Community Impact
We provide grants and programs to create opportunities for all people to thrive in our local communities.
At Southwest Initiative Foundation, our grantmaking, proactive programming and community-led belonging activities help create opportunities for all people to thrive in the communities they call home.
Solve Local Challenges
Build True Belonging
Draw in New Leaders
and Ideas
Being an active community member has its challenges…
- You love your community and want to make sure its future is bright, but you don’t know where to start.
- You have a project in mind to do good but not enough funding to make it happen.
- You want to connect with other community members who want to work on projects, but you don’t know who they are.
- Barriers like language or finances keep you from participating the way you want to, and you’re not sure how to get around them.
You’re a powerful force for good in your town, and we’re here to support you!
A full team of Southwest Initiative Foundation staff focus on rural equity, youth and family and civic and community engagement in our rural region.
Our work includes:
- Nonprofit capacity building
- Support of children and youth programing
- Resources to celebrate Welcoming Week and engage in Welcoming Communities Project
- Support for emerging community leaders
- Support for Age Friendly Communities
- Building resiliency after emergencies and natural disasters
- And more!
Grants
Grantmaking is at the heart of our role as a community foundation. We accept grant concept ideas on an ongoing basis and provide defined grant rounds throughout the year.
Community Engagement
We’re a partner in deepening and building trusting relationships across differences. We listen, learn, and support communities that have been excluded.
Events
We make connections through local events that support a vibrant and welcoming region here in southwest Minnesota.
