The Southwest Initiative Foundation, formerly known as Southwest Minnesota Foundation, Thursday celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Congratulations!
The foundation announced its new name Thursday as part of its 20th anniversary celebration at Morton, blending its original name, the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Fund and its recent name, the Southwest Minnesota Foundation.
The foundation was formed in the 1980s from a McKnight Foundation effort to provide resources to greater Minnesota, where agriculture and mining economies were suffering significantly.
Today, the foundation serves as a permanent resource for people, business and communities of southwest Minnesota.
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The foundation focuses on the counties of Big Stone, Swift, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Lac qui Parle, Yellow Medicine, Renville, McLeod, Redwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Pipestone, Murray, Cottonwood, Rock, Nobles and Jackson.
Over the past decade, the foundation has made a significant impact in southwest Minnesota. Since its inception in 1986, the foundation has:
* Made 1,553 grants totaling more than $15.8 million;
* Disbursed 472 business loans totaling more than $24 million;
* Created and retained more than 6,400 jobs;
* Developed a permanent endowment fund with assets of more than $23 million ;
* Established the Paul & Alma Schwan Aging Trust fund with assets of more than $4 million.
The foundation's work continues this year.
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* Completing its new office building at the corner of state Highways 7 and 15 in Hutchinson;
* Continuing the marketing strategy branding the 18-region as the Renewable Energy Marketplace;
* Continued development of its general endowment;
* Continued development of community partnerships.
The Southwest Initiative Foundation continues to focus its leadership and resources in five areas: promoting economic advancement, productive aging, inclusive communities, philanthropy and connecting youth and communities.
Southwest Minnesota and its citizens are better off today because of the work of this foundation.
Best wishes for more positive growth during the next 20 years of the Southwest Initiative Foundation.
