Connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities — to create a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive.
Southwest Initiative Foundation’s recent grantmaking shows a strong emphasis on community identity and belonging: in 2024 it awarded $480,000 each to five regional community foundations for belonging, anti-hate, and anti-racism work, while also backing local projects such as the City of Granite Falls’ field, playground, and park improvements. The foundation funds both large community initiatives and smaller local grants, with recurring support for schools, municipalities, nonprofits, and community-action organizations across southwest Minnesota. Its portfolio includes recreation infrastructure, aging services, early childhood and child care, food access, scholarships, public safety, and arts and culture. The foundation also supports age-friendly and family-centered projects in ways that combine direct service with capital investment. Examples include funding for a senior center and food shelf building in Pipestone, an age-friendly community building project in Mankato, and school-based scholarship and enrichment support in Canby and Tyler. Grants to cities and local partners suggest a practical approach: support projects that improve shared spaces, strengthen local institutions, and help communities respond to specific needs. Most of its giving lands in Minnesota, and the grant record reflects sustained work in small cities and regional hubs rather than national-scale philanthropy.
Belonging and inclusion is a clear theme. In 2024, Southwest Initiative Foundation gave $480,000 to West Central Initiative for “Belonging, Anti-Hate, and Anti-Racism,” and matched that amount to four other regional initiative foundations for the same purpose. That pattern shows support for coordinated regional work, not just isolated projects. The foundation also funds aging services and age-friendly community efforts. It awarded $105,450 to Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging for the “Age Friendly Community Building Project,” and earlier support to the same organization for “Phase 5” of that effort. Food access appears alongside community services. In Pipestone, it gave $428,602 to Pipestone Senior Citizens Center for the Schroeder Senior Center and Food Shelf Building, and Prairie Five Community Action Council received support tied to an aging well program and a VITA free tax clinic. Education and youth development show up in scholarships and school-based projects, including support for Yellow Medicine East scholarships through Wallin Education Partners.
$4.9M
$123.4M
$14.7M
$11.4M
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
SCOTT MARQUARDT
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Typical grant size is tightly clustered: p25 is $10,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. The recent record also includes several larger, project-specific awards above $100,000, which appear tied to capital campaigns, regional initiatives, and multi-part community projects. Southwest Initiative Foundation accepts grant ideas on an ongoing basis through its general grantmaking and request-form pathways, and some programs use defined rounds. The grant history shows repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including local public agencies, community-action organizations, and regional intermediaries. That suggests an ongoing relationship model rather than one-off giving only. The foundation is not a foundation that funds individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. Many grants can support nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, or projects using a fiscal sponsor.
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in Minnesota, with 99% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. The grant map is especially concentrated in southwest Minnesota communities such as Granite Falls, Pipestone, Tyler, Montevideo, Marshall, Litchfield, Cottonwood, Balaton, Windom, and Canby. Larger awards also reach regional hubs like Saint Paul and Mankato for scholarship and age-friendly work, but the core pattern is local and regional. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Its general grantmaking supports community vitality, kids and families, economic development, belonging and inclusion, productive aging, nonprofit capacity building, and related local priorities. Recent grants also show support for recreation infrastructure, food access, school projects, public safety equipment, and arts and culture.
Typical awards cluster at $10,000: the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile are $10,000, $10,000, and $15,000. The recent record also includes larger project grants, including awards above $100,000 for capital and regional initiatives.
Southwest Initiative Foundation accepts grant ideas on an ongoing basis through its general grantmaking and request-form pathways. Some programs also use defined grant rounds, and the general Community Impact Grants program is listed as accepting unsolicited ideas.
No. Recent program descriptions say grants can go to nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and projects using one of these entities as a fiscal partner or sponsor. The grant record includes cities, schools, and community organizations.
The foundation’s giving is local, with 99% of grants going to recipients in Minnesota. Recent recipients are concentrated in southwest Minnesota communities such as Granite Falls, Pipestone, Tyler, Montevideo, Marshall, and Litchfield.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Southwest Initiative Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Available to nonprofit professionals serving southwest Minnesota, subject to funding availability.
Deadline: Ongoing, depending on funding availability.
Who can apply: Nonprofits, schools, government agencies, or projects using one of these entities as a fiscal partner. SWIF does not fund individuals or for-profit business start-ups (businesses may be referred to loan programs). Foundation will generally consider funding up to 50% of a project; remaining funds must come from other sources.
