About Us

In the early 1980s, declines in cornerstone industries like farming and mining were stripping rural communities of people, jobs, and hope. Believing that the people of rural Minnesota were best positioned to make decisions for themselves, the McKnight Foundation joined forces with Greater Minnesota leaders to take action. McKnight envisioned a regional strategy that would encourage local giving and local responsibility for the long-term welfare of each region. The experiment worked.

Today, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations are strong, independent entities that are built to respond to regional needs and opportunities. Each foundation is independent and serves its region with unique grants, business loans, leadership programs and donor services.

To date, the foundations also receive support from governments, other foundations, businesses and individuals who wish to invest in the future of their communities. In the years since, McKnight has invested a total of $285 million, which has fueled dispersal of $430 million in grants and loans since inception in economic impact across Greater Minnesota.

“The Minnesota Initiative Foundation regions are so vast, and also so very different, that over the years, McKnight has continued to see a deep value in the partnership. The Minnesota Initiative Foundations can do things that we can’t easily do.”

– Kara Carlisle, McKnight Foundation vice president of programs

Find Your Foundation:

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We are six regional foundations working to strengthen the communities and economies of Greater Minnesota. Established by The McKnight Foundation in 1986, each foundation is independent and serves its geographic region with grants, business loans, programs and priorities, and donor services, as well as collaborates on several statewide initiatives. The Minnesota Initiative Foundations are nationally recognized as unique resources to the people, businesses and communities of rural Minnesota.

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Northwest Minnesota Foundation

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation believes Northwest Minnesota offers boundless opportunities. Our strength is connecting people, places, and possibilities. From grants, loans, and scholarships to business consulting and local giving, we guide and support donors and recipients alike to build better lives for everyone in our region. As a force and resource for Northwest Minnesota, we champion ideas that stabilize and strengthen our communities. Working side by side with neighbors and local leaders, we address today’s challenges and build tomorrow’s best future. Together, we work to empower our community and keep us headed in a positive direction.

Northland Foundation

The Northland Foundation invests in people and communities to support a thriving northeastern Minnesota. Its Grant Program directs resources to nonprofits and community organizations enhancing the well-being of children and youth and that promote opportunities for self-reliance for all people. The Business Finance Program supports economic prosperity and job creation through loans to businesses and nonprofits. Its operating program, KIDS PLUS, includes a broad array of initiatives that nurture children and youth and provide an avenue to build connections across generations

West Central Initiative

West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation that serves nine counties in west central Minnesota, including Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin, and the White Earth Nation.

We invest and help leverage resources in our communities for regional success; and success for us means thriving families, communities and businesses--it's all inter-related!

We work with many partners, using the tools of economic development, community development and promoting philanthropy to help people and communities create a better tomorrow for west central Minnesota.

Initiative Foundation

The Initiative Foundation is proud to serve the 14 counties of Central Minnesota that include 160 hometowns and two tribal nations, each with its own unique character and local assets. We believe that local people have the enthusiasm and insights to power what’s possible for their communities. Our community, organizational and economic development work is supported by a spectrum of public and individual donors who partner with the Foundation to build thriving communities. All of our grant-making, lending and leadership development activities are designed to create a skilled workforce; to make Central Minnesota a destination of choice to live, work and play; and to inspire people to share their time, talent and resources.

Southwest Initiative Foundation

Born from the farm crisis in 1986, Southwest Initiative Foundation was created to provide hope for a brighter future. Looking ahead, we’ll continue the work we do best - economic development, community impact, and giving - with a focus on helping our next generation access opportunities, experience economic mobility, and find success right here in our region. We're calling this work Grow Our Own and taking a cradle-to-career approach as we support all southwest Minnesota kids and the communities they call home.

www.swifoundation.org

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), a donor-supported foundation, invests for economic growth in 20 Minnesota counties. The Foundation has provided more than $100 million in grants, loans and programming within the region since 1986. SMIF’s key interests include early childhood, community and entrepreneur development. SMIF was established by The McKnight Foundation to foster growth and vitality in Greater Minnesota. To learn more about our work and mission call (507) 455-3215 or visit

www.smifoundation.org