At
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation we know that growth comes from within. In all of our programming we aim to lift up the communities in our region by providing them with resources and a framework for success, but it is the people within our partner communities who ultimately create the future they want to see.
As we seek to increase our involvement in small towns (populations of 5,000 or below), I am excited to see energy building around our new Rural Entrepreneurial Venture (REV) program. REV is a unique, long-term commitment that focuses on developing processes and systems for sustainable economic growth in rural communities. The goal is to energize entrepreneurs within small towns, and build systems that will transform the economy.
We hit the ground running at the beginning of the new year by reviewing economic trends from the past decade with each REV community: Blue Earth, Lake City, Lanesboro & Spring Valley, Le Sueur, and Spring Grove. There have already been rich discussions with each group as a result of this important first step. In order to create a sustainable plan for the future it is critical to review the opportunities that have led to successful environments for entrepreneurs in the past.
Obviously each town has a different set of strengths and challenges which is why the outcomes of REV will look different in each community. But it is our view that no one knows how to build a future better than the people who live and work in these communities.
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As Minnesota prepares to host the biggest game of the year, we want to take a moment to celebrate one of our own southern Minnesota entrepreneurs who will be featuring their product at the upcoming Super Bowl. Paula Trenda of
Curly Girlz Candy
in Owatonna will be bringing toffee and caramels to the big game.
Trenda applied to be a vendor through the
Super Bowl LII Business Connect
program which connects a diverse range of Minnesota businesses with contracting opportunities at the Super Bowl and related events. Curly Girlz Candy has donated more than 100 of the 2 ounce bags of their new no-sugar-added milk chocolate almond toffee to the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee to be included in gift baskets that will be delivered to the team owners, media, and other VIPs. “We are also an NFL Tailgate Party vendor and will be providing 3,000 pieces of our award-winning sea salt caramels for this event,” says Trenda. “We are really excited to get people from around the country to taste our fresh, local candies.”
Curly Girlz Candy is a Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) loan client and has been active in many of our programs for entrepreneurs.
Watch the video above to learn more about our local foods programming.
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Our commitment to early childhood
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Presidents of the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations recently announced renewed commitment to early childhood programming across Greater Minnesota.
“Our foundations have worked with numerous partners since 2003 to ensure every child in Greater Minnesota has the best opportunity to lead a healthy life of learning, achieving and succeeding,” said Tim Penny on behalf of the six regional community foundation leaders. “These young children are Greater Minnesota’s—and our nation’s—future. We need to continue to build on our progress and invest in this critical goal while exploring innovative strategies to grow our impact.”
At SMIF we invest $1.6 million annually by supporting local efforts to create and grow strong early childhood programs that provide a quality learning environment, achieve results, and have a positive impact on the children and families served.
As part of our commitment we continue to offer free quality child care training for family child care providers.
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As charities, CPAs, financial advisors and lawyers help donors navigate the changing tax landscape we need to keep in mind the reason people donate to our organizations. Donors want to have an impact on issues close to their heart. And charitable organizations are giving donors the opportunity to make a difference.There are donors who give to offset their tax burden, but many give because they are passionate about the cause and of course, because they were asked for their support.
This past year SMIF was humbled to support two donors who set up donor advised funds to benefit their local communities. As we move into 2018, donor advised funds will continue to be a tool supporters can use to receive a charitable deduction, if contributing more than the standard deduction allowed. A married couple can contribute years' worth of charitable giving into one year then disperse it out over successive years to their favorite charities.
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A variety of assets, such as cash or appreciated assets can be used to start a donor advised fund or add to an existing one.
For more information on planned giving or to set up a donor advised fund contact Jennifer Nelson, V.P. Development at
jennifern@smifoundation.org
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The Best Little Hair House, Albert Lea | Hair salon
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FEAST! Smart Start Grants: due May 15 (details coming soon)
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Dundas, March 1
Le Sueur, March 15
Albert Lea, March 22
Winona, April 16
St. James, April 26
Live in the area? Join us for free quality child care training sessions.
Register here.
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AmeriCorps LEAP applications for the 2018-2019 term will be opening soon! M
embers serve in preschool classrooms and nonprofit organizations focused on the social and emotional development of young children in our 20-county region.
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