2026 and as we embark on the next chapter of our organization.
Introducing Southwest Minnesota Community Capital
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) has formed a new subsidiary called Southwest Minnesota Community Capital with the goal of achieving certification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Pursuing CDFI certification marks a bold step forward in realizing our vision of a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. This transformational initiative will deepen our impact and strengthen our role in advancing economic mobility for our region.
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.
2025 Child Care Listening Sessions: Draft Two
We invite southwest Minnesota child care providers, economic development professionals, community leaders and champions of child care to attend a listening session to learn about and provide feedback, ideas and concerns regarding the second draft of licensing standards for child care centers published by the Department of Human Services as part of the Child Care Regulation Modernization Projects.
What makes a leader?
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.
