As part of an effort to invest in economic growth within the region, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is offering $150,000 in incentive grants. Grants up to $20,000 are available to support collaborative projects or programs in emerging business and workforce areas. Pre-applications for this grant round are due March 1, with awards announced May 21.

“In our last two grant rounds, we’ve awarded a total of $147,500 in incentive grants to new projects related to our focus areas in business and workforce,” said Tim Penny, SMIF president. “These incentive grants are designed to support projects that involve collaboration and achieve sustainable measureable results.”  

SMIF is looking for grant applications which encourage new asset-based approaches that:

Engage immigrants in the workforce.

Engage elders in the workforce.

Strengthen career exploration.

Create entrepreneur success.

Grow biobusiness. 

Recent incentive grant projects included activities that supported wind and biofuel development, getting young people interested in careers and support of community entrepreneurs. For example, South Central College received a SMIF grant for a program that introduced kids to agribusiness, technology and potential careers. The Northