2025 Annual Report
Strong, resilient communities don’t happen overnight, and they don’t rely on just a few people to fill the needs and gaps. These communities – our communities – need everyone. This year, you showed up. All the big and small things you did make a difference for your community. And so does your gift. Your donation directly impacts the future of our region by supporting the families, entrepreneurs, and leaders who call this region home. Thank you! Together we make good things happen in southwest Minnesota.
GRANTS
In fiscal year 2025, we awarded 880 grants totaling $5.6 million from all our funds benefitting communities across our region.
$329,288
Productive Aging
$1,886,867
Economic Development
$1,810,062
Community Vitality
$78,800
Belonging & Inclusion
$1,497,121
Kids & Families
$5,602,138
Total
Grant supports lifesaving training in Clara City
Our local community foundation partners are the experts on what’s needed in their towns that includes the “nice-to-have” amenities like hanging flowerpots, as well as supporting the lifesaving work of smalltown Emergency Medical Services — and everything in between. With each one benefitting the place they call home, there’s a unique variety in the projects our partners help fund.
Clara City Area Community Foundation made a grant to the local ambulance service for developing a CPR class guide and toolkit to expand community training efforts. In 2025, instructor Ben Schoep led his first class in Clara City—recertifying a local child care provider. That training means faster, more confident responses to emergencies involving the youngest community members.
Winsted sets SAIL for productive aging
After completing the grant-funded Age Friendly Communities program, Winsted launched the “Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL)” exercise program two and a half years ago, starting with one class on Mondays and Fridays. Within 5 months it was so popular, they needed to start a second class. This September, they launched a third.
For Nancy Fasching, who is both a Winsted resident and Vice President of Community Impact for SWIF, the impact of investing in this productive aging program is easy to see
“With its robust following, the Winsted group is an example of the amazing spirit of our region. It has proven results physically, and the social results are apparent!” Nancy said.
BUSINESS LOANS
In fiscal year 2025, we disbursed 55 loans totaling $2.1 million to help launch and grow businesses in our region.
$1,094,812
Service
$210,300
Healthcare
$87,600
Child Care
$525,923
Retail
$78,850
Agriculture
$56,908
Manufacturing
$46,800
Construction
$50,000
Real Estate
$2,151,192
Total
Loan supports Hutchinson dancer, entrepreneur
Tatyana Wittman has been dancing since she was 2. She turned her lifelong passion into a business this year, opening Synergy Dance Project in the Hutchinson Mall. This Gen Z founder has always been inspired by the idea of synergy, how people work better together.
A loan from Southwest Minnesota Community Capital (SMCC) helped pave the way. SMCC helps reach underserved entrepreneurs, small businesses, and community projects with affordable business lending, financial services and development support. This emerging Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is a subsidiary of Southwest Initiative Foundation.
GROWING LOCAL: EMERGING LEADERS
Alex Mazariegos of Fulda applied to Growing Local: Emerging Leaders to expand his network with like-minded individuals and grow his leadership skills to be more effective within the community.
“Being able to help others and seeing others succeed is what inspires me. Learning to be more effective while having a diverse community and learning about others and their cultures helps us work together and succeed together.”
Alex is part of the 2025 Growing Local: Emerging Leaders cohort. October marks the end of their six-month journey together engaging in hands-on learning, building meaningful connections, and gaining tools to serve on boards and committees, and in elected roles. In its first three years, the program has guided 39 emerging leaders.
CHILD CARE
Celebrating Kids Rock! Child Care Center
In fiscal year 2025, SWIF invested more than half a million dollars in southwest Minnesota’s child care providers and businesses, supporting start-up expenses, technical assistance, professional development and other critical operational needs. This includes grants from our partner funds.
One of this year’s projects to celebrate is the opening of Kids Rock! Child Care Center in Luverne, which is licensed for 186 children when fully staffed. From city and county leaders to the Kids Rock! nonprofit board, local partners, funders and community champions, this center is the result of a true public-private partnership.
DONOR HIGHLIGHTS
Furthering excellence in southwest Minnesota
“Over 20 years ago, I was asked to be a trustee for the Southwest Initiative Foundation. I was a young businesswoman at the time, and it allowed me to get to know this region and to learn what an impact an organization like SWIF can make in the lives of both the people and businesses of southwest Minnesota. My annual Growing Home Circle contribution is a commitment I make to furthering the excellent work SWIF does.”
– Becky Parker, Ortonville
Making a difference close to home
Rhonda Bonnstetter is a retired high school math teacher who makes her home in Slayton. As a donor, she appreciates Southwest Initiative Foundation’s local focus.
“I support SWIF because I like having the opportunity to impact the lives of those around me. We often think about supporting people ‘over there,’ which is also important, and I do this too, but I see so much need in communities close to home as well. SWIF funding provides educational and economic opportunities for those around us who are working hard to achieve that American Dream – to provide something better for our families than we had. I like the frequent updates on what SWIF is able to accomplish in our region of our state.”
– Rhonda Bonnstetter, Slayton
