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Southwest Initiative Foundation

we do good work to help great people succeed.

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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.

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Solve Local Challenges

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Build True Belonging

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Draw in New Leaders
and Ideas

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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.
CONTACT US
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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!

Connect

3 Ways to Get Connected

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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.

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Community Engagement

We’re a partner in deepening and building trusting relationships across differences. We listen, learn, and support communities that have been excluded.

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Events

We make connections through local events that support a vibrant and welcoming region here in southwest Minnesota.

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ACTION

3 Steps to Making a Difference

STEP 1

Contact us.

Tell us more about your project or idea that will help your community thrive.

STEP 2

Let’s partner.

Together, we’ll find which program works best to support your goals or connect you to other resources.

STEP 3

Make a real impact.

Apply the ideas to your community to see what can happen next.

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TESTIMONIALS

What Community Leaders Are Saying…

“I’m excited about this leadership program because I believe it will give me opportunities to learn many skills, build confidence, connect with people and enhance my leadership skills. Leadership is very important to me, and it’s about being a good role model, taking responsibility and serving others.”

Hsa Mu, Growing Local: Emerging Leaders (Marshall)

“We’ve always wanted the space to be accessible for everyone and have scholarships available for when cost is a factor. The Grow Our Own grant helps us reach even more families.”

Katie Luoto, Rise + Roam Indoor Play Space (Litchfield)

Help build a region where all people can thrive.

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15 3rd Avenue NW | Hutchinson, MN 55350 | (320) 587-4848| Email Us

Southwest Initiative Foundation is located on the original and contemporary homelands of the Dakota people in Minnesota.

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