Who can apply: Open to nonprofits, schools, government agencies and projects using one of those entities as a fiscal partner. Not available to individuals or for starting a business. Applicants should review the foundation's grant guidelines for full criteria.
Deadline: Varies by grant round; when no rounds are open, the grant request form can be submitted at any time. (Open Grant Opportunities: none open at time of scrape.)
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISD #466 - DASSEL-COKATO | COKATO, MN | $342,996 | 2026 | DC CHARGER ROBOTICS, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT. |
| CITY OF MARSHALL | MARSHALL, MN | $323,400 | 2026 | MARSHALL AQUATIC CENTER PROJECT, WELCOMING WEEK EVENT. |
| CITY OF TRACY | TRACY, MN | $211,500 | 2026 | TRACY CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS, TRACY COMMUNITY CENTER. |
| LITTLE HUSKIES LEARNING CENTER | JACKSON, MN | $189,733 | 2026 | LHLC - SECURITY SYSTEM, LHLC- REMICK LOAN SUPPORT, LHC- FACILITY RENOVATIONS. |
| WALLIN EDUCATION PARTNERS | SAINT PAUL, MN | $133,512 | 2026 | 2024-25 YELLOW MEDICINE EAST SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CLARK-VINROOT PROPERTIES LLC | WORTHINGTON, MN | $126,000 | 2026 | THE THOMPSON - MSERP |
| PIPESTONE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER | PIPESTONE, MN | $116,904 | 2026 | SCHROEDER SENIOR CENTER AND FOOD SHELF BUILDING PROJECT, SLEEP TIGHT PIPESTONE |
| MINNESOTA RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING INC | MANKATO, MN | $100,500 | 2026 | AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECT - PHASE 7, SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN AGING. |
| ISD #2884 - RED ROCK CENTRAL | LAMBERTON, MN | $79,300 | 2026 | PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, RRC WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM, DECODABLE BOOK LIBRARY. |
| FM BANK | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $75,000 | 2026 | FM BANK - MSERP |
| PLAZITA RESTAURANT 4 LLC | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $75,000 | 2026 | LA PLAZITA - MSERP |
| ACE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA | SLAYTON, MN | $74,500 | 2026 | IVANHOE LOCAL FRESH PRODUCE, IVANHOE AFA DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE, CAREGIVER BASKETS, 2025 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| KIDS ROCK CHILD CARE CENTER INC | LUVERNE, MN | $65,291 | 2026 | KIDS ROCK! STARTUP GRANT 2 |
| TYLER GOLF CLUB OF TYLER MINNESOTA | TYLER, MN | $55,000 | 2026 | YOUTH GOLF, PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM. |
| PETERSONS INC | WILLMAR, MN | $54,750 | 2026 | PETERSON BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME - MSERP |
| C AND B LLC | WILLMAR, MN | $54,750 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| DOLS CAPITAL LLC | WILLMAR, MN | $53,761 | 2026 | DOLS COMPANIES - MSERP |
| PURPLE ROLL-OFF LLC | GLENCOE, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| TDMC OF MARSHALL INC | MARSHALL, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | TDMC OF MARSHALL - MSERP |
| THREE LEGGED DOG INC | MARSHALL, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| RHEAULT AG SUPPLY LLC | BEAVER CREEK, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| MUBARAK FOOD & GROCERY INC | WILLMAR, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| THE LUVERNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | LUVERNE, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| ROYAL WASH HOUSE LLC | MONTROSE, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| FERNELIUS ENTERPRISES LLC | REDWOOD FALLS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| JAC INC | BELVIEW, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM, |
| HANSON ENTERPRISES LLC | LAKEFIELD, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| MINNESOTA SEEDS OF JUSTICE | WORTHINGTON, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FLOOD RELIEF |
| BULLET PROOF MECHANICAL SERVICE INC | WILLMAR, MN | $47,771 | 2026 | BULLET PROOF MECHANICAL - MSERP |
| CITY OF DARWIN | DARWIN, MN | $46,097 | 2026 | 2024 DARWIN PROJECTS, DARWIN JOINT PROJECTS. |
