Southwest Initiative Foundation

Julia Wright applied to Growing Local: Emerging Leaders looking to expand her leadership skills and learn from others’ perspectives. The program did not disappoint. ?“The next morning after all of these sessions, I woke up so energized and feeling so positive,” Julia said. Elevate your local leadership by applying to be in this year's cohort! Applications are open through April 11. ??https://lnkd.in/gZG-z_Qc

What is a Social Enterprise? Initiators Fellows are working on a social enterprise while building their community leadership capacity. Social enterprises are ventures that use profit for good, regardless of their business structure. Are you an entrepreneur with a passion for tackling social or environmental challenges in southwest Minnesota? The Initiators Fellowship is here to support you! Designed for idea- and early-stage entrepreneurs, this fellowship helps foster the development of social enterprises. ??Mark your calendar: Fellowship applications open May 1 at https://lnkd.in/d-KfhMeB

During 2024, small business Woodgrain Custom Builds in Marshall experienced setbacks – a large shop fire and a serious hand injury for owner Kevin Veldhuisen – while still doubling demand from the previous year. With so much on his plate, Kevin reached out to us for both financing and support. “The help I’m getting from SWIF is extremely valuable to me and my growing business. I have grown quickly, and I need to find a manageable pace that is sustainable and profitable,” Kevin said. Our loan programs can help small businesses get up and running, but we’re also here to support entrepreneurs as their dreams grow and evolve. We’re happy to help Kevin finance the next phase of his business through our microloan program! Kevin is pictured with his wife, Anne, who assists on finish work, installations and bookkeeping for the business.

Amy and Than Than attended the Community Ramadan Iftar in Willmar earlier this month, hosted by Community Connectors Services. This special meal invited members of the community to break bread, foster understanding and strengthen community bonds. Every year, Muslims fast from dawn until dusk during the month of Ramadan. The fast is broken at the end of the day with prayer and a festive meal called an iftar. We were happy to sponsor this event as a way to build welcoming and belonging!

Our loan programs are at historic deployment levels, with the total number of current loans in SWIF’s portfolio accounting for 23 percent of total loan volume since 1986. In fiscal year 2024 alone, SWIF disbursed 59 new loans totaling $2.7 million to help launch and grow local businesses. A new program related investment (PRI) by the?Women's Foundation of Minnesota is helping us meet that growing demand through a below-market interest rate loan to SWIF.?This investment is disbursed as loans for women entrepreneurs in southwest Minnesota, which in turn help create economic mobility for everyone in the region. Like borrower Melissa Syring, who owns Falls Boutique in Granite Falls. “A small business helps the community because it keeps people coming to town, spending money getting lunch and gas,” Melissa said. “If one of us wins, we all win. In order to have a strong community, you have to have people who are going to work together." We're grateful to the Women's Foundation for this opportunity! Read more of Melissa's story: https://lnkd.in/gWW6utnY

Are you passionate about making a difference in your community, but need the tools and confidence to step into more formal leadership roles? Growing Local: Emerging Leaders is a leadership education program designed just for you. We’ll help you discover and build on your unique strengths so you can make a difference through local boards, commissions and elected positions! Applications are open now for the 2025 cohort. ?? https://lnkd.in/gwgCXy3U Questions about the program? Reach out to Khou Lor for more information.

Registration for the Southwest MN Workforce Summit on April 29 in Taunton is now open! This all-day event for employers, HR staff, schools, community leaders and economic development professionals will feature a great lineup of speakers and panelists providing attendees with tools and resources you can use to help attract and retain employees. Registration is $25 and includes a light breakfast, lunch, and snacks.?For more information and to register, click the button below.?Registration closes April 18th.

"Small towns can bloom in big ways." ?? Happy spring equinox! It's not quite warm enough yet, but when the weather is right the city of Dawson will be awash in blooms thanks in part to Dawson Community Foundation grants dedicated to city beautification efforts. The city and Dawson's chamber?share in the costs of purchasing flower baskets to bring color and beauty to the community. Last year, the Dawson Community Foundation granted $1,000 toward updating the flower baskets, as well as $5,000 for planting trees following street improvements. Planted by local small business Heather Nursery & Floral Montevideo, Dawson, Madison, the flower baskets are hung by Dawson’s road and bridge crew, who care for the plants all summer alongside part-time park staff. “Brightening our streets with flowers and trees strengthens community spirit, invites connection, and reminds us that small towns can bloom in big ways,” said Dawson Community Foundation Board Chair Josh Falness.

Happy National Agriculture Week! ?????? Yesterday, Meghan attended The State of Agriculture 2025 Report release event to learn about industry challenges and opportunities identified through a survey and focus groups conducted by GreenSeam and Minnesota State University, Mankato. Interested in reading the report? You can find it at https://lnkd.in/gTGXgZBN

What makes a great applicant for the Initiators Fellowship? ?? Social entrepreneurs with a social business idea ready to be tested, in early planning stages, or in operation for five years or less, can apply for the Initiators Fellowship. ?? Fellows are selected based on their innovative spirit, perseverance and ability to contribute to the success of others in their cohort. ??? To apply, you have to live and work in and your social enterprise must serve one of the four Minnesota Initiative Foundation regions covered by the Fellowship, or within a tribal nation adjacent to one of the four defined regions. The application for the 2026-2027 Initiators Fellowship cohort opens on May 1. Visit fellows (dot) greaterminnesota (dot) net to learn more!