Small Town Grant Program
Small communities are the fabric of our region, yet sometimes lack the financial resources to build on the assets and uniqueness of their communities. A key component to creating a vibrant region is to ensure all its communities are strong and successful.
The Small Town Grant Program 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 with populations of 10,000 or less which impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of the town.
This is a competitive grant round, and projects that prioritize making the community more welcoming and/or foster a sense of belonging for all will be prioritized above other projects. Previous grant recipients may apply again. Projects must be new or have a significant new aspect.
This grant is closed for 2026.
Check out this short video for essential Small Town Grant information:
The Small Town Grant program is supported, in part, by a generous donation in memory of Paul Johnson who wanted southern Minnesota’s smallest communities to thrive. Paul’s legacy is being continued by his family, Amy De Jong, Paula Rehder and Scott Johnson.
Timeline
Application opens: July 22, 2026
Application due: August 19, 2026
Awards made by: October 8, 2026
Previous awards
2020 Grant Recipients (Special COVID-Response Grant)
Questions?
Contact:
Sarah Scheffert, Communications & Community Vitality Specialist
Phone: 507-214-7015
Email: sarahs@smifoundation.org
Donor Spotlight: Paul Johnson and his family
“Given his philanthropic experiences, objectives and priorities, SMIF was a perfect partner and he was very proud to be a part of this innovative program. We, as a family, share not only his experience growing up in rural southern Minnesota, but also his philanthropic vision, and we are thrilled to continue what he started and support this vision in partnership with SMIF.”
In 2021 Paul Johnson, who raised his family in southern Minnesota, gave SMIF a generous gift to support the Small Town Grant program. We were deeply saddened by the news of Paul’s unexpected death in October of 2021. His three children knew that Paul would have wanted to continue supporting this program, so they have worked with SMIF to leave a wonderful legacy in his memory. We are beyond grateful to Paul’s children for keeping southern Minnesota in their hearts during this difficult time.
Read this story, written by Paul’s children, to learn more about Paul and his philanthropic vision.
Small Town Grant Spotlights
Small Town Grant Spotlight: City of Kenyon
City of Kenyon uses a SMIF Small Town Grant to add two picnic shelters to park with help from volunteers.
Pedaling Toward Inclusion
A Great Day Farm used a Small Town Grant to launch a more coordinated and sustainable approach to adaptive cycling in the Dundas and Northfield areas.
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awards $200,000 in Small Town Grants
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved 23 grants totaling $200,000 to support small towns of 10,000 or less.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: Montgomery Arts and Heritage Center
In 2024, the Montgomery Arts and Heritage Center was awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to create a walking tour along their main street.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: Ellendale Area Heritage Society
In 2023, the Ellendale Area Heritage Society was awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant from SMIF to create an aluminum mural featuring the history of their town.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: Friends of Peterson
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to the Friends of Peterson in 2022. They wanted to create a bare foot trail for people to walk and use as a sensory path for community members and visitors alike.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: Hayfield Economic Development Authority
SMIF awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to the City of Hayfield EDA to buy bikes and locks for residents to use, and to host a bike rodeo for youth and adults.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: The City of Fairmont
In August of 2022, the city of Fairmont was awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant from SMIF for a project called “Fairmont Area Life”. This grant was used to create a campaign to focus on all things positive about Fairmont.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: The City of Lafayette
In 2022, SMIF awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to the City of Lafayette to update their bandstand and park.
Small Town Grant Spotlight: Fairmont Opera House
In 2022, SMIF awarded a $10,000 Small Town Grant to the Fairmont Opera House. These funds were used to help put on multiple events on their stage focusing on diversity and highlighting underrepresented communities.
SMIF awards $206,000 in Small Town Grants
The recent approval of 23 grants has pushed the total of Small Town Grants awarded beyond 100 for a total of 113 projects since the program began. Through this program, SMIF has invested a total of $972,490 in the small towns of our region.
Weaving together resources for long-term impact
The town of Spring Grove in Houston County has taken full advantage of SMIF’s grants and programming over the years. Courtney Bergey Swanson and Rebecca Charles, both CEDA employees, shared how support from SMIF has made a difference in the community vitality and economic growth of the small town.
Donor spotlight: Paul Johnson and his family
Paul Johnson made southern Minnesota's smallest a communities a focus of his philanthropic goals. His three children are now carrying his legacy forward by supporting SMIF's Small Town Grant program.
Celebrating Diversity In A Small Town
St. James, Watonwan County Feature Image: Members of Uniting Cultures/Uniendo Culturas: Sue Harris, [...]