| ISD #2902 - RUSSELL TYLER RUTHTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | TYLER, MN | $45,626 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES SUPPORT, RTR FOOTBALL PROGRAM, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE DEP, BAND, AFTER PROM, AUXILIARY GYM CAMERAS, GOLF PROGRAM SUPPORT, KNIGHTS SIGN, AFTER PROM, HISTORY TRIP, SPEECH STATE, FCCLA NATIONALS, BAND INSTRUMENTS, STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT. |
| MINNESOTA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP | SAINT PAUL, MN | $45,000 | 2026 | MHP - SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA HOUSING INSTITUTE |
| PRAIRIE FIVE COMMUNITY ACTION COUNCIL INCORPORATED | MONTEVIDEO, MN | $40,532 | 2026 | BENSON AREA MEMORY LOSS NETWORK, BRING IT HOME PROGRAM, MMN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND SEATING, VITA FREE TAX CLINIC, DEED ECONOMIC DEVERLOPMENT CHILD CARE, BIG STONE LAKE/ ORTONVILLE FOOD SHELF, CANBY FOOD SHELF, GRACEVILLE SATELLITE FOOD SHELF, SWIFT COUNTY/ BENSON FOOD SHELF, CHIPPEWA COUNTY FOOD SHELF, CLARA CITY SATELLITE FOOD SHELF, MILAN MOBILE FOOD SHELF, R.E.A.D. PROGRAM. |
| ISD #2895 - JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL | JACKSON, MN | $39,253 | 2026 | DONOR BOARD, FALL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS GRANTS, JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2025, AEDS FOR THE JCC SCHOOL DISTRICT, VISION SCREENING, SPRING TEACHERS GRANTS. |
| AP RENTALS OF MN LLC | BELGRADE, MN | $37,189 | 2026 | AP RENTALS 2 - MSERP |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA | MANKATO, MN | $33,800 | 2026 | SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA COMMUNITY NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY |
| UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MONTEVIDEO | MONTEVIDEO, MN | $33,000 | 2026 | MISSION SUPPORT |
| BLUE AND GOLD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OF DISTRICT 891 | CANBY, MN | $32,570 | 2026 | FY2025 DISBURSEMENT, FY25 DISBURSEMENT-MILLER MEMORIAL. |
| GRANITE FALLS FOODS INC | GRANITE FALLS, MN | $30,253 | 2026 | ALMICH'S - MSERP |
| EL MEXICANO #3 INC | WORTHINGTON, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | EL MEXICANO #3 - MSERP |
| HUTCHINSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | HUTCHINSON, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | EMERGENCY CENTER EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT |
| CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES LLC | WORTHINGTON, MN | $30,000 | 2026 | CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES - MSERP |
| SOUTHWEST HOSPITALITY LLC | HARRISBURG, SD | $27,000 | 2026 | MSERP - TRAVELER'S LODGE |
| SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL INC | MARSHALL, MN | $26,000 | 2026 | WORK AND LEARN COORDINATOR, NAVIGATING THE CURRENTS CONFERENCE RECOGNITION. |
| ROCK RANCH | HILLS, MN | $25,519 | 2026 | FY2025 DISBURSEMENT, PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM. |
| BMR SALVAGE LLC | APPLETON, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| MARK R PARKER | REDWOOD FALLS, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| BLACK DIAMOND INDUSTRIES LLC | MURDOCK, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| HILLTOP RESIDENCE INCORPORATED | MADISON, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
| DIBBLE ELECTRIC LLC | MARSHALL, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM |
ISD #466 - DASSEL-COKATO
$342,996DC CHARGER ROBOTICS, INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT.
CITY OF MARSHALL
$323,400MARSHALL AQUATIC CENTER PROJECT, WELCOMING WEEK EVENT.
CITY OF TRACY
$211,500TRACY CENTRAL PARK IMPROVEMENTS, TRACY COMMUNITY CENTER.
LITTLE HUSKIES LEARNING CENTER
$189,733LHLC - SECURITY SYSTEM, LHLC- REMICK LOAN SUPPORT, LHC- FACILITY RENOVATIONS.
CLARK-VINROOT PROPERTIES LLC
$126,000THE THOMPSON - MSERP
PIPESTONE SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER
$116,904SCHROEDER SENIOR CENTER AND FOOD SHELF BUILDING PROJECT, SLEEP TIGHT PIPESTONE
MINNESOTA RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING INC
$100,500AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY BUILDING PROJECT - PHASE 7, SUPPORT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN AGING.
ISD #2884 - RED ROCK CENTRAL
$79,300PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, RRC WEEKEND FOOD PROGRAM, DECODABLE BOOK LIBRARY.
