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Investing In Our Youngest Generation

We believe that investing in our youngest generation is the smartest long-term investment in the future of our region. SMIF provides Early Childhood support through trainings and grants, investing over $1.5 million annually to support a variety of early childhood development projects and programs. We clearly see the connection between investing in our youngest children — to prepare them to be the workers, entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow — to our vision of economic prosperity and community vitality in this region.

Contact Heidi Coulter with any questions on resources at heidic@smifoundation.org.

Childcare is an economic driver for communities in greater Minnesota. When families can’t find childcare, they are unable to fully participate in the work-force and may eventually leave the area in pursuit of other opportunities. SMIF partners with First Children’s Finance, among other partners, to develop solutions to childcare challenges through a variety of programming, including Early Childhood trainings, community work and technical assistance.

To learn more about SMIF’s approaches to childcare solutions, click the button below.

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We know that the future of our next generation depends on the strength of our region’s early care providers. That is why SMIF is offering high quality trainings to early childhood education professionals throughout southern Minnesota.

Early Childhood training spotlight: New Ulm

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A variety of grants are offered throughout the year that support SMIF’s Early Childhood focus. The Early Literacy Grant program is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. The Early Care and Education Grant program helps fund early care and education services for children birth to age five. Additional grants related to early childhood may come up throughout the year. Keep an eye on our grants page for more details.

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Up to $15,000

Our Building Blocks Loans support the business of family childcare by providing financial resources and technical assistance to help expand or enhance licensed childcare businesses. All Building Blocks Loan recipients are eligible for free technical assistance.

Contact Marcia Haley, senior lending director at marciah@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7021 for more information.

 

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Host a childcare provider appreciation event sponsored by SMIF. We provide resources and funds for catering, giveaways, raffle prizes and more.

Read how New Prague Area Schools showed appreciation for their early childcare providers.

To learn more, contact Margaret Radel, Early Childhood project & grants coordinator, at margaretr@smifoundation.org or 507-214-7017.

 

SMIF partners with childcare resource providers from across our region. From trainings and grants to technical assistance and community consultations, these organizations have a ton to offer! Explore their websites to discover what resources could be helpful for you.

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Early Childhood Initiatives (ECIs) started as a program among all six Minnesota Initiative Foundations in 2003 with the goal of ensuring that every young child in Greater Minnesota has the best possible start toward a healthy life of learning, achieving and succeeding. SMIF facilitates community visioning sessions to ECIs in its region, then provides funding for project implementation. ECI communities are selected through an invitation-only application process. SMIF currently supports 25 ECIs.

ECI spotlight: Austin

Interested communities may contact Heidi Coulter, director of Early Childhood at heidic@smifoundation.org.