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Guest column by Tim Penny

Since 1986, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has invested over $60 million in grants across our 20-county region. These grants support a diverse array of projects, ranging from providing books to young children to fostering growth in small towns. Many of our grants also support initiatives that make our communities a more welcoming place for everyone to live and visit. Currently, two such grant opportunities are open.

We are currently accepting applications for our Inclusive and Equitable Entrepreneurial Communities Grant. This program supports organizations that provide direct services to start and expand business opportunities for diverse and/or traditionally underserved populations. Recently, Hispanic Advocacy and Community Empowerment Through Research (HACER) used this grant to help increase the number of Latino-owned businesses within nine counties of southern Minnesota. HACER did this through offering workshops on business skills, which eventually led to a final workshop where participants presented their business pitch. If you want to apply for this program, applications are due Aug. 5. Contact Jennifer Heien at jenniferh@smifoundation.org with questions.

I always look forward to SMIF’s Small Town Grant cycle, which supports the smallest communities in our region. Open to towns with populations under 10,000, this grant focuses on collaborative projects that solve challenges and create welcoming environments. Last year, the city of Lafayette used this grant to update their bandstand and park. Now that the downtown area is a space where people want to spend more of their time, there have been performances and events held in the updated space. This project pulled many volunteers together and achieved a great sense of community pride. SMIF’s Small Town Grant is made possible by a generous donation in memory of Paul Johnson who wanted southern Minnesota’s smallest communities to thrive. Applications are due Aug. 26. Contact Sarah Scheffert at sarahs@smifoundation.org with questions.

In mid-August, SMIF’s Early Care and Education Grants will open. This program supports important services for children birth to age 5, including social, emotional, physical and mental health and development needs. In the past, YWCA Mankato used this grant to help provide transportation for the families in their monthly group connections. These gatherings help form strong support systems and friendships between parents who are recent immigrants. The YWCA has also been able to connect families with essential resources like beds, clothing, winter gear, safety supplies and books.

Again, over the past 38 years, SMIF’s grants have contributed to welcoming communities, early learning and economic development. I can’t wait to see how organizations use the grants available this summer to make our region an even better place to call home.

As always, I welcome your comments and questions. You can reach me at timp@smifoundation.org or 507-455-3215.

Tim Penny is the president and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. He represented Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1982 to 1994.