Thriving At Every Age: The Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund
Southwest Minnesota leads the state in percentage of population age 85 or better. The Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund maximizes the social and economic contributions of elders throughout southwest Minnesota by keeping them well and engaged in community life.
History of the fund
In 1990, Marvin Schwan of Schwan’s Company endowed the Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund as a lasting tribute to his parents. Paul and Alma Schwan had visions of a healthy future for southwest Minnesota, and the fund that bears their name is dedicated to preserving that vision of prosperity for the region. Southwest Initiative Foundation hosts the Aging Trust Fund, managing its endowment and directing its use.
Additional donations from caring community members and investment returns have resulted in more than three decades of positive impact for our aging rural population. This permanent asset of the foundation is a vital resource as we create vibrant communities that actively involve, value and support older adults.
Aging Trust Fund impact
Past programs supported by the fund include Productive Aging, Intergenerational Program, Age Friendly Communities open grants, Senior College, Parish Nursing, Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota, and Encore Entrepreneurship.
More recently, the Aging Trust Fund has provided funding to the Age Friendly Communities program. It helps communities identify existing assets that are age friendly, as well as areas where they can improve. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to implement projects that will make a positive impact for everyone. Led by Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging in partnership with SWIF, the effort focuses on towns with populations of less than 5,000.
Fostering Social Connection in Later Life grant rounds help reduce social isolation and loneliness among Southwest Minnesotans age 65 and older. Projects connect older adults through opportunities for meaningful socializing and engagement, volunteer programs, online or in‑person program coordination, caregiver support, and other efforts that build community.
For More Information
Nancy Fasching, Vice President of Community Impact
Email Nancy or call (320) 484-9104.
Time to socialize and exercise at Winsted SAIL classes
Winsted’s population, like the rest of our region, has a lot of older adults. Southwest Minnesota leads the state in percentage of population age 85 or better, according to data from Minnesota Compass. In Winsted, people age 55+ make up 38.8 percent of the community.
Local residents participated in the Age Friendly Communities program, a grant-funded effort focused on productive aging and community engagement. From that, Winsted created a part-time Community Coordinator position and a committee was formed. At one of the committee meetings, Ecumen RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) Project Manager Sarah Tarleton spoke about the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL).
Within 3 months, the Winsted SAIL class was on its way.
“We had 21 on the first day and now we have over 100 participants,” Carolyn said. “We always have 25 to 35 people per class.”
