For the love of rural
Southwest Initiative Foundation was founded on a belief in the power of rural communities to grow, adapt, and thrive. Today, that belief is stronger than ever.
What began as a bold idea has grown into a community of changemakers committed to building vibrant towns, strong families, and a resilient rural region.
Our work has always centered on what rural communities can achieve when connected and supported. As we celebrate 40 years, we honor the partnerships, generosity, and grassroots leadership that have shaped our story. And we look forward to the shared future we’re still creating together.
Share your story
As Southwest Initiative Foundation marks 40 years, we’re celebrating the people who make this region home and the partners who make our work possible. We’d love to include your story.
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Read Submitted Stories
Project Future in Dawson
The Dawson Community Foundation (DCF) story began with a well attended community based event called Project Future initiated by the University of Minnesota Extension, coordinated by John Olson from the Lac quie Parle County 4-H office.
Walnut Grove Mercantile
In 2001, our honey business expanded to a new facility with the help of financing from SWIF. We now provide tons of fudge and caramels to nonprofit organizations in 41 states, helping each organization fund their many special activities. Our growth helped us pay back SWIF’s investment in us, and our company, Walnut Grove Mercantile, continues to grow substantially.
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Give for what comes next
As we mark 40 years of impact, your support helps ensure rural communities continue to thrive today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Join us, for the love of rural.
Timeline
1986
Southwest Initiative Foundation, originally named the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund, is one of six regional funds established by The McKnight Foundation to strengthen Greater Minnesota. It opens its doors at the historical Volstead House in Granite Falls.
1987
SWIF distributes grants totaling over $300,000 and loans totaling over $180,000 in its first year.
1990
Marvin Schwan and The Schwan Food Company create the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Endowment Fund.
1993
SWIF creates two new loan categories to meet immediate economic needs, including the Farm Project Entrepreneur Loan Program to assist displaced or dislocated farmers in starting a new business or career and the Entrepreneur Loan Guarantee Program.
1997
Sherry E. Ristau becomes the executive director, later named President/CEO, of SWIF.
1998
Corporate office relocates to Hutchinson, with field-office based staff positions located throughout the 18-county area. SWIF funds flood and tornado recovery projects in southwest Minnesota, and partners for the first time with the Valspar Foundation’s “Minnesota Beautiful” program.
1999
The Microenterprise Loan Program is piloted. Later funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2001 allows SWIF to add the technical assistance component and provides loan capital to expand the program.
2000
The Parish Nurse Initiative is introduced through the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund.
2001
The Community Foundation Program is launched, allowing donors to make gifts to SWIF and designate them for use in their own communities.
2003
SWIF, in partnership with the other Minnesota Initiative Foundations and The McKnight Foundation, launches the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative to increase the quality care and education of Greater Minnesota’s youngest children, ages 0-5.
2005
SWIF launches the Growing Home Circle and receives $1.5 million from the estate of Walter and Arthur Anderson of rural Russell, Minn., the largest gift from a private party that SWIF has ever received. The Economic Advancement Initiative launches and the Renewable Energy Marketplace™ branding effort for the region begins.
2006
SWIF celebrates its 20th anniversary, adopts its new name and completes construction on a new office building, located at the gateway to southwest Minnesota on the corner of highways 15 and 7 in Hutchinson.
2007
The Connected Communities Partnership, which later is incorporated into various areas of SWIF’s work rather than serving as a stand-along program, partners with Montevideo and New London. YES! program is piloted in partnership with Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center.
2008
Hosted in partnership with Southwest Minnesota Workforce Council, Leading By Example brings together Southwest Minnesota business leaders for learning and networking. The Rural Energy Development Initiative (REDI) receives a $950,000 legislative award and $500,000 from The McKnight Foundation to build expertise and leadership around community-based wind energy in Greater Minnesota.
2009
The first gift of farmland is received into the Keep It Growing℠ farmland retention program. Encore Entrepreneurship program is established through the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Endowment Fund to assist people age 55 and better who want to explore business and self-employment opportunities.
2010
The Nonprofit Leader’s Academy is launched through a partnership with the Institute for Conservation Leadership. Components of the Academy include an online assessment of leadership skills completed by peers, an opening two-day workshop, individual coaching sessions and a one-day closing workshop. SWIF receives an International Economic Development Council Excellence in Economic Development Award recognizing the foundation’s work to nurture and support individuals or emerging small businesses to develop their ideas, products, and services into viable, competitive businesses.
