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Hello SMIF,
At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) it seems like just as we begin to wind down some of our projects, new opportunities pop up. Some of what has kept us busy recently:
- Preparing to distribute thousands of books through our Early Literacy Grant program this summer.
- Attending many of our Community Foundations' annual events throughout the region.
- Engaging with entrepreneurs at the FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow in Cannon Falls and at the Ignite Cup in Red Wing.
- Hosting our annual Sprout event to connect directly with people in our region.
- Receiving hundreds of applications for the PROMISE Act Grants and Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Grants.
As the weather gets nicer, I hope you will take some time this spring and summer to get out into our region and enjoy everything it has to offer - from beautiful parks to amazing restaurants and breweries. Thank you for all you do to contribute to the growth and vibrancy of our region.
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Tim Penny
President and CEO
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Positive Parenting supports routines at school and at home | |
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In 2023, Kenyon Wanamingo Early Childhood was awarded a $3,755 Early Care and Education Grant to provide classes for parents about proactive solutions for challenging behaviors. The class was to use used the Love and Logic approach to parenting which is built around the science of caring and respectful relationships. The caregivers who attended the class were able to implement new routines at home, which helped their children follow routines at school.
“One student started following the routines more at school and their mom has implemented more routines at home. For a young boy with autism, this parenting class helped a family be more successful at home. I call that a success.” - Terra Haugen, Early Childhood Coordinator
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Small Town Grant sparks new event in Dundas | |
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SMIF’s Small Town Grant program has supported a wide variety of projects that meet the needs of the smallest communities in our region. From tourism marketing and welcoming initiatives to strategic planning and community events, the Small Town Grant has funded nearly $1 million in unique initiatives since it began in 2017. Last fall, the grant helped support the Dundas Oktoberfest which is now on its way to becoming an annual event.
“Attendance and enthusiasm for the event exceeded our expectations. New connections and relationships were formed in the process of planning and at the event itself. One family that we know of moved to the area from the Twin Cities after attending Dundas Oktoberfest. Dundas residents, local businesses, nonprofits and city officials are excited to have an awesome event to call their own, and there was an overwhelming consensus that this should become an annual event. We are already planning for the second Annual Dundas Oktoberfest – September 21, 2024.” - Tracie Vranich, committee chair
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Loan client spotlight: ONE Athletics | |
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ONE Athletics is a youth fitness and gymnastics facility in Rochester. In 2023, they received a Small Enterprise Loan from SMIF which allowed them to purchase critical equipment for the business. Rebekkah Frunzac, co-owner of ONE Athletics, shared their story:
"It is our goal to help children overcome some of their biggest life challenges, including low-self esteem, sedentary lifestyle, anxiety, poor sleep habits and social isolation by offering fitness classes that are fun, engaging and designed just for children.
“This loan allowed us to purchase critical equipment for our business. We had an amazing experience previously and needed funding that was accessible and affordable. The loan process was straightforward, and we have utilized other small business resources offered through SMIF. All of this support has helped us get our business off the ground in a smooth and professional way and is helping us grow sustainably.”
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SMIF celebrates community partnerships at Sprout event in Caledonia | |
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This year's Sprout event, held at Mainspring in Caledonia, was a lively and fun evening. The energy in the room was full of good cheer, and the attendance topped out at over 100 people!
Highlights of the event included a short program that featured local speakers from all three of SMIF's focus areas. We enjoyed introducing many new people to the resources that SMIF provides. It was great to see a crowded room of people from around the region coming together to network, with the common goal to keeping southern Minnesota vibrant and growing.
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We want to thank Erin Meier (current Vice Chair) and Xavier Frigola, our outgoing board members, for their service to our region. They have each served six years on SMIF’s Board of Trustees.
Erin is the Director of Green Lands Blue Waters at the University of Minnesota, Rochester. Xavier is an Investment Officer of Treasury Services at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We are grateful for their perspectives, leadership and positive energy over the past six years!
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SMIF awards 256 gallons of paint to small towns | |
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The Paint the Town Grant is awarded to projects in communities of 10,000 or less that will have a visual impact, provide a public benefit to the community and involve volunteer participation.
This year, paint will support projects that include: a community mural in a new student union space in Spring Grove, a project to restore Nerstrand's two historic church steeples, a project to restore the historic charm of the 1930s farmyard at Farmamerica in Waseca, and more.
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Save the Date: Conscious Discipline
July 31 | Owatonna
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Join us for a full day of special sessions on "Conscious Discipline®." This training is a "leader in brain-based social emotional learning" created by Dr. Becky Bailey.
School and community based preschool teachers and assistants, ECFE, social workers, public health staff, home visitors, family and center based child care staff and directors, parents, and anyone working with families who have young children is welcome to attend.
This training is Develop-approved. Trainer, Anne Hoff, has been implementing Conscious Discipline in her personal and professional life since 2008.
Details will be available on our website at smifoundation.org/ectrainings.
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Save the Date: The Entrepreneurial Bridge
September 24 | Albert Lea
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SMIF, in partnership with Albert Lea Economic Development Agency (ALEDA), is excited to host one of our region's largest gatherings of rural innovators and entrepreneurs. The 10th annual Entrepreneurial Bridge event is an integral part of building a vibrant ecosystem for our region's entrepreneurs.
Save the date to reconnect with fellow entrepreneurs and to celebrate the passion that drives innovation from across southern Minnesota!
Details will be available at smifoundation.org/bridge.
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Recent Loans l See Our Loan Funds | |
Axley Brothers LLC, Elgin | RV Repair service
Bill’s Gym LLC, Albert Lea | Private training facility
Eds Chop Shop, New Ulm | Hairstyling/grooming services
Elmore Family Chiropractic, Kasson | Chiropractic services
Harty Manufacturing Inc, Waseca | Metal fabrication
Pippi Lane Boutique LLC, Mankato | Clothing, home & gift boutique
The Rolling Cones, Blue Earth | Mobile ice cream trailer, seasonal restaurant, self-service car wash
Waseca Morgan’s Meat Market, Waseca | Full service meat market
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Donating farmland leaves a lasting legacy | |
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SMIF's Acres for Good program allows farm families to donate their land as a charitable gift upon retirement or passing. SMIF will retain the land and keep it in production by a rental arrangement, allowing farmers the peace of mind that their land will continue to be farmed.
The net income stream from the land can be used to support southern Minnesota communities well into the future, benefiting either a local Community Foundation, a specific cause or SMIF’s programs which support children, entrepreneurs and community vitality in the region.
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