Initiatives

The Southwest Initiative Foundation focuses its time and resources around initiatives that have the greatest potential for widespread positive change in southwest Minnesota.

The Southwest Initaitive Foundation’s (SWIF) work is guided by a five-year (FY2007-FY2011) strategic plan.  This plan is based on an analysis of our past achievements, findings from a regional survey, and assessment of regional demographics, economic and social data and trends.  With all of that information as our basis, SWIF has targeted its grant and loan resources, and staff time and expertise around several key initiatives that we believe to be the most critical and to have the most potential for widespread growth and opportunity for the region.  These include:

• Economic Advancement Initiative
• Entrepreneurship Initiative
• Connected Communities Initiative
• Early Childhood Initiative
• Philanthropy

We have a number of tools we use to help us achieve our goals around these initiatives including grants, loans, community and designated funds (including the Paul & Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund and Student Enrichment Fund), and other key partnerships and programs.

In order to maximize the time and resources we invest in the region, SWIF has committed to:

• Honing our ability to design and deliver “proactive” programs focused on the region’s needs
• Taking on a greater leadership role across the region and through specific initiatives, and enabling constituents to do the same
• Substantially expanding our base of stakeholders and enhancing our reputation as an effective catalyst for change
• Collaborating extensively with organizations and individuals to deliver programs.

For More Information:				Additional Resources:
	Contact: Diana Anderson Chief Operating Officer (800) 594-9480 dianaa@swifoundation.org				No additional resources at this time. View Additional Resources