Your voice. Your story.
Every year, we share stories about people in our region who are doing incredible things for their communities. But last year was a different and difficult year for everyone. That is why, in this year’s impact report, it felt like the only way to truly understand how southern Minnesota was shaped by these unprecedented changes was to hear stories directly from southern Minnesotans themselves. So, we asked individuals to write their own stories, and we were delighted with their powerful responses.
The voices that are highlighted in this year’s impact report capture the ongoing growth, community togetherness and innovative spirit of our region that is always there, regardless of what is happening in the world.
Beth Fynbo’s story
Founder and CEO, Busy Baby (Oronoco)
Growing up, I always knew that someday I wanted to have my own business. After graduating from high school, I spent 10 years in the Army traveling the world, then found myself a corporate job. Finally, at the age of 40, I started a family and found my passion.
As a new mom, it didn’t take long before I had an idea for a product that would solve a problem I was having: the toy drop game that babies love to play. I came up with my flagship product, the Busy Baby Mat, a 100% food-grade silicone placemat that suctions to surfaces and allows caregivers to connect babies’ toys to a patented tether system so they can no longer be dropped and thrown.
Jenny Carrier’s story
Community Education Director, Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools
When I first came to Kasson-Mantorville Public Schools eight years ago, I knew I wanted to be a part of something great, something excellent. Our goal is always to set the foundation for children to be successful in school and in life.
In 2019, we knew our community was in need of more child care, so we applied for a $9,000 Child Care Expansion Grant from SMIF, who we had worked with for many years on other projects. We received the funding in February 2020 right before the major shutdown due to the pandemic.
Angel Uribe’s story
Owner, Stages of Change Center and SMIF Board of Trustees member (Eagle Lake)
My early childhood was, in a word, “chaotic.” The harmful effects of substance abuse on my family members was something that I witnessed regularly growing up. After working as a treatment counselor years later, I realized that most programming was not designed to intercede until clients’ lives had become unmanageable.
I decided to start my own business to bring resources and interventions to empower, motivate and strengthen individuals’ capacities toward self-correction. With no access to business financing, no prior business experience and Google as my first business coach, Stages of Change Center welcomed its first clients in 2011.
Mick McGuire and Liz Krocak’s story
President and vice president of Montgomery Community Foundation
I have always felt fortunate to have grown up in a rural Minnesota community. The importance of a healthy hometown is something I learned early on. As we go through life, we start thinking, “Is there something I can do to make this hometown an even better place?”
I felt that a Community Foundation would offer a great opportunity for people to give back to their hometown, either monetarily or through service.
Celebrating 35 years of investing in southern Minnesota
Did you know that SMIF has invested more than $136 million in its 20-county region since it began in 1986?
The Foundation has evolved over the past three decades, but it has always been a pillar of support for southern Minnesota. Learn more about SMIF’s history and some of its major milestones in this timeline.
SMIF’s COVID-19 Response
As the world grappled with the immediate fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, SMIF moved quickly to double down on supporting its region. SMIF partnered with many entities to provide relief to child care providers, businesses and communities, and continues to do so today.
Through these partnerships, and by leveraging resources, SMIF’s total impact in the region has exceeded $12.3 million.
Community Investment Map
July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021
Click on a symbol in the map to view SMIF’s impact over the past year. Each symbol represents a grant recipient, loan or equity client, or program participant. You can select which SMIF investments are visible on the map by clicking on the SMIF logo and checking the box for the item you want to see.
Support Southern Minnesota’s Future
Making a gift to SMIF’s general endowment supports southern Minnesota’s entrepreneurs, children and communities. Your generosity also supports our COVID-19 response efforts, including expenses related to the administration of these emergency funds and other essential resources.
Past Impact Reports
