The Initiative Foundation and its Partner Funds

In 1986, the farm crisis was taking its toll on Central Minnesota. In response, neighbors and partners gathered to support one another. From this willingness to lift up and give hope to our friends, the Initiative Foundation was created, and since that time you’ve helped us invest millions of dollars in grants, loans and scholarships across our region. 

Despite incredible progress, our communities and neighborhoods—and the people who live here—face new challenges:

• Central Minnesota faces a shortfall of more than 17,000 child care slots—a deficit that is affecting family prosperity by keeping parents sidelined from entering the workforce.
• Some small local businesses are operating below capacity—or, in some cases, shuttering their operations—due to a shortage of available skilled workers.
• And our nonprofits are seeing an increase in families seeking help for addiction, mental health emergencies and basic necessities such as food and shelter.

With your help, through a gift to the Foundation’s general fund, we can create solutions to address these challenges.

WILL YOU CONTINUE TO HELP US ADDRESS UNMET NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITIES?

A gift of about $500 will support a grant to help a dozen students learn about hometown employment opportunities through involvement in robotics clubs, culinary arts training or through job shadowing in health care careers. A gift of about $2,500 will make you a member of our Community Builders Circle ($1,000 annually) and will help to secure a year of training for one local nonprofit. Together with recurring gifts of $25, $50 or $100, we can create lasting solutions for our Central Minnesota friends, neighbors, communities, businesses and nonprofits.

Become more than a donor. Become an investor.

THE INITIATIVE FOUNDATION'S nonprofit grants, business loans and leadership programs help people to help themselves. With the support of thousands, the Foundation is committed to developing a climate in which every person has an opportunity to achieve success. 

Through grants and programs, we support dislocated worker training, youth career opportunities and business financing to diversify the region's economy. We also work with local governments to connect with businesses, revitalize downtowns and enhance environmental and recreational amenities that improve our quality of life.

For every local dollar invested, the Foundation, through its ability to attract outside funding, gives back an average of $3.83 to the counties it serves in the form of grants, programming and business investments.

The Initiative Foundation is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and proudly bears certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a community advantage lender. The Foundation meets rigorous national standards established by the Council on Foundations, has attained the highest four-star rating on financial health, accountability and transparency from Charity Navigator and is recognized for meeting standards for accountability and openness through the Charities Review Council. 

Give today for a greater Central Minnesota!

Making your donation by check? Make checks payable to the Initiative Foundation, and mail to Initiative Foundation - 446122, P.O. Box 64182, St Paul, MN 55164-0182.