FM BANK
$75,000FM BANK - MSERP
PLAZITA RESTAURANT 4 LLC
$75,000LA PLAZITA - MSERP
ACE OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA
$74,500IVANHOE LOCAL FRESH PRODUCE, IVANHOE AFA DEMENTIA EXPERIENCE, CAREGIVER BASKETS, 2025 GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
KIDS ROCK CHILD CARE CENTER INC
$65,291KIDS ROCK! STARTUP GRANT 2
TYLER GOLF CLUB OF TYLER MINNESOTA
$55,000YOUTH GOLF, PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM.
PETERSONS INC
$54,750PETERSON BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME - MSERP
C AND B LLC
$54,750PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
DOLS CAPITAL LLC
$53,761DOLS COMPANIES - MSERP
PURPLE ROLL-OFF LLC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
TDMC OF MARSHALL INC
$50,000TDMC OF MARSHALL - MSERP
THREE LEGGED DOG INC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
RHEAULT AG SUPPLY LLC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
MUBARAK FOOD & GROCERY INC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
THE LUVERNE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
ROYAL WASH HOUSE LLC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
FERNELIUS ENTERPRISES LLC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
JAC INC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM,
HANSON ENTERPRISES LLC
$50,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
MINNESOTA SEEDS OF JUSTICE
$50,000SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA FLOOD RELIEF
BULLET PROOF MECHANICAL SERVICE INC
$47,771BULLET PROOF MECHANICAL - MSERP
CITY OF DARWIN
$46,0972024 DARWIN PROJECTS, DARWIN JOINT PROJECTS.
ISD #2902 - RUSSELL TYLER RUTHTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$45,626ACTIVITIES SUPPORT, RTR FOOTBALL PROGRAM, FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE DEP, BAND, AFTER PROM, AUXILIARY GYM CAMERAS, GOLF PROGRAM SUPPORT, KNIGHTS SIGN, AFTER PROM, HISTORY TRIP, SPEECH STATE, FCCLA NATIONALS, BAND INSTRUMENTS, STATE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT.
BENSON AREA MEMORY LOSS NETWORK, BRING IT HOME PROGRAM, MMN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PLAYGROUND SEATING, VITA FREE TAX CLINIC, DEED ECONOMIC DEVERLOPMENT CHILD CARE, BIG STONE LAKE/ ORTONVILLE FOOD SHELF, CANBY FOOD SHELF, GRACEVILLE SATELLITE FOOD SHELF, SWIFT COUNTY/ BENSON FOOD SHELF, CHIPPEWA COUNTY FOOD SHELF, CLARA CITY SATELLITE FOOD SHELF, MILAN MOBILE FOOD SHELF, R.E.A.D. PROGRAM.
ISD #2895 - JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL
$39,253DONOR BOARD, FALL ELEMENTARY TEACHERS GRANTS, JACKSON COUNTY CENTRAL SCHOLARSHIPS 2025, AEDS FOR THE JCC SCHOOL DISTRICT, VISION SCREENING, SPRING TEACHERS GRANTS.
AP RENTALS OF MN LLC
$37,189AP RENTALS 2 - MSERP
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA COMMUNITY NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF MONTEVIDEO
$33,000MISSION SUPPORT
BLUE AND GOLD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION OF DISTRICT 891
$32,570FY2025 DISBURSEMENT, FY25 DISBURSEMENT-MILLER MEMORIAL.
GRANITE FALLS FOODS INC
$30,253ALMICH'S - MSERP
EL MEXICANO #3 INC
$30,000EL MEXICANO #3 - MSERP
HUTCHINSON HEALTH FOUNDATION
$30,000EMERGENCY CENTER EXPANSION AND RENOVATION PROJECT
CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
$30,000CAMBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES - MSERP
SOUTHWEST HOSPITALITY LLC
$27,000MSERP - TRAVELER'S LODGE
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA PRIVATE INDUSTRY COUNCIL INC
$26,000WORK AND LEARN COORDINATOR, NAVIGATING THE CURRENTS CONFERENCE RECOGNITION.
ROCK RANCH
$25,519FY2025 DISBURSEMENT, PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM.
BMR SALVAGE LLC
$25,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
MARK R PARKER
$25,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
BLACK DIAMOND INDUSTRIES LLC
$25,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
HILLTOP RESIDENCE INCORPORATED
$25,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM
DIBBLE ELECTRIC LLC
$25,000PROMISE GRANT PROGRAM