Impact & Reports
Current Annual Impact Report
Your passion for investing for good inspires us. Thank you for trusting us as your partner in giving. Your generosity is what makes Central Minnesota a vibrant place to call home.
View the difference you made last year. Read our annual impact report.
2026-2028 Strategic Framework
In 2026, the Initiative Foundation celebrates 40 years of partnership, progress and possibility in Central Minnesota. Working with community members, entrepreneurs and partners, the Foundation has helped strengthen the region’s economy and vitality. This 40-year milestone is both a reflection and a call to action. The 2026–2028 Strategic Framework builds on our legacy while responding to today’s realities—guiding continued investment in people, places and ideas to ensure lasting impact across Central Minnesota.
Read 2024 Impact Report Stories
Economy
Heading north on Highway 169 from Milaca, stop at the new Backroad Meats retail location for beef, chicken, pork, and specialty cuts like lamb, goat, buffalo and yak—plus 18 flavors of snack sticks. Rob and Amanda Isaacson expanded to the retail location with help from an Initiative Foundation loan. “Without [the Initiative Foundation’s] support, we couldn’t have done this,” Amanda Isaacson said. “They’ve been with us every step of the way.”
Community
There’s no denying it—fresh air, physical activity and social connection offer a natural boost to mental health. To support social connection, the Initiative Foundation awarded a grant to Hike Learn Be in St. Stephen. The organization created opportunities for people of all ages to connect in the outdoors through guided nature walks, interactive read-aloud sessions and hands-on activities like making pinecone bird feeders.
Generosity
Don Bottemiller grew up watching his parents give back, and it stuck with him. He started donating a portion of every raise and eventually created the Bottemiller Family Fund, a donor-advised Partner Fund of the Initiative Foundation. Now guided with help from his kids and grandkids, it’s a way to keep the giving spirit alive across generations—and inspire others to do the same.
2024 Initiative Foundation Impact
455
Entrepreneurs Trained
$8 Million
Delivered in Grants
131
Partner Funds
Read More Stories of Impact
Next-Level Initiators
Nine social entrepreneurs join the 2026-2027 Initiators Fellowship as the program expands its reach across Greater Minnesota Read More
The Power of Local Leadership
From small-town business owners to regional planners and volunteers, Central Minnesotans have spent four decades working with the Initiative Foundation to strengthen their communities. Read More
Our Legacy, Our Future
A forward-looking framework that honors the past and invests in people, places and ideas. Read More
Regional Highlights
Get the latest highlights from Central Minnesota’s 14 counties and two Native nations. Read More
A Hope, a Prayer—and a Plan
As weather patterns shift, communities plan for long-term stability. Read More
Past Annual Impact Reports
The Initiative Foundation supports a 14-county service area that includes Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright counties and portions of the Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe.
View our past annual reports to read stories of hope, resiliency and innovation.
Audited Financials
The Initiative Foundation’s audited financials provide an independent and objective assessment of our financial statements, ensuring transparency and accountability to donors, stakeholders and regulatory bodies. These comprehensive financial reports undergo a thorough examination by a qualified external auditor to verify the accuracy, reliability and compliance of our financial records and transactions.
Countywide Impact Update
Our Impact Update includes an all-in-one glance at the Initiative Foundation’s service and support in Central Minnesota since its inception in 1986.
Initiative Foundation Service Area
For every local dollar contributed, the Initiative Foundation has invested an average of $4.92 back into the region it serves.
Benton County
- Delivered 526 grants totaling $2.9 million
- Partnered on 686 loans totaling $5.7 million
- Created or retained 1,254 jobs
- Leveraged $40.5 million in outside capital
Cass County
- Delivered 819 grants totaling $5.7 million
- Partnered on 64 loans totaling $4.3 million
- Created or retained 480 jobs
- Leveraged $38.2 million in outside capital
Chisago County
- Delivered 315 grants totaling $3 million
- Partnered on 42 loans totaling $2.6 million
- Created or retained 497 jobs
- Leveraged $27.2 million in outside capital
Crow Wing County
- Delivered 1,415 grants totaling $10.2 million
- Partnered on 216 loans totaling $12.9 million
- Created or retained 2,138 jobs
- Leveraged $89.2 million in outside capital
Isanti County
- Delivered 615 grants totaling $3.5 million
- Partnered on 56 loans totaling $3.5 million
- Created or retained 507 jobs
- Leveraged $28 million in outside capital
Kanabec County
- Delivered 177 grants totaling $1.4 million
- Partnered on 25 loans totaling $741,950
- Created or retained 150 jobs
- Leveraged $2.4 million in outside capital
Mille Lacs County
- Delivered 519 grants totaling $2.5 million
- Partnered on 91 loans totaling $3.5 million
- Created or retained 738 jobs
- Leveraged $15.6 million in outside capital
Morrison County
- Delivered 1,265 grants totaling $6.2 million
- Partnered on 116 loans totaling $6.4 million
- Created or retained 1,803 jobs
- Leveraged $63 million in outside capital
Pine County
- Delivered 690 grants totaling $4.1 million
- Partnered on 49 loans totaling $4 million
- Created or retained 626 jobs
- Leveraged $25.6 million in outside capital
Sherburne County
- Delivered 766 grants totaling $4.4 million
- Partnered on 87 loans totaling $6.1 million
- Created or retained 796 jobs
- Leveraged $37.4 million in outside capital
Stearns County
- Delivered 2,803 grants totaling $21 million
- Partnered on 273 loans totaling $20.2 million
- Created or retained 3,105 jobs
- Leveraged $142 million in outside capital
Todd County
- Delivered 714 grants totaling $3.8 million
- Partnered on 77 loans totaling $2.6 million
- Created or retained 961 jobs
- Leveraged $10.2 million in outside capital
Wadena County
- Delivered 341 grants totaling $6.6 million
- Partnered on 80 loans totaling $3.3 million
- Created or retained 959 jobs
- Leveraged $23.1 million in outside capital
Wright County
- Delivered 607 grants totaling $5.1 million
- Partnered on 89 loans totaling $7.4 million
- Created or retained 1,296 jobs
- Leveraged $60.1 million in outside capital
Financial Accountability
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by thousands of donors, financial accountability is our highest priority. We maintain the highest levels of integrity, efficiency and transparency in our financial practices.
Financial records, policies and procedures are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Oversight is provided by our Board of Trustees, Investment & Audit Committee and staff Finance Team. Rooted in Little Falls and serving Central Minnesota since 1986, the Initiative Foundation adheres to the Association of Fundraising Professionals Donor Bill of Rights and has attained platinum-level accreditation from Candid for its financial and operational transparency.
Contact
Connect with a member of our team to learn more about the Initiative Foundation’s financial accountability and impact.
