Grants

Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), is currently accepting applications for its Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grant program. This special grant program will help fund early care and education wrap around services for children birth to age eight from underserved populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations that work with these children in SWIF’s southwest Minnesota region, which includes 18 counties and two Native nations, are eligible to apply. Requests of up to $10,000 will be considered. Applications are due to SWIF by December 7, 2020.

This grant provides emergency assistance for education agencies and services that have been impacted by the pandemic. Wrap around services, a system of care management which supports children in all aspects of life, are one of many education services that the GEER Fund supports. Funding from this grant can help cover mental health services and supports, supplemental after-school programs, distance learning programs and social, emotional and physical health supports.

Additional allowable uses include training and development to more effectively operate during the pandemic, or other activities that are necessary to maintain the operation of and continuity of services in early care and education. Applicants must serve children birth to age eight from historically underserved populations. Reporting information will be required and will include:

• Number of children (ages 0-8) impacted
• Number of parents and/or caregivers impacted
• List of populations served
• Lessons learned
• Funds leveraged
• List of partners and collaborators

Apply for the Early Care and Education Wrap Around Grant

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 Priority will be given to BIPOC youth living in SWIF’s southwest Minnesota region, which includes 18 counties and two Native nations. 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.

Apply for the COVID-19 Relief Grant for Youth