March 2026

Alissa Oeltjenbruns

Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Vitality

alissao@smifoundation.org | 507.214.7023



Our well attended annual Spring Mixer will be held on Tuesday, May 19! Year after year, one theme rises to the top when we ask you what you value most about these events: time with each other.

This spring, we will be leaning fully into that insight and designing a mixer where you drive the conversation.

In partnership with Growth by Design, we will use the Art of Hosting's Open Space Technology process. We will invite participants to bring the topics, questions, and challenges they're actually wrestling with and spend the time in self-organized, peer-led conversations that matter.

Stay tuned for more details! We require at least one representative to attend per Community Foundation.



"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'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.

*This is a good reminder that SMIF offers lending services. We provide early-stage investments, traditional loans, micro loans, technical assistance, mentoring and regional leadership to achieve our vision of creating economic prosperity and community vitality. You can learn more here. Pass this on to the entrepreneurs in your community!

Watch for these upcoming SMIF grant opportunities on our website and social media:

• 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. It's not too early to start thinking about projects for this grant opportunity now!

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Here's a list of recent grants that your fellow Community Foundations have awarded:

• County fairground bathroom support
• Historical Society support
• Community theater support
• Scholarships
• City tree replacement
• Library programming support
• Pool pass support 

Photo: SMIF President and CEO, Benya Kraus, with her cousin, Jason Kraus, at his farm in Waseca County.

What is Acres for Good?

Our Acres for Good farmland succession program is focused on keeping farmland farming while using the extra income to impact causes the landowner cares about for future generations.