Southwest Initiative Foundation

10/16/2026

🌱 Every community has assets. The challenge is learning to recognize them, connect them, and build on them.

During our latest Growing Local: Emerging Leaders session, participants explored the Community Capitals Framework and considered the many strengths that help communities thrive, from social connections and local leadership to natural, cultural, and economic resources.

The group also practiced storytelling and listening skills through a partner exercise. Participants shared stories about their communities, listened closely to one another, and then challenged themselves to retell what they had heard to a new partner. Along the way, they reflected on their own conflict tendencies, learned to recognize different conflict styles, and built skills for working more effectively with others.

A fitting setting for the day: the session was hosted at a community space in Wanda renovated by Growing Local alum Samantha Prechel, a reminder that leadership development often creates ripple effects that extend far beyond the program itself.

Learn more about Samantha's project to restore and reconnect: https://firstwoman.org/grant-recipient/

10/15/2026

Our Willmar-area partners are bringing people together for an important community conversation. Check out the details below and consider joining them!

Willmar area: What does being a Minnesota neighbor mean to you?

Join us on 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟳, for an afternoon of honest conversation to help us create opportunities for all Minnesotans to be better neighbors and build stronger communities.

We're excited to partner with the City of Willmar, Minnesota, Willmar Area Community Foundation, Willmar Lakes Area Vision 2040 and Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce on this listening session, supporting their efforts to engage the residents of Willmar and foster a thriving community.

For more information and to register, visit https://brnw.ch/21x6lAr. The registration deadline is October 20.

Unable to attend in person? You can still share your view through our online survey: https://brnw.ch/21x6lAq

10/15/2026

Join local leaders, nonprofit staff, community organizations, and residents for a free regional event featuring the latest data and trends on workforce, housing, health, and economic conditions across our region.

🗓 Thursday, November 5
🕐 1 to 4 p.m.
📍 Willmar Conference Center
🍽 Free event and meal included

Attendees will also have the opportunity to share local perspectives, network with others, and participate in hands-on data training.

Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southwest-roadshow-willmar-tickets-1999297509671

The Southwest Roadshow in Willmar is hosted by Minnesota Compass and sponsored by SWIF.

10/14/2026

What happens after high school for students in Southwest Minnesota, and what do those choices mean for the future of our communities and workforce?

Join the Center for Rural Policy and Development: Pathways After High School for an engaging discussion of new research examining the educational and career pathways Greater Minnesota students take after graduation. These events will explore what the data tells us about workforce development, talent retention, and how communities can support young people as they build their futures. The conversations will include a closer look at findings specific to our region.

📍 Hutchinson
November 10, 1-3 p.m.
Ridgewater College

📍 Worthington
November 12, 1-3 p.m.
Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Registration is free and open to the public. Educators, employers, community leaders, policymakers, student advocates, and anyone interested in the future of rural Minnesota are encouraged to attend.

Learn more and register: www.ruralmn.org/events

10/07/2026

Please join us in welcoming Lynda Duncan, Loan Portfolio Specialist, and Jazmine Flores, Commercial Loan Officer, to our economic development team!

“Having worked more than 16 years in nonprofit and CDFI mission-driven lending, I’m excited to join SWIF and continue my passion for providing support to underserved communities.” ~ Lynda

“I’ve always loved helping people and businesses grow, and SWIF gives me the opportunity to do that in an even bigger way. To me, it’s banking that makes a difference and has a soul.” ~ Jazmine

We’re excited for the experience, perspective and commitment to rural communities they bring to our work.

🔗 Get to know Lynda and Jazmine: https://swifoundation.org/two-new-staff-join-business-lending-team/

10/02/2026

For more than two decades, every cohort of the MARL Program has benefited from SWIF's investment in people. Today, nearly 400 Minnesotans have taken part in MARL, building the skills, confidence and connections to make a difference in agriculture and rural communities.

In our latest 40th anniversary story submission, MARL Executive Director Brad Schloesser reflects on that shared commitment and highlights how members of the program’s recent class are putting leadership into action across Southwest Minnesota.

Read the story and meet some of the leaders making a difference:
https://swifoundation.org/investing-in-people-marl-program-of-smsu/

09/29/2026

☕ Grab your cup of coffee: We've got a great story for you!

Five months after opening its doors, The Gathering Grounds in Buffalo Lake is hopping.

What started as a late-night idea from community champion Deb Deal has become a busy gathering place where neighbors connect over breakfast, lunch, coffee, cards, and conversation.

"The community support has just been overwhelming," Deb said.

She especially enjoys seeing people who don't often cross paths during the week stop in on Saturday mornings.

"It's a way of meeting your neighbors."

From fresh-baked rolls and scones prepared before sunrise to volunteers serving customers throughout the day, this nonprofit coffee shop is a true community effort.

And according to Deb?

"It's going really well. It's my new happy place."

We're proud that a grant from SWIF's Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Fund Endowment helped bring this community vision to life.

09/28/2026

💓For the Love of Rural: Pipestone Area Community Foundation

Since 1999, the Pipestone Area Community Foundation (PACF) has connected local generosity with community needs and opportunities. One of its recent milestones was the opening of the Schroeder Center.

In this video, community leaders reflect on the journey to create the Schroeder Center, a shared home for the local senior center and food shelf. When plans for the facility were taking shape, local leaders knew the need was real. What they didn’t know was how they would raise the funds to make it happen.

Through community support, donor generosity, and countless partners working together, that vision became a reality. Today, the Schroeder Center provides a welcoming space where seniors can gather and a home for the community’s food shelf.

The Pipestone Area Community Foundation (PACF) was established in 1999 as an affiliate fund partner of Southwest Initiative Foundation to connect resources to build a stronger Pipestone community. PACF supports the community as a whole by responding and supporting its changing needs and opportunitie...

09/25/2026

Opportunities to explore careers in Southwest Minnesota help students see their future in our region. 🔍

We’re proud to support the Southwest Minnesota Career Expo, IGNITE Your Future, and regional conversations around Pathways After High School research from Center for Rural Policy and Development this fall.

Together, these efforts help young people explore career possibilities while connecting educators, employers, and community partners around the pathways from high school to education, training, and careers.

Thanks to the many businesses, organizations, schools, and volunteers who make these opportunities possible and help strengthen our region’s future workforce!

📷 Students exploring careers at the Southwest Minnesota Career Expo in Worthington. SWWC Service Cooperative

09/24/2026

Join Minnesota Public Radio's Kerri Miller and fellow community members for a discussion about housing and its connection to workforce attraction, retention, and economic development in Southwest Minnesota.

Whether you're involved in housing, business, community leadership, or simply care about the future of rural communities, we hope you'll be part of the conversation.

🗓 Tuesday, October 6
📍 The Upper Room, Marshall
🕔 Doors open at 5 p.m.
🕕 Conversation begins at 6 p.m.
✅ Free and open to the public

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/housing-a-town-hall-with-rural-voice-moderated-by-mprs-kerri-miller-tickets-1996062774491