Our communities have the power to create a place where everyone is included and thriving.
We help by providing tools and resources, like grants. Grantmaking is at the heart of our role as a community foundation. We accept grant ideas on an ongoing basis as well as providing defined grant rounds throughout the year. Our grants are open to nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies and projects that use one of these entities as a fiscal partner.
Grants generally range from $1,000 to $20,000.
We will consider funding for up to 50 percent of a project. The remaining 50 percent must be provided through other sources including in-kind and a cash contribution.
We don’t award grants to individuals or to start a business. Instead, entrepreneurs can talk to our loan team. If the business plan seems like it could be a fit for Southwest Initiative Foundation, our loan team will help you apply for financing.
Read our grant guidelines to get more details about our funding focus and policies.
Open Grant Opportunity
Together We Thrive Grant
We bring people together to find solutions that benefit the entire region because we know we’re better together. We are seeking partners who help create belonging with grants supporting the following areas.
- Providing a strong foundation for youth to develop essential skills and resilience.
- Fostering thriving communities by empowering them to prioritize mental wellness.
- Creating a sense of belonging through collaborative projects that bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds.
All proposals must demonstrate a benefit within our southwest Minnesota region. Proposals must be submitted by an independent 501(c)(3) organization, a unit of government, religious institution or educational entity. Funding requests of between $500 to $5,000 will be considered. Projects must be completed within 12 months of the grant award date. Only one grant application may be submitted per organization.
The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. on May 31, 2024.
For full details, including eligibility, download the request for proposals (RFP).
Upcoming Grant Opportunity
PROMISE Act Grants
Southwest Initiative Foundation is partnering with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to distribute PROMISE Act Grants to businesses in southwest Minnesota.
Grants will range from $10,000 to $50,000. Funds can be used for working capital to support payroll expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utility bills, equipment, and other similar expenses that occur in the regular course of business.
Find out more about PROMISE Act Grants
Applications for the PROMISE Act Grant program within the Southwest Initiative Foundation region will open May 20.
If you’re seeking funding for work that doesn’t fit one of our open grant rounds, or there is not a grant round open currently, you can fill out our grant request form to tell us more about the project.
Before completing the form, please review our grant guidelines to be sure your project fits within our guidelines and criteria.
Questions can be directed to Nancy Fasching at (320) 484-9104 or by email.