2011
SWIF kicks off its 25th anniversary with a $25,000 grant to Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota. USDA Rural Development State Director Colleen Landkamer visits Hutchinson to award SWIF a $500,000 loan and a $105,000 grant. The funds come from Rural Development’s Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP) and will assist rural entrepreneurs. It is the first RMAP awarded in Minnesota.
2013
SWIF distributes 10,000 children’s books through the Early Childhood Initiative, which celebrates its 10-year milestone as a statewide initiative. Business Finance program approves $1.8 million in loans and microloan/entrepreneurship team launches Social Media Breakfasts in multiple communities.
2014
SWIF helps start the first Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) class in the state of Minnesota for high school students in Kandiyohi County. KCEO is supported through a partnership with the Willmar Area Community Foundation and 50 area businesses. This year also marks the first Leadership in Philanthropy conference, with more than 70 nonprofit leaders and volunteers becoming equipped and inspired to improve their fundraising skills.
2015
SWIF commissions Wilder Research to conduct an assessment on needs of aging residents in the region to identify potential southwest Minnesota-specific strategies to encourage and develop age-friendly communities.
2016
Grow Our Own launches, a comprehensive, 10-year strategy to align resources, build momentum, and close the opportunity gap for our kids. The 2016 Grow Our Own Summit in Marshall welcomes more than 500 people to hear Robert D. Putnam’s keynote based on his book “Our Kids: The American Dream in Crisis”. SWIF engages a small group of emerging leaders in southwest Minnesota to provide vision and insight for an Emerging Leaders Cabinet, a new committee of the SWIF Board of Directors.
2017
SWIF is one of nine community foundations across the country to participate in the Rural Economic Development Philanthropy Innovation Network (REDPIN). This leads to a taskforce of 15 child care providers, educators, agencies and employers who help map the child care system in Southwest Minnesota. SWIF celebrates its 1,000th loan since the community foundation formed in 1986. FBT Sawmill in Steen received the landmark loan, helping finance a custom-made vacuum kiln for the family-owned business operating in Rock County since 2000.
2018
Hundreds of employers, educators, students, elected officials, nonprofits and service providers, community leaders, and concerned citizens attend the 2018 Grow Our Own Summit. SWIF is a founding partner for Launch Your Future Today (LYFT), a rural career and technical education (CTE) pathway initiative.
The U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes SWIF among 12 lenders throughout Minnesota committed to helping small businesses succeed with the SBA Minnesota Rural Lender Community Impact Award.
2019
The McKnight Foundation awards a $600,000 grant over two years to support the Southwest Minnesota Teacher Preparation Partnership, a unique career pathway model created by Worthington Public School District, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University and Southwest Initiative Foundation. SWIF takes part of The Aspen Institute Community Strategies Group 2019 project to explore Rural Development Hubs — organizations at the heart of positive development and inclusive action in rural places.
2020
When the COVID-19 pandemic hits, SWIF leverages resources, expertise, and connections to deploy $6.4 million dollars through grants and loans—more than doubling grant volume and quadrupling loan volume from the previous year. As a new member of Welcoming America, SWIF partners with three communities to host the first Welcoming Week celebrations in southwest Minnesota — Willmar, Worthington and Granite Falls.
2021
More than 300 caring adults log on to “The Power of One,” a virtual forum SWIF hosts featuring award-winning speaker and bestselling author, Josh Shipp. SWIF is one of eight organizations chosen statewide for the first round of the Main Street Economic Revitalization Program through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The foundation receives $2.2 million to provide grants and loans for businesses in the commercial corridors of Litchfield, Worthington and Granite Falls to support economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak.
2023
Diana Anderson retires from her role as President/CEO following 22 years with the foundation. Scott Marquardt takes on the role of President after leading SWIF’s economic development work for more than 15 years and serving as Senior Vice President. The Growing Local: Emerging Leaders program relaunches 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.
2024
Newly formed subsidiary Southwest Minnesota Community Capital disburses its first business loan. As an emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), SMCC positions the foundation to help advance economic mobility for Southwest Minnesota.
2025
Business lending sees a historic level of demand from entrepreneurs pursuing their dreams. More than 20 percent of total lending volume from the past 39 years is active in SWIF’s portfolio. Nonprofit professionals and fund partners attend Navigating the Currents, Charting the Course for a day of inspiration and connection.
2026
SWIF celebrates 40 years of investing in Southwest Minnesota, with a total of $58.7 million in grants and $62.5 million in loans since inception.