Nothing compares to a day at the pool during southwest Minnesota’s hot summer months. The Pipestone Area Community Foundation helped more kids get in the water last summer with a grant supporting a unique program: The City of Pipestone Ewert Recreation Department provides assistances for qualifying families to purchase swimming lessons and aquatic passes for their children.
Community Foundations
Ready, set, play! Local grant supports Lake Benton Elementary School playgrounds
The playgrounds at Lake Benton Elementary are more than just a space for students during school hours. They are a central part of the Lake Benton community. Families, residents and visitors regularly enjoy the playground after school, on weekends, and during community events like Saddle Horse Days.
Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship
It’s graduation season! Across southwest Minnesota, communities are celebrating. And our fund partners are investing in students’ dreams and goals through local scholarship programs. We currently host 10 dedicated scholarship funds as well as many others that provide scholarships in addition to funding other projects. One of our funds is the Kristi Elaine Teigen Memorial Scholarship, launched in 2010 to support Jackson County Central (JCC) High School graduates.
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.
‘Small towns can bloom in big ways’
Picture a city where streets bloom with baskets of flowers, trees grow to shade the sidewalks and residents take pride in their surroundings. This is the city of Dawson, thanks in part to Dawson Community Foundation grants dedicated to city beautification efforts.
Bird Island-Olivia Community Foundation supports students
Students attending BOLD High School in Olivia are experiencing extra support at school this winter thanks to grants made by the Bird Island-Olivia Community Foundation. The foundation granted a total of $6,075 in fall 2024, including $2,500 for the Care Closet.
