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Greetings!
Summer is in full swing at SMIF! Two grants are currently accepting applications and three more will open in the fall. One of my favorite parts of working at SMIF is seeing how people show up for their communities when given the support and financial backing they need to succeed. I can't wait to see what initiatives come from these grants.
We are also excited to welcome a new intern and board members to our team. They each are bringing their own experiences in and passions for southern Minnesota, and we couldn't be more grateful.
There is so much more happening at SMIF! I hope you find inspiration and opportunity in our summer newsletter.
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Benya Kraus
President and CEO
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The McKnight Foundation invests $6 million into
Greater Minnesota
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“This investment is about backing the ingenuity, resilience and leadership of rural people and places.” - Tonya Allen, president of the McKnight Foundation
We’re grateful for the McKnight Foundation’s $6 million investment in the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations, including $1 million for Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation in 2026.
"Every day we help local people bring their best ideas forward for how they can care for their neighbors, how they can invest in their own opportunities and dreams." - Benya Kraus, president & CEO, SMIF
Thank you to our community partners, donors, leaders and neighbors who make this work possible.
Read the full announcement.
| | Welcoming William Carlson to SMIF for the summer | | |
William Carlson is joining SMIF as a summer intern! He's just finished up his freshman year at the University of Chicago where he is planning to study political science and pre-med. Having grown up in Houston, MN, he has experiences working on his family farm, serves as a local EMT volunteer, started the EMT training program at his high school and supports his family's business.
Thanks to a Hometown Internship program through the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, we'll get the opportunity to have his talents contribute to a few focus areas, including food business landscape and ecosystem, youth and young adult engagement, foundation support for health and childcare systems and Houston Community Foundation revitalization.
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We are excited to welcome three new board members (pictured left to right):
With their dedicated work to serving southern Minnesota, we are grateful to them for lending their time and expertise to SMIF.
Read their bios.
| | Book pick up day was a blast! | | |
We always look forward to our Early Literacy Grant book pick up days! Members from 75 organizations stopped by to pick up 26,797 children’s books. Watch the video to hear how a few will use their books to support kids and families across our region.
As always, we are incredibly grateful to our volunteers for their help and to Capstone and ABDO, Mankato-based publishers of children’s books, for their generous donations!
| | Kenyon adds picnic shelters with help from grant | | Photo: Students and volunteers stand with one of the completed shelters at Depot Park in Kenyon. Photo courtesy of Kenyon Community Development. | | |
In 2025, the City of Kenyon received a SMIF Small Town Grant to add two new picnic shelters at the Depot Park. The project was made possible by the collaboration of local organizations, the school district and volunteers.
Our partners at CEDA wrote a wonderful article capturing the project, which was shared by the Kenyon Leader:
"A unique aspect of this project is that the shelters were built by students in the Kenyon-Wanamingo School District construction program, offering students valuable hands-on learning experiences while making a lasting impact in the community."
Read the full story.
| | Loan client spotlight: Tone Music in Owatonna | | |
Mara Schack, SMIF loan client and owner of Tone Music in Owatonna, shared her experience working with SMIF and what it means to bring music to all ages and abilities in the community.
"Music is in my bones, and I've always thought about having my own music studio," Mara shared. "It’s still a business, but at the same time I’m trying to provide music to all ages, levels and abilities in the community. I'm a firm believer that you can learn at any age.
"It has been really fun to be part of an organization that is working kind of like I am: community driven and wanting to help others. I feel like SMIF's values align with mine in a lot of ways, so it it feels like a good partnership."
Read Mara's full story.
| | Pictured: United Team Elite, real estate held by SMIF loan client, NGSW Properties, LLC. Photo curtesy of United Team Elite. | | |
The following entrepreneurs are growing their businesses in southern Minnesota and have recently received loans from SMIF:
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Becker Bins LLC, Lonsdale | Junk removal and cleanout service
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Brihte LLC, Albert Lea | Project-based homeschool enrichment co-op
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JAF Properties LLC, Mankato | Property holding for Mankato Chemical Health LLC
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Jupiter Properties LLC, Northfield | Property holding for The Lux MedSpa
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New Ulm Spine & Sport, New Ulm | Chiropractic services
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NGSW Properties, LLC, North Mankato | Real estate holding for United Team Elite
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The SanBox LLC, New Ulm | Catering
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BridgEd: Partners powering economic growth
Save the date: Oct. 6 in Wells, MN
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BridgED brings together leaders and practitioners to share real-world successes, explore regional trends and tackle common challenges through interactive discussions, workshops and peer learning.
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FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace
Save the date!
| | | | Save the date for the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace! Sample local foods and beverages, watch cooking demos and connect with individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local and regional food system. Exhibitor registration is open! Public tickets to come. | | |
As we continue to celebrate 40 years of impact, we invite you to help us invest in the future of entrepreneurs, children and communities.
Thanks to investment earnings, your gift will continue to grow and have an even greater impact on the region in years to come.
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Leave a lasting legacy 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.
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