Small Town Grant Spotlight: City of New Prague
In 2023, the City of New Prague was awarded a $6,630.75 Small Town Grant from SMIF to enhance their Southside Park disc golf course.
SMIF awards $248K to support essential services for young children
SMIF recently approved $248,275 for 24 Early Childhood projects that will support early care and education services, impacting more than 5,884 young children.
Welcome Home
Blue Earth has made it its mission to be a welcoming community. Initially offering welcome baskets to new homeowners, the community has expanded its efforts to include a Day of the Dead festival, translation projects and other initiatives designed to help everyone feel a sense of belonging.
Becoming Rooted
Amidst the spread of buildings in Rochester, there are plots of land spread throughout the city that have become an oasis for many immigrants. What started as a way to grow food for their families has turned into a way to generate income and give back to others. Several SMIF grants have supported this entrepreneurial growth.
How to Leave a Legacy for Small Towns
Scott Johnson and his sisters, Amy and Paula, believe that in order for communities to thrive, you have to maintain a sense of belonging for people. By continuing their late father's legacy, they are supporting small town growth and vibrancy.
A fresh coat of paint welcomes presidential turkeys to Farmamerica
Peach and Blossom, the turkeys pardoned by the U.S. president this year, have arrived at their forever home at Farmamerica in Waseca. Thanks to a fresh coat of paint from SMIF's Paint the Town Grant, visitors will get to see the turkeys in a beautifully-painted 1930s building.
SMIF awards $200,000 in Small Town Grants
SMIF recently approved 25 grants totaling $200,000 to support small towns of 10,000 or less in SMIF’s 20-county region.
Early Care & Education Grant Spotlight: Byron Community Education
In 2023, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded a $5,000 Early Care and Education Grant to Byron Community Education for programming and resources to help staff, parents and children with managing their emotions.
Early Care & Education Grant Spotlight: New Ulm ECFE
In 2022, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded a $14,000 Early Care and Education Grant to New Ulm ECFE. The grant was used on a variety of projects, including a mobile ECFE program and training on how to keep calm around challenging behavior.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: City of Winnebago
In 2022, the City of Winnebago was awarded a $2,940 Small Town Grant from SMIF to create a promotional video that will be added to the City website, highlighting why people should move to Winnebago.
