Grantmaking public charity · EIN 36-3454285
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Owatonna, MN
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is a public charity that makes grants based in Owatonna, MN. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2024, it reported $4.43M in grants paid across 155 grants, with $80.9M in total assets. Its largest grants went to Minnesota Farmers' Market Association, Renewing the Countryside II and Village Agricultural Cooperative.
How to request funding
Its Form 990 lists the grants it made but not how it chooses recipients. Check Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's website or contact it to ask whether it considers requests.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Southern minnesota initiative foundation (the foundation) provides grants on an open application basis. the requirements to apply for grants are posted on the foundation's website, and also on the rfp's that are sent out. the foundation also provides assistance to grant applicants as needed. the foundation approves grants based on the requirements listed for the application, and also based on organizational guidelines and budget constraints. the foundation requires the applicant to fill out an application and upon approval will notify the applicant, have them sign a contract and the foundation will require on-going correspondences, site visits and final reports demonstrating dollars were spent according to the foundation grant guidelines.
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2024; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
Invests for economic growth in the 20 counties of south central and southeastern minnesota.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2024
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Farmers' Market Association | Nerstrand, MN | "grow Your Green Program | $100,000 |
| Renewing the Countryside II | Hammond, MN | Expanding Impacts in Southern Minnesota's Food Systems | $100,000 |
| Village Agricultural Cooperative | Rochester, MN | Gaining Critical Capacity for Farming Entrepreneurs; Food Aggregation Support | $80,000 |
| Families First of Minnesota | Rochester, MN | Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $60,554 |
| Region Nine Development Commission | Mankato, MN | Growing the Grower's Network; Support Underserved Farmers in South Central Minnesota | $60,000 |
| Mankato Kiwanis Foundation | Mankato, MN | Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $59,077 |
| Sharing Our Roots | Northfield, MN | Cultivating Food-Based Traditions As Equitable Pathways to Farming | $50,000 |
| Leo Augusta Children's Academy | Blooming Prairie, MN | Keeping Our Children and Staff Educated; Keeping Our Children Warm; Support of Blooming Prairie Mainstreet | $42,000 |
| City of Mapleton | Mapleton, MN | Eagles Nest Update; Rural Economic Development Projects | $40,000 |
| Initiative Foundation | Little Falls, MN | Rural Voice Project | $37,500 |
| Three Rivers Community Action Incorporated | Zumbrota, MN | Locally Designed Family Child Care Model; Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $31,815 |
| Northfield Public Schools Community Education | Northfield, MN | Northfield Extended Day; Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $27,554 |
| City of Springfield | Springfield, MN | Springfield Strategic Economic and Housing Development Plan; Childcare Start-Up Program | $27,125 |
| Faribault Public Schools | Faribault, MN | Ecfe on the Go - Building on Success; Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $26,646 |
| Achla - Alliance of Chicanos Hispanics and Latin Americans | Rochester, MN | Achla Prosperity Initiative: Building Financial Futures; Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $25,908 |
| New Ulm Ecfe | New Ulm, MN | Ready for Play, Ready for School Success; Childrens Books Distributed Through Early Childhood Program Literacy Grants | $25,908 |
| City of Gibbon | Gibbon, MN | Clear Lake Park Restroom Building | $25,000 |
| City of Goodview | Goodview, MN | Dredging of Lake Goodview at Michael Lacanne Memorial Park | $25,000 |
| City of Preston | Preston, MN | Follow the Trout Route! | $25,000 |
| City of Sherburn | Sherburn, MN | Sherburn Park Revitalization Initiative | $25,000 |
| Good Acre | Saint Paul, MN | Growing Produce Farmer Opportunities | $25,000 |
| Austin Aspires | Austin, MN | Childcare Support Initiative | $20,000 |
| Blue Earth Economic Development Authority | Blue Earth, MN | Rural Economic Development Projects | $20,000 |
| City of Adams | Adams, MN | Adams Childcare Initiative Activation | $20,000 |
| City of Caledonia | Caledonia, MN | Rural Economic Development Projects | $20,000 |
The 25 largest of 155 grants listed on the return. 53 grants to individuals ($1.36M) are counted but not named. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
Quick answers
Does Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation accept grant applications?
Its Form 990 lists the grants it made but not how it chooses recipients. Check Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's website or contact it to ask whether it considers requests. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation give each year?
For tax year 2024, it reported $4,432,085 in grants paid (155 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2024 went to Minnesota Farmers' Market Association (MN), $100K, Renewing the Countryside II (MN), $100K, Village Agricultural Cooperative (MN), $80K, Families First of Minnesota (MN), $60.6K and Region Nine Development Commission (MN), $60K.