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Southwest Initiative Foundation

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Home Growing Home Circle

Growing Home Circle

A transformational leader

Rob Saunders, board of directors

Serving on the board of directors at Southwest Initiative Foundation was “a life changer” for Rob Saunders. He recently completed a 10-year term,

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Growing Home Circle Stories

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Ten years ago, we created what we call the Growing Home Circle. This is a special way for donors to support all of the work that we do—from business

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Investing in Others

Buzz Burich and Heather Knorr

Since 1886, Citizens Bank has been a pillar in the Hutchinson community. Since the early 1960s when Irvin J. Burich assumed a majority interest

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Gasser Family: Teaching to Contribute

Gasser Family

Steve and Beth Gasser combine an active family life with owning a business, and still find plenty of time to get involved with their community. Beth

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Logan Family: Sharing Philanthropy

Dave and Marlyce Logan and grandchildren

At just under 3-years-old, Jack Thomas is Southwest Initiative Foundation’s youngest Growing Home Circle member. He is joined by his sister Molly and

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Bob and Helen Remick: Planting Seeds for a New Way to Give

Bob and Helen Remick

Robert Remick was a bus depot employee, a high school teacher, an artist and a farmer in Cottonwood County. He and wife Helen were generous people

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Cheers to Minnesota Grapes

wine bottles on shelf

Over the last few weeks, we've visited two hidden gems in our region. Both are connected to agriculture and both are drawing crowds into our region

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Growing Home Circle Thank You Reception – Belview

This is an exclusive reception for our Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Growing Home Circle donors. As a Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Growing Home Circle donor, you

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Travels to Worthington

The Historic Dayton House in Worthington

  This past week I was in Worthington to host a special thank you reception for our Growing Home Circle donors. We were at the Historic Dayton

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Growing Home Circle Thank You Reception – Spicer

This is an exclusive reception for our Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Growing Home Circle donors. As a Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Growing Home Circle donor, you

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15 3rd Avenue NW

Hutchinson, MN 55350

(320) 587-4848

[email protected]

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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