Regional Highlights

MORRISON COUNTY | Kids Dig Into Learning at Rudolph Farm

Nearly 100 students cultivated new experiences at the Rudolph Farm near Little Falls over the past two summers. Grants from the Family Farm Fund and the Morrison County Area Foundation—both Initiative Foundation Partner Funds—made the visits possible for youth from the St. Cloud and Little Falls Boys & Girls Clubs. Students participated in hands-on workshops in farming, food education and rural arts.

TODD COUNTY | Enterprise Academy Sparks New Ventures in Long Prairie

New businesses are sprouting in Long Prairie, where the Enterprise Academy celebrated two graduating cohorts in spring and summer 2025. Seventeen entrepreneurs completed the program, launching ventures from a beauty salon and thrift store to a food truck, bakery and cleaning company. Since its founding, Enterprise Academy has graduated nearly 300 people—about 38 from Long Prairie—with new cohorts underway in St. Cloud and Monticello.

WADENA COUNTY | Astera Health Legacy Campus Celebrates New Childcare Center

The north wing of the Astera Health Legacy Campus in Wadena is now home to laughter, play and learning with the opening of a new childcare center. The facility features four suites, each with space for up to 10 children and their own provider. Supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, the Initiative Foundation and other donors, the project gained early momentum through Initiative Foundation funding for design bids.

CASS COUNTY | Pine River Group Home Cooks Up Improvements

At Pine River Group Home, staff are serving nutritious meals with less stress and greater consistency thanks to a streamlined meal-planning system. The approach saves time, cuts costs and ensures residents with developmental and cognitive disabilities receive quality nutrition across multiple homes. The improvements came through the Initiative Foundation’s Continuous Improvement program, which helped Pine River Group Home and seven other Central Minnesota organizations strengthen operations. All eight graduated in summer 2025 with new tools for lasting impact.

CROW WING COUNTY | Let’s Go Fishing Reels in Support

With support from two Initiative Foundation Partner Funds, Let’s Go Fishing Brainerd Lakes is casting a safety net for its riders. A grant from the Lakes Area Medical Development Fund helped to pay for an automated external defibrillator for a recently purchased second pontoon, while the Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation pitched in for life jackets—keeping seniors, veterans, youth and people with disabilities safe as they enjoy time on the water.

MILLE LACS COUNTY | Expanding Care, Building Youth Resilience in Mille Lacs

Mille Lacs Health System is expanding behavioral health services for children, with a focus on Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe youth. Supported by Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) funding, the project will provide year-round, culturally responsive care in clinics to reduce stigma and build resilience. In total, $740,000 in OBT Community Responsive Fund grants supported 17 Central Minnesota organizations to advance literacy, foster care, children’s health, disability services, mental health and hospital improvements.

BENTON COUNTY | Clear Vision for Growth at Infinite Eye Care

Infinite Eye Care in Sauk Rapids is expanding to add an optometrist, creating one full-time job and ensuring continuity for its well-established practice. The growth supports local economic development by expanding access to quality eye care. Backed by an Initiative Foundation Impact Fund loan, the project reflects how Foundation lending—large and small—supports Central Minnesota’s economy. In 2024, the Foundation invested nearly $7 million through 56 loans that leveraged $41 million in private local investments.

SHERBURNE COUNTY | Grant Promotes Hope, Health, Healing for Homeless Youth

A grant is helping Open Doors for Youth in Elk River launch a new program for young people experiencing homelessness. First Fridays will offer monthly gatherings for 16- to 24-year olds and will feature adult-led activities with community members, skill-building, volunteer projects, shared meals, games and quiet reflection. The organization strives to provide hope, support and a sense of belonging while empowering youth to build healthy networks, strengthen personal wellbeing and move toward housing stability.

STEARNS COUNTY | Project Optimist Sparks Conversations on Isolation

Young adults are nearly twice as likely as seniors to report experiencing loneliness, according to the U.S. Surgeon General. In Central Minnesota, Project Optimist is turning that challenge into connection. With support from an Initiative Foundation grant, Project Optimist hosted a College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University conversation on reframing anxiety as excitement to spark social bonds. Led by founder and Initiators Fellowship alumna Nora Hertel, students shared strategies to build belonging and reduce isolation.

WRIGHT COUNTY | Boosting Awareness to Strengthen Workforce Connections

Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services is putting its strategic plan into action with help from an Initiative Foundation grant, supported by Compeer Financial. A key focus is to boost brand awareness through storytelling training for staff and board members. The grant also supports efforts to recruit and retain young workers and strengthen community connections—steps designed to grow the organization’s impact and better serve the region’s workforce needs.

CHISAGO COUNTY | Thriving Communities Relaunch Sparks Action in Taylors Falls

The Initiative Foundation has relaunched its Thriving Communities program, and Taylors Falls is among the first five towns to participate. The community will focus on expanding rustic trails, creating gathering spaces and strengthening branding through outreach. After a pause since 2017, Thriving Communities also is helping Braham, Motley, Sebeka and Staples identify priorities, host workshops and design projects that build pride, resilience and stronger connections for vibrant small-town futures.

ISANTI COUNTY | Memorial Hospital Foundation Grant Lifts Shelter Project

New Pathways broke ground Aug. 7 on a $3.5 million family shelter in Cambridge that will double its capacity to serve up to 10 families at a time. Supported by a $500,000 gift from the Memorial Hospital Foundation, an Initiative Foundation Partner Fund, the project also received key backing from the city, which sold the land for $1. Opening in summer 2026, the shelter will feature private apartments, on-site programming, case management and recovery services.

KANABEC COUNTY | Grants Spark Solar and Energy-Saving Projects

Two Kanabec County nonprofits are advancing clean energy with support from the Initiative Foundation’s spring Energy Efficiency and Community Resiliency Planning grant round. Seven County Senior Federation will study solar-ready roof and insulation upgrades at its Isle and Mora facilities, while Lakes and Pines Community Action Council will install a solar array at its office. Both projects will cut costs, promote sustainability and reinvest savings into community services.

PINE COUNTY | Historic Sandstone School Finds New Purpose

Construction is underway to transform Sandstone’s historic 1901 school into 31 workforce housing units and a new home for the Sandstone History and Art Center. The project broke ground in July 2025 and will restore a landmark once left to decay with roof damage, mold and broken windows. Expected to be completed by summer 2026, the revitalization is made possible through strong partnerships, including a mission-driven loan from the Initiative Foundation.