We’re sharing well wishes with Liz Cheney as she leaves her role as Vice President of Giving at Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF). Liz has accepted a new position as the first-ever foundation director for Glencoe Regional Health, an organization she has known and loved for more than a decade.
Since joining SWIF in 2004, Liz has held a variety of roles at the foundation, most recently leading our Giving Team. Her thoughtful approach to giving has helped ordinary people make an extraordinary difference through their generosity, keeping southwest Minnesota communities thriving.
Liz shared this reflection:
If I were to choose one word to describe my time here, it would be ‘growth’ – personal, professional and organizational growth. This organization, its leaders, colleagues past and present, and its friends made investments in me, catalyzing my growth both personally and professionally. Investments of time, coaching, guidance, mentoring and yes, financial investments to grow my expertise in gift planning and fundraising.
And organizationally, the work of giving has grown exponentially with the number of community foundations, donor-advised funds, and other fund partnerships, farmland gifts that will support community into the future, and more, with an impressive impact on the bottom line. But I always say, it’s not about the money. It IS about what the money can do.
Together, we have done really incredible things for our communities in southwest Minnesota. And I hope that the best is yet to come.
Liz Cheney
In honor of her nearly 20 years of service dedicated to our mission, the foundation will make two grants at Liz’s direction. This first is $1,000 to McLeod Emergency Food Shelf to support hunger relief efforts in McLeod County. This grant is in honor of her parents who work tirelessly as volunteers for the organization. The second is $1,000 to Heart of Minnesota Animal Shelter, which cares for unwanted, stray and abused animals in McLeod County. This grant is for the “Raise the Woof” Campaign supporting the new dog building, and it’s made in memory of her beloved Alaskan Husky, Carly.
While we are sad to see Liz go, we are grateful for all she’s invested in our work as well as the ways she will continue to nurture generosity and impact in our region through her new role. Liz’s last day at our office will be Nov. 9, 2023.
