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!
Vibrant Communities
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.
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.
Meet our 2024 Growing Local Emerging Leaders
This year’s Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort participants represent nine different communities across southwest Minnesota. Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is designed to help up-and-coming leaders discover and build on their unique strengths so they can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions. It’s facilitated by SWIF in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension.
2024 cohort named for Growing Local Emerging Leaders
We’re excited to announce the participants who will make up this year’s Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort, representing 10 different communities across southwest Minnesota. Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is designed to help up-and-coming leaders discover and build on their unique strengths so they can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions. It’s facilitated by SWIF in partnership with University of Minnesota Extension.
