Foundation Awards Nearly $1.9 Million During Second Quarter
The Initiative Foundation and its hosted Partner Funds delivered 164 grants during the second quarter of 2024 totaling $1.87 million.
Supported by the PROMISE Act funded by the Minnesota Legislature, 47 small businesses received grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. The goal of the grants is to spur economic recovery in Central Minnesota, and throughout the state, by boosting small, rural, and minority-owned businesses, which face the largest barriers to accessing capital and resources.
Initiative Foundation Partner Funds during the first quarter awarded 73 grants totaling more than $463,000. These grants supported new gear for the Foreston Fire Department, rides for kids to summer recreation in the Wadena area, and a hockey program in Pine City, and more. See the full list of grantees.
The Initiative Foundation also awarded 44 grants totaling nearly $236,000. The grants supported trauma-informed training for staff at Family Safety Network in Walker, a housing project at the former Sandstone school, and technology upgrades at Faith in Action for Cass County. See the full list of grantees.
The Initiative Foundation also awarded 25 grants totaling $105,000 for projects, programs and community-building ideas that alleviate loneliness and social isolation while bridging differences and bringing people together. See the full list of grantees.
“During the second quarter of 2024, the Initiative Foundation was able to make a big impact for small businesses and nonprofits,” said Brian Voerding, Initiative Foundation president. “We are grateful to have partners across the region doing good work to bolster the economy, community and generosity of Central Minnesota.”
View the summary below for highlights of second quarter 2024 Initiative Foundation and Partner Fund grants. For a more comprehensive listing, visit ifound.org.
Initiative Foundation Awards
The following organizations were among those receiving Initiative Foundation grants during the months of April, May and June of 2024:
- Emily Emergency Food Shelf—Training: $7,050 for board training and executive development.
- St. Cloud Area Family YMCA—Parent Enrichment and Supervised Visitation Programs: $5,000 for expansion of the parent-enrichment and supervised- visitation program.
- Wright County Community Action, Inc.—Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative: $3,900 to support diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
See the full list of grantees.
Partner Fund Awards
The Initiative Foundation owns and manages a variety of Partner Funds created by families, businesses, nonprofits and volunteer-led groups. The following grants were among those made by our Partner Funds during the months of April, May and June of 2024:
- Greater Pine Area Endowment: $2,000 for safety and security at New Horizon Thrift Store.
- Little Falls Education Foundation: $1,500 for piano keyboard lab updates.
- Royalton Education Foundation: $1,500 to the Royalton School District for their care closet.
See the full list of grantees.
To support efforts like these, or to create your own Partner Fund, visit ifound.org/ways-to-give/start-a-fund/