This “Year In Review” reflects the key activities and achievements of the Southwest Minnesota Foundation during Fiscal Year 2005, which began July 1, 2004, and ended June 30, 2005.

$1.5 Million Bequest

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation received its largest gift from an individual through the estate of Walter and Arthur Anderson.  These brothers from rural Russel, Minnesota, left nearly their entire estate to charity, including $1.5 million to the Southwest Minnesota Foundation's general endowment.

Their wish was to create a lasting resource for the people and communities of southwest Minnesota, and they entrusted the Foundation to administer and direct the funds to meet the area's changing needs.  We are deeply grateful for the generosity of these two brothers and the important work we will be able to accomplish on their behalf for southwest Minnesota.

 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation Grant Award

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation was awarded a $10,000 New Times, New Tools grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation to help build the capacity and infrastructure of its Parish Nurse Initiative for southwest Minnesota. 

 

Building Plans

Plans for the Foundation's new office building located at the gateway to southwest Minnesota, on the corner of highways 7 and 15 in Hutchinson, are well underway. 

Once complete, the new single-story building with approximately 10,000 square feet will allow ample room to grow, as well as a permanent resource for all of southwest Minnesota.  Below, SWMF Trustees toss dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony.

 

Community Wind Financing Workshop

Nearly 30 bankers attended a workshop in Pipestone to inform regional lenders about the growing opportunity to provide finance support for community wind projects.  Following the workshop, attendees toured Dan Juhl's wind farm near Woodstock, MN.

 

Early Childhood Initiative

The SWMF provided ongoing technical assistance and support to six early childhood coalitions in southwest Minnesota, including Marshall, Montevideo, Murray County, Redwood Falls, Willmar, and Worthington.

The Foundation also helped coordinate the statewide "Seize the Opportunity:  Invest in Young Children" conference in St. Paul, which brought together nearly 700 community and business leaders to help ensure that young children have the best possible start in life.

 

Funding Award from The Schwan Food Company

Lenny Pippin, Vice Chairman, President, and CEO of The Schwan Food Company announced a $250,000 funding award to the SWMF at the Foundation's 2005 Annual Banquet. The award includes:

  • $50,000 for the SWMF's General Endowment
  • $50,000 to establish a Southwest Minnesota Student Enrichment Endowment Fund
  • $25,000 for the Southwest Minnesota Student Enrichment Program Fund
  • $25,000 for the Early Childhood Initiative in southwest Minnesota
  • $100,000 challenge grant to establish the Marshall Community Foundation



Funding Received for Micro Enterprise Loan Program

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation was awarded a three-year $120,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Foundation and $90,000 over two years from the United States Department of Agriculture to continue its successful Micro-Enterprise Loan Program. 

The awards will help the Foundation expand its current ability to provide cultural-specific technical assistance to non-English speaking entrepreneurs.

 

Grants Awarded

Awarded 174 grants totaling $1,050,946 in Fiscal Year 2005.  Pictured below is just one of the priorities of the Foundation.  This group of youth and seniors participated in an intergenerational dialogue in Montevideo to help foster mutual respect and understanding among generations.

 

Growing Home Circle Campaign

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation launched its Growing Home Circle campaign in July 2004.  The Growing Home Circle honors individuals and businesses who make a gift of $1,000 or more dedicated to the Foundation's General Endowment.

During Fiscal Year 2005, 60 donors made the commitment to the Growing Home Circle, which totaled over $130,000.

 

Life Connections

Co-sponsored the Life Connections event in Willmar for the fifth year.  The event is held to help adults explore lifestyle and resource options for a positive and productive future.

 

Loans Awarded

Awarded 29 loans, including conventional gap financing loans and micro-enterprise loans, totaling $646,150 in Fiscal Year 2005.  These loans helped create or sustain over 106 jobs in southwest Minnesota. 

Pictured below is Jeff Lenz, who received a micro-enterprise loan from the SWMF to open a small engine repair shop in Olivia, Minnesota.

 

Minnesota Initiative Foundation Retreat

The SWMF hosted staff from all six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs) at the 2004 All MIF Retreat at the Willmar Conference Center.  Attendees spent two days in educational sessions, and an evening at Melvin's on the Lake in Spicer for networking and entertainment.

 

New Community Fund Partnerships

Two communities established partnerships with the Southwest Minnesota Foundation through its community foundation program in Fiscal Year 2005, including Benson and Marshall.

 

New Component Fund Partnerships

Nine new component funds were established through the Southwest Minnesota Foundation:

  • Blue and Gold Foundation Fund
  • Carol M. Ulrich Haukos Memorial Endowment Fund
  • Heimark Family Fund
  • Horizons of Jackson Fund
  • Hospice Cottage, Inc. of Worthington Endowment Fund
  • Laura Miller Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund
  • Madison Community Baseball Endowment Fund
  • Mountain Lake Area Foundation for Education Fund
  • Southwest Minnesota Student Enrichment Endowment Fund

 

New Trustees

Appointed three outstanding regional leaders to the Board of Trustees.  They included:

 

Dr. Wayne Freese, CEO and Chairman of Prairie Holdings Group in Worthington

 

Sander Ludeman V, Managing Partner of SanMarbo Farms, Inc., in Tracy

 

Tim Ulrich, President and Chief Operating Officer of Citizens Bank and Trust Co. in Hutchinson

 

New Staff

Hired new staff to help the Foundation carry out its mission, including:

 

Sara Carlson, Program Officer focusing on the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative

 

Cheryl Glaeser, Program Assistant for grants and proactive initiatives

 

Dawn Hartwig, Development Assistant for fund development and communications efforts

 

Nonprofit Management Institute

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation held its eighth Nonprofit Management Institute in April 2005.  Thirteen nonprofit organizations and 49 individuals participated in this Institute, which was offered to small nonprofits located in southwest Minnesota.

 

Regional Impact Grants

The SWMF sets aside funds to support regional projects that do not fit current grant priorities, but that do exemplify its mission. 

In Fiscal Year 2005, the Foundation awarded Regional Impact Grants to two projects, including:

  • Clean Up The River Environment (CURE), Montevideo, for operational support for its new efforts, including a youth initiative, hard rock initiative, and the Clean Minnesota River Economy
  • Rice Hospital Foundation, Willmar, for a feasibility study to establish a Gillette Mobile Outreach Clinic in southwest Minnesota

 

Renewable Energy Marketplace

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation introduced a marketing strategy for advancing renewable energy in the region by branding the 18-county area as the Renewable Energy Marketplace™.   

This brand platform was created to enable stakeholders to promote the area in a consistent way as the commerce center to invest, build, sell, and distribute renewable energy products.  Organizations in southwest Minnesota have access to the logo below for these efforts.

 

 

 

Southwest Minnesota Blandin Alumni Community Leadership Award

Jim Keul of Jackson was honored with the Southwest Minnesota Blandin Community Leadership Award.  The award, which is presented through the partnership of the SWMF and Blandin Community Leadership Program, recognizes a BCLP alum or alumni team for significant contributions in community leadership.

Keul was honored for the leadership he has provided to the Jackson Economic Development Association and the new businesses, jobs, and opportunities he has helped bring to the Jackson area.

 

Southwest Minnesota Foundation 2005 Annual Banquet

With over 400 people in attendance, the SWMF held its 2005 Annual Banquet in the Exposition Center at Jackpot Junction in Morton.  "The SchwanMen," a group of employees from The Schwan Food Company, entertained guests with home grown rock 'n roll.  The Foundation also held educational workshops on Renewable Energy, Senior-Friendly Communities, and Minority Businesses prior to the banquet.

 

 

Southwest Minnesota Foundation Award

Presented the sixth annual Southwest Minnesota Foundation Award to Gary and Marjory Becker of Marshall.  The award recognizes an organization or individual that exemplifies the mission and values of the Foundation, which include collaboration, leadership, innovation, and philanthropy.

 

 

Southwest Minnesota Foundation Leadership Award

Presented the first-ever Southwest Minnesota Foundation Leadership Award to Patrick Moore of Montevideo.  Moore received the award for demonostrating exceptional leadership in one of the Foundation's priority areas, Connecting Youth and Communities, for his efforts and dedication to the Early Childhood Initiative.

 

Valspar Grants

The Southwest Minnesota Foundation and Valspar Corporation partnered for the eighth year to bring the Minnesota Beautiful program, which provides paint and coatings for community improvement projects, to southwest Minnesota. 

Eight restoration and beautification projects were awarded 434 gallons of paint and coatings in 2005, including:

  • Camp Sanderson Girl Scout Camp in Spicer
  • Christian Community Outreach Center in Olivia
  • Heritage Village in Mountain Lake
  • Hutchinson Economic Development Authority in Hutchinson
  • Jackson County Fair Association in Jackson
  • Meeker County Parks Department in Litchfield
  • Nobles County Historical Society in Worthington
  • Rotary Clubs of Marshall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Back