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 Rounds
Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) as a philanthropic partner to award funds through its new Community Responsive Fund. SWIF will work closely with OBT to award $400,000 in grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the community.
Areas of Focus
Local nonprofits may apply for funding from the OBT’s Community Responsive Fund through SWIF. Qualified applications focus on:
- Basic Needs: This funding priority supports organizations assisting displaced individuals or those encountering various challenges in their journey toward self-sufficiency. These grants include those that focus on short-term assistance.
- Community Asset-building: This priority includes a variety of investments—all with a central focus on strengthening community assets.
- Health and Wellbeing: This priority seeks to increase the health and wellbeing of youth and adults.
- Restorative and Responsive Services: This priority focuses on assisting organizations dedicated to restoring stability for individuals and families encountering disruptive forces.
Southwest Initiative Foundation welcomes inclusive partnerships. We know that we are better together! We actively seek grantees and partners who share our commitment to belonging by incorporating diversity into their missions, fostering diverse leadership within their organizations and ensuring the communities they serve are reflected in their work. SWIF’s grantmaking reflects this commitment, promoting a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive.
The grant application deadline is 5 p.m. on April 19, 2024.
For full grant details, download the request for proposals (RFP) below.
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.