Quick Summary
Name: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) Status: Active Grant Maker
Key Facts
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Giving | $3,163,893 (2024) |
| Grant Range | $5,000 - $100,000 |
| Average Grant | Not specified (varies by program) |
| Application Method | Rolling / Fixed Deadline (varies by program) |
Contact Details
- Website: https://smifoundation.org
- Phone: (507) 455-3215 / (507) 214-7040
- Email: inquiry@smifoundation.org
- Address: 525 Florence Ave, PO Box 695, Owatonna, MN 55060
Geographic Focus
SMIF serves 20 counties in south central and southeastern Minnesota, including 175 communities and one Native nation. Counties include: Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Le Sueur, Martin, Mower, Nicollet, and others in the region.
Funding Priorities
- Early Childhood: Early care and education services for children birth to age five; early literacy programs for children birth to age eight
- Community Development: Small town collaborative initiatives (communities under 10,000 population) addressing culture, education, economy, and/or social aspects
- Economic Development: Initiatives that create more prosperous local economies; small business development; entrepreneurship
- Capital Projects: Essential services in small towns (food, clothing, shelter, transportation, internet accessibility); child care facilities
- Health and Wellbeing: Physical and mental health services for children and families; youth support and enrichment
- Community Asset Building: Diversity initiatives; community planning
What They Don't Fund
- Individuals (unless through an eligible fiscal agent)
- For-profit businesses/organizations (unless through an eligible fiscal agent)
- Organizations outside their 20-county southern Minnesota service region
- Projects not aligned with their programmatic focus areas
- For business programs: businesses operating more than 5 years, businesses with annual revenue over $1 million, mandated programs/services, applicants with unsatisfied SMIF loan obligations within past 24 months
Application Method
Application process varies by program. Grant opportunities include:
- Community Responsive Fund (with Otto Bremer Trust): $10,000 - $100,000, 1-year duration
- Economic Development Grants: Supporting local economic initiatives
- Small Town Grants: For communities under 10,000 population
- Taylor Grants: Capital projects for child care and community vibrancy
- Early Literacy Grants: Fixed deadlines (e.g., March 17, 2026)
- Incentive Grants: Up to $20,000 for collaborative projects
- PROMISE Act Business Grants: $10,000 - $50,000 for working capital
Visit smifoundation.org for current application forms and guidelines, or contact the foundation directly.
References
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