Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Written By E1 - Entrepreneurs First

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is a regional development and philanthropic organization that fosters economic and opportunity vitality in 20 counties in southern Minnesota through a culture of collaboration and partnership. We envision a prosperous and growing region with vibrant communities, innovative and successful economies and engaged and valued citizens.

What SMIF offers the Ecosystem:

We strive to catalyze entrepreneurial activity through early-stage investments, traditional loans, technical assistance, mentoring and leadership training. We invest $5 million each year into the people, programs, organizations and communities we serve. We do this through grant making, lending, focused on childcare and business development. We intentionally seek out partnerships and collaborations, leverage resources, abilities and capacity.

SMIF's Contributions to the Launch Grant:

  • Convening and facilitation leadership

  • Investment dollars from debt financing to equity investments

  • Technical assistance to support ongoing learning

  • The Prosperity Initiative Framework - to accelerate minority owned businesses

  • Rural Entrepreneurial Ventures - a three-year systems based approach in 6 small towns to grow their local economy

  • Storytelling - communications

  • Peer Networks

  • Economic Development Impact Grants

  • SCORE

  • FEAST! Local Food Network

  • Entrepreneurial Bridge Event

  • Business Assessment Tools

  • Network connections

E1 - Entrepreneurs First
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