SMIFoundation

A capable workforce begins with people who understand from an early age that they are appreciated and have something valuable to give. The Foundation’s many investments in early childhood education rest on this fact. We are committed to supporting our region’s youngest children for their benefit, and for the benefit of all.

As a community, we succeed when:

• Our children are ready to go to kindergarten


• Early success leads to higher achievement, less grade retention & higher graduation rates


• Adult workers have skills that sustain a growing economy

The Foundation strives for these results.

Tools that Promote Growth

We work with communities and organizations that commit to collaboration. Focusing on existing assets, we support educators and others as they find creative ways to make things better for children and their families. We use these tools to energize growth.

STRUCTURE for COLLABORATION
Early Childhood Coalitions bring community members together to improve the lives of young children. Together, participants from all sectors develop a vision, then implement a local action plan.

Coalitions begin with an informational meeting led by The Foundation. Key leaders are identified and engaged. Interviews, surveys, and a public forum are identify existing resources for young children, program accessibility, and perceptions. Opportunities are then identified.

A 3-point strategic action plan is developed and implemented. Programs are tracked to measure effectiveness. Sustainability plans are made, then carried out with assistance from The Foundation over the course of years.

LEARNING RESOURCES
Donor partners provide learning resources such as computers and books.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
We provide networking opportunities and expertise to regional partners for programs and activities related to our focus areas.

CONVENINGS
We collaborate with regional partners to create small and large convenings that enhance awareness, increase knowledge, and produce results related to our focus areas. This expands perspectives, connections, and the scope of projects.

A Powerful Minnesota Alliance

As a member of the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation extends its impact, expands resources, and brings early childhood care and education to the forefront of public discussion. This statewide alliance, comprised of six Minnesota Initiative Foundations, The McKnight Foundation, and Ready 4 K (a non-profit public policy advocate), represents a network of 66 community coalitions that serve 750,000 Minnesotans, including 45,000 children between the ages of one and five. Four hundred promising strategies have been implemented and documented by these communities for use by others. Some coalitions are now pilot programs for The Thrive Initiative, a statewide effort to establish stronger mental health resources for children in their earliest years.

To learn more about the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative, click to download this publication:
“Supporting Minnesota’s Youngest Citizens: Lessons Learned 2003-2006”

To examine model community programs and how they link to research, click to download this publication, prepared by Wilder Research:
“Building Nurturing Communities of Thriving Children”

To learn more about The Thrive Initiative, click to download this brochure:
“The Minnesota Thrive Initiative: Promoting the Healthy Social and Emotional Development of Our Youngest Children”