Community Development · HUTCHINSON, MN · EIN 41-1555592
About
Southwest initiative foundation (SWIF) is a nonprofit community foundation connecting people, investing in ideas and building communities to create a southwest minnesota where ALL people thrive. Since its founding in 1986, SWIF has distributed more than $115 million through its grantmaking and business finance programs. A talented team of staff and dedicated board members work alongside our partners, donors and community leaders on projects and programs that directly support our mission. From the beginning, we have focused on social and economic growth in southwest minnesota. The 18 counties and two native nations we CALL home are continuously evolving, and SWIF has grown and responded to our region's changing needs. Our work CAN LOOK different from one program, partnership or place to another. Our organizational values of equity, integrity, curiosity, collaboration and optimism guide our work and ensure we bring the same care and commitment to every interaction. SWIF is uniquely positioned to provide regional leadership, offering a trusted perspective that CAN unite efforts and leaders throughout southwest minnesota. As an independent community foundation, SWIF carries a long-term commitment to the region and CAN leverage outside funding and expertise. SWIF also has a DEEP history of bringing people together from ALL sectors to explore and implement local solutions. SWIF's original mission was to strengthen southwest minnesota in three ways: improving the region's economic self-reliance, overcoming human distress and promoting regional leadership, coordination and partnerships. We continue to address these broad areas and serve as a partner through business finance and economic development, grantmaking and community programming, and community giving and philanthropy. The lasting outcome of our work is economic mobility, for ALL people in southwest minnesota to attain a reasonable standard of living, experience the dignity that comes from having power and autonomy over their lives and be engaged in and valued by their community.