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Grow Our Own

The American Dream is moving out of reach for children across the country, including here in rural Minnesota. A division of economic classes is widening and children born into families with fewer resources and support systems are unable to access the opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Southwest Initiative Foundation is taking a holistic approach to support all southwest Minnesota kids—from cradle to career.

We’re focusing on five areas that impact a child’s life, including: Family & Parenting, Early Childhood, K-12 Years, Communities and Successful Careers.

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Home Map Points Willmar ECI

Willmar ECI

June 12, 2014

Established: January 2004

Vision Statement:

The Willmar Early Childhood Initiative commits to increase school readiness of Willmar children from 50% fully prepared to 65% fully prepared for Kindergarten by Jan. 2009.

Coalition Projects:

  • Family Read Aloud at the Fire Station
  • Read Along Program on Public Access Television
  • Monthly WOW Community Events
  • Summer Books and Baseball Event with the Willmar Stingers
  • Play Spot at Willmar Public Library
Willmar ECI Publishes One-of-a-Kind Book

Serving half the population of the United States, more than four out of five fire departments use on-call and volunteer firefighters, rather than full-time career employees depicted in most children’s books. Given this reality, the Willmar Early Childhood Initiative, in partnership with SWIF, decided to publish a new firefighter-themed book for their fourth annual Read Aloud at the Fire Station event held in October and attended by more than 500 children, families and community members. This book tells about a community’s on-call firefighters, provides fire safety information for children and families and is written in both English and Spanish on each page. Photos were taken by Kelly Welch, Willmar, and feature local firefighters and their families.

 Local Coordinator:

  • Jodi Wambeke
    320-231-8492 ext. 7250
    Email Jodi

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Visit our Willmar ECI website for more information.


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Southwest Initiative Foundation 15 3rd Ave NW Hutchinson, MN 55350 (320) 587-4848 info@swifoundation.org

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Jackson County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Jackson County. We’ve awarded 416 grants totaling $1.9 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 35 loans totaling $2.3 million to finance local businesses. Mark Titus of Jackson serves on our board of directors. Chanthavy Singvongsa serves on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet.

  • Heron Lake-Okabena Community Foundation
  • Jackson Community Foundation

McLeod County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of McLeod County. We’ve awarded 371 grants totaling $1.9 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 124 loans totaling $4.6 million to finance local businesses. Christie Hantge of Hutchinson serves on our board of directors. Don Martinez and Karlie Mosher, both of Hutchinson, serve on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet. Office headquarters are in Hutchinson.

  • Glencoe Area Community Foundation
  • Hutchinson Area Community Foundation
  • McLeod County Thrive Initiative

Lac qui Parle County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Lac qui Parle County. We’ve awarded 579 grants totaling $4 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 26 loans totaling $1.8 million to finance local businesses.

  • Dawson Community Foundation
  • Lac qui Parle Valley Early Childhood Initiative
  • Madison Community Foundation

Meeker County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Meeker County. We’ve awarded 301 grants totaling $1.9 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 57 loans totaling $2.2 million to finance local businesses. Randy Reinke of Litchfield serves on our board of directors.

  • Litchfield Area Community Foundation
  • Litchfield Early Childhood Initiative
  • Darwin Community Legacy Foundation

Swift County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Swift County. We’ve awarded 510 grants totaling $3.5 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 40 loans totaling $2.7 million to finance local businesses. Jan Lundebrek of Benson serves on our board of directors.

  • Appleton Community Foundation
  • Benson Area Community Foundation
  • Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Early Childhood Initiative

Big Stone County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Big Stone County. We’ve awarded 206 grants totaling $2 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 14 loans totaling $549,800 to finance local businesses.

  • Ortonville Early Childhood Initiative

Kandiyohi County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Kandiyohi County. We’ve awarded 418 grants totaling $3.7 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 117 loans totaling $5.4 million to finance local businesses. Our current board chair is Bob Thurston of Spicer. Patti Loehr-Dols of Willmar also serves on our board. Fardowsa Ibrahim of Willmar, Jonathan Morales of Spicer, Ayan Muktar of Willmar, Chasity Ommodt of Spicer and Robert Valdez of Willmar serve on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet. Jeff Vetsch of New London is on staff.

  • Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg Early Childhood Initiative
  • Willmar Early Childhood Initiative

Chippewa County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Chippewa County. We’ve awarded 523 grants totaling $3.6 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 34 loans totaling $1.3 million to finance local businesses. Janice Nelson of Montevideo serves as vice chair on our board of directors. Scott Marquardt of Montevideo is on staff.

  • Clara City Community Foundation
  • Montevideo Area Community Foundation
  • Montevideo Early Childhood Initiative
  • Milan Community Foundation

Renville County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Renville County. We’ve awarded 344 grants totaling $2.8 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 69 loans totaling $2.5 million to finance local businesses. Board chair Bob Thurston owns Thurston Genetics in Olivia. Rob Saunders of Bird Island serves as our past board chair. Susie Lang and Rob Thurston, both of Olivia, serve on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet.

  • BIO Legacy Foundation (Bird Island-Olivia Community Foundation)
  • Bird Island-Olivia-Lake Lillian Early Childhood Initiative
  • Morton Area Community Foundation
  • Renville Community Foundation

Redwood County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Redwood County. We’ve awarded 332 grants totaling $2.5 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 84 loans totaling $3.5 million to finance local businesses. Sarah Warner of Walnut Grove serves on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet.

  • Redwood Area Early Childhood Initiative
  • Wabasso Early Childhood Initiative
  • Walnut Grove Area Foundation

Yellow Medicine County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Yellow Medicine County. We’ve awarded 434 grants totaling $3.6 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 49 loans totaling $1.9 million to finance local businesses. Theresa Peterson of the Upper Sioux Community serves on our board of directors.

  • Clarkfield Area Community Foundation
  • Granite Falls Area Community Foundation

Lyon County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Lyon County. We’ve awarded 492 grants totaling $3.7 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 61 loans totaling $2.6 million to finance local businesses. Jodi Maertens of Ghent is on staff.

  • Balaton Area Community Foundation
  • Cottonwood Area Community Foundation
  • Marshall Community Foundation
  • Marshall Early Childhood Initiative

Lincoln County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Lincoln County. We’ve awarded 301 grants totaling $2.1 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 39 loans totaling $1.1 million to finance local businesses.

  • Lake Benton Area Foundation
  • Tyler Area Community Foundation

Cottonwood County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Cottonwood County. We’ve awarded 396 grants totaling $2.1 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 44 loans totaling $2 million to finance local businesses.

  • Mountain Lake Area Foundation
  • Mountain Lake Early Childhood Initiative
  • Windom Early Childhood Initiative

Murray County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Murray County. We’ve awarded 230 grants totaling $1.6 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 15 loans totaling $822,350 to finance local businesses.

  • Murray County Early Childhood Initiative

Pipestone County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Pipestone County. We’ve awarded 260 grants totaling $2.2 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 24 loans totaling $1.2 million to finance local businesses.

  • Pipestone Area Community Foundation

Rock County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Rock County. We’ve awarded 181 grants totaling $1.8 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 29 loans totaling $2.2 million to finance local businesses. Tim Connell of Luverne serves on our board of directors.

  • Rock County Early Childhood Initiative

Nobles County

Since 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation has invested in the people and places of Nobles County. We’ve awarded 480 grants totaling $2.2 million to support local nonprofits, schools and community projects. We’ve also made 75 loans totaling $4.1 million to finance local businesses. Jordan Huisken and Jessica Velasco, both of Worthington, serve on our Emerging Leaders Cabinet. Amy Woitalewicz of Worthington is on staff.

  • Lismore Area Community Foundation
  • Worthington Area Foundation
  • Worthington Early Childhood Initiative