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Hello!
Forty years ago, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) set out to close a critical gap, ensuring that people with strong ideas and deep commitment to their communities had access to the resources needed to bring those ideas to life. But that work has never happened alone. From the very beginning, it has been made possible by donors like you who believe in the potential of southern Minnesota and invested in its people.
Donor support has helped turn possibilities into progress. It has allowed entrepreneurs to open doors, families to build stability and communities to grow stronger. From that very first loan to Neil Weaver of ABA Water Systems in Plainview to the many businesses, programs and partnerships that followed, your generosity has created lasting impact, often in ways that ripple across generations.
This spring, as we reflect on these forty years, we are filled with gratitude for the role you, as a donor to SMIF, have played in this work. Your commitment continues to fuel opportunity, innovation and connection across our region. We hope you will join us in celebrating what we’ve accomplished together, and join us in looking ahead to all that is still possible with your partnership! Thank you!
With gratitude,
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"Writing a will always felt like a daunting – yet important – task. So, when SMIF offered access to FreeWill, we jumped at the opportunity to finally get it done. When we reached the question about leaving a legacy gift to SMIF, the answer came easily: yes. We want to ensure that future generations in southern Minnesota have access to the same valuable resources and support that SMIF provides for this region," says Katie Godfrey Demmer, SMIF's Communications Director.
Katie recently took the time to share with us about what being a donor to SMIF means to her.
What can you tell others about giving to SMIF? And giving in general?
I think it's important people understand that you can give small amounts and still make an impact. I give a small amount every year to SMIF, and I also allocated a certain percentage to SMIF in my will. Doing something like that creates security for the organization and, in turn, security for the region. You can read the full story here.
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Lending team welcomes Brandi and Molly
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SMIF's lending team recently added two new directors!
Brandi Grunzke, SMIF lending director of systems and compliance, brings nearly 10 years of experience in the financial industry, five years in banking with business deposits and lending and five years in retirement plan administration, giving her a well-rounded perspective on financial services and long-term planning. Read her full bio.
Molly Bartels Roth, SMIF lending director of partnerships and technical assistance, holds an MA in nonprofit management and social sector leadership from the University of Chicago Crown School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Most recently, Molly served as program manager, strategic response for IFF, a Midwest-wide community development financial institution that champions nonprofits to shape more equitable and vibrant communities. Read her full bio.
| | Spotlight: Montgomery Community Foundation and rapid community response | | |
"Operation Metro Surge did not just affect Twin Cities neighborhoods. It affected our small towns and school districts. School District administrators and social workers became aware of students staying home from school. Parents were not going to work and not dropping their children off at school. Seeing the need, school staff took it upon themselves to deliver school supplies and groceries to families who were sheltering in place.
"Montgomery Community Foundation applied for an Emergency Response Grant to fund a grocery delivery operation. The school district identified families in need while a mighty little army of volunteers picked up food that was boxed by a local food shelf. Others quietly delivered to the homes of our neighbors. Families have started returning to work but we intend to continue with food deliveries to allow families to catch up on rent and bills.
"We are grateful for the funding that helped us help our neighbors. We're just neighboring out here."
--Liz Krocak, Montgomery Community Foundation
| SMIF awards $99,865 in Economic Development Grants | |
SMIF recently approved six grants totaling $99,865 to support economic development initiatives in SMIF’s 20-county region.
“Especially for our small towns, having the capacity to think holistically and long-term about community resiliency in the face of economic shocks is critical,” shared Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO. “We are proud to support the initiatives of these awardees, and the local leadership behind them.”
View the awardees.
| Grants awarded to support success of young children | Photo: SMIF's Early Childhood team hosted by the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota | |
SMIF approved $279,800 for 22 Early Childhood projects that will support early care and education services in SMIF's 20-county region.
Funding for these projects will help the organizations cover supports that range from social, emotional and physical health needs, training and development to operate and address the needs of young children.
View awardees.
| | Upcoming grant opportunities | | |
Watch for these upcoming SMIF grant opportunities on our website and social media:
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Small Town Grant opens in July of 2026. This grant seeks to invest in collaborative initiatives which improve the way your community works together, solves challenges, creates a welcoming community and sense of belonging for all. SMIF seeks proposals from communities under 10,000 which impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of the town. Applicants may apply for up to $10,000.
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Taylor Rural Improvements Grant opens fall 2026. This grant seeks to fund capital projects in communities under 10,000. This year the grant will focus on enhancements to community gathering spaces, and applicants may apply for up to $25k.
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Taylor Rural Child Care Grant opens fall of 2026. This grant is for communities of 30,000 or fewer. Additionally, this grant prioritizes projects that benefit families facing disproportionate access barriers. This may include low-income families, communities of color, immigrant families, families needing nontraditional hours, children with disabilities/special health needs.
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Early Care and Education Grant opens fall of 2026. Grant funds can be used to support social, emotional, physical and mental health, training and development to operate and address the needs of young children, or other activities necessary to maintain the services in early care and education.
| | Leave a lasting legacy with FreeWill | | A few years ago we realized there was a gap in accessibility to estate planning tools. We believe that all people and families deserve the opportunity to thrive, including planning for their future. That's why we are excited to partner with FreeWill, a free online tool to write your legal will at no personal cost to you. This resource helps protect your family and friends, plan beneficiaries for your assets and support the causes and communities you love. With FreeWill you can have peace of mind and leave a lasting legacy in just 20 minutes. This tool is also available to any friends and family that might benefit from it, so please pass it on. Learn more here. | |
Did you know?
SMIF has four endowment funds that you can contribute to. All of these endowment funds support our annual work and allow us to respond to the needs of our region as they arise.
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Our General Endowment supports and sustains our overall work and provides the financial stability our organization needs to continue addressing the emerging needs of our region.
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Our Tim Penny Small Towns Fund supports and sustains the region's small towns through grant making and our affiliant fund program which currently hosts 153 funds, including 35 Community Foundations.
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Our Youth Trust Fund supports children and Early Childhood professionals through quality trainings and programming, grant opportunities, early literacy, social and emotional development of children and other initiatives.
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Our Entrepreneur Fund provides technical assistance, training and financing opportunities for entrepreneurs and supports economic development in southern Minnesota communities through programming and grantmaking.
| | Donating farmland leaves a lasting legacy | | Benya Kraus with her cousin Jason Kraus, a farmer in Waseca County | | |
SMIF's Acres for Good program allows farm families to donate their land as a charitable gift upon retirement or passing. SMIF will retain the land and keep it in production by a rental arrangement, allowing farmers the peace of mind that their land will continue to be farmed.
The net income stream from the land can be used to support southern Minnesota communities well into the future, benefiting either a local Community Foundation, a specific cause or SMIF’s programs which support children, entrepreneurs and community vitality in the region.
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If you have any questions or want more information about this program, contact Alissa Oeltjenbruns at alissao@smifoundation.org.
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