Regional Highlights

MORRISON COUNTY | Royalton: Care Closet Boosts Student Success

When students lack basic needs, it’s hard to focus on learning. Royalton Schools’ Care Closet program helps ensure students have food to carry them through weekends and during summer breaks. As food prices rise, demand for the program continues to grow, with dozens of weekend food bags distributed each month. A grant from the Royalton Education Foundation, an Initiative Foundation Partner Fund, is helping keep the shelves stocked so students don’t have to miss a meal.

TODD COUNTY | Right on Track: Grant Helps Keep Polar Xpress Rolling

All aboard! Nearly 2,000 people—some from as far as 75 miles away—gathered in Staples in mid-December for the annual Polar Xpress event, a free, family-friendly celebration of the community’s railroad history. An Initiative Foundation’s Joy and Connection grant helped the Staples Historical Society expand the event, which featured local vendors with unique holiday gifts, hands-on ornament-making, face painting, cookie decorating, and, of course, trains of all sizes.

WADENA COUNTY | Wadena Dance Company Takes Stage in Renovated Studio

Moment in Time Dance Company in Wadena is stepping into a new chapter. After years of renting its downtown space, the owners purchased the building and completed renovations in summer 2025. The project expands dance classes, especially for young adults, and creates space for two additional businesses. A loan from the Initiative Foundation and Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union helped make it possible, supporting the studio’s mission to build dancers on and off the stage.

CASS COUNTY | Food Security Grants: Stocking Shelves, Supporting Neighbors

Food shelves across Cass County stocked more food in 2025 as the Initiative Foundation expanded support for food access. Nine local food shelves, including Cass Lake, Outing and Longville, received grants to meet rising demand. Funding was awarded in two rounds: $100,000 to Central Minnesota food shelves in summer 2025 and $310,000 in winter 2025 through partnerships with Sourcewell and a philanthropic partner to strengthen local food systems.

CROW WING COUNTY | Youth Center Grows Capacity Through Care, Connection

Research shows that one caring adult can change a young person’s path. An Initiative Foundation grant is helping the Cuyuna Range Youth Center in Crosby strengthen its financial footing through training in donor engagement, fundraising, storytelling and sustainable revenue strategies. The center serves youth across Crow Wing County as a leadership and personal development space where students help shape the programming, build community, share a warm meal and connect with supportive adults.

MILLE LACS COUNTY | Mille Lacs Plans Place to Pause at Fairgrounds

County fairs are full of excitement—but the crowds, noise and activity can be overwhelming for some visitors. To provide a quiet place to pause and recharge, the Mille Lacs County Agricultural Society will create a tranquility garden at the Mille Lacs County Fairgrounds in Princeton, with support from the Initiative Foundation’s 2025 Joy and Connection grant round. The space will feature shaded seating, accessible pathways, native plants and wind chimes.

BENTON COUNTY | Phases Helps Families Stretch Through the Holiday

Phases Family Support helps families navigate difficult seasons by providing essentials such as food, clothing and household items. The Foley-based nonprofit supports about 200 children through a weekend food program serving families in Foley Public Schools. During the holidays, Phases partnered with Nick & Drew’s Discount Foods to provide 100 grocery gift certificates to participating families. The effort was supported by a Good Neighbor Grant from the McKnight Foundation, distributed by the Initiative Foundation.

SHERBURNE COUNTY | Counties Launch Regional Economic Development District

Sherburne County has joined Benton and Stearns counties in launching a renewed 7W Economic Development District, a regional effort to strengthen access to state and federal investment for economic development projects. The Initiative Foundation is hosting the district, providing administrative and project management support. Over the coming year, participating counties will set shared priorities, pursue funding opportunities and work toward certification by the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support long-term growth.

STEARNS COUNTY | Network Expands Recovery Work By Building Its Capacity

As Recovery Community Network expanded its recovery support from Stearns County into Wright County, leaders saw the need to strengthen the organization’s operations. Supported by an Initiative Foundation grant, the St. Cloud-based organization improved its outreach, fundraising and financial systems to better serve people in recovery. That capacity-building investment helped position the organization to secure a Minnesota Department of Human Services grant, expanding access to recovery support and strengthening long-term sustainability in the region.

WRIGHT COUNTY | Buffalo Area Launches New Community Foundation

The Initiative Foundation has welcomed the Buffalo Area Community Foundation as a new Partner Fund focused on growing local philanthropy and supporting schools, local governments and nonprofit organizations serving the Buffalo area. Guided by local leaders, the fund will provide long-term support for community priorities and projects that strengthen quality of life. The Initiative Foundation also recently added education-focused Partner Funds in Cass Lake-Bena and Sebeka, reflecting broader efforts across communities regionwide.

CHISAGO COUNTY | New Salon Brings Fresh Style to Chisago City

The Mane Alchemist opened a new chapter in Chisago City in late 2025. With support from an Initiative Foundation loan, owner Tamara Bowman renovated a leased space with six stylist stations and two treatment rooms. The expansion creates room for independent stylists, broadens services for clients and supports job growth. The salon emphasizes creativity, professionalism and community connection.

ISANTI COUNTY | Community Conversations Shape Braham’s Future

Residents in Braham are taking shared steps toward a stronger hometown after completing the Initiative Foundation’s relaunched Thriving Communities program. The effort brought neighbors together through community conversations, trainings on child safety and mental health, seasonal festivals and early planning for a future parks project. Braham was part of a cohort that included Motley, Sebeka, Staples and Taylors Falls. The program helps local leaders build momentum around ideas shaped by community members. Learn more at ifound.org/community-building/thriving-communities.

KANABEC COUNTY | Grant Promotes More Books, Stronger Starts for Children

More than 400 children and families in Central Minnesota will receive four books each year through an expanded early literacy effort led by Lakes and Pines Community Action Council. Supported by a grant from the Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund, distributed by the Initiative Foundation, the project will increase book giveaways for Head Start children—promoting kindergarten readiness, family engagement and lifelong learning.

PINE COUNTY | People, Projects, Place: County Invests in Its Economic Future

Pine County is strengthening its future by investing in training for its economic development coordinator to advance local priorities. The added skills support work on broadband expansion, new child care slots and housing efforts, including a renovated homeless shelter and a new Local Housing Trust Fund. Support was provided by a Compeer Financial Rural Vitality Grant, distributed by the Initiative Foundation, to help advance people-centered projects with lasting value for residents countywide.