Grants

Grantmaking is a key role of community foundations like Southwest Initiative Foundation.

Most of our grants are awarded through our more than 120 fund partners, which have their own grant application guidelines. If you have a fund in your area, it may be a resource for you.

We can award grants to nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies and projects that use one of these entities as a fiscal partner. 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.

OPEN GRANT: COVID-19 Relief Grant for Youth

Southwest Initiative Foundation received funding to support youth ages 0 to 24 years old in communities disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 crisis, specifically for those that have faced historic racial discrimination.

Our vision is for southwest Minnesota to be a place where all people thrive. We believe that dignity and belonging are core human values, and we will work together with communities to address the systems and barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential. At a time of division and uncertainty, we must lead with our organizational values of equity, collaboration, integrity, curiosity and optimism to help ensure a safe and better future for all.

Grant awards of up to $1,500 will support individuals through:

• Telehealth services
• Mental health support
• Technology for education
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Other COVID-19 related expenses

Applicant, or their guardian, must articulate of the impact COVID-19 has had on their life/livelihood (a description of COVID-19 crisis/nature of need). Priority will be given to BIPOC youth living in our southwest Minnesota region. Applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis.

• Eligible expenses can be incurred between September 1 – December 30, 2020.
• Receipts must be submitted with your application. (If this is not possible, please provide the extenuating circumstance in the upload area. Follow up review will be necessary)
• Upon approval, recipients will be mailed a check for the award amount.
• One award per household will be available unless additional funds become available.

Download COVID-19 Relief Grant for Youth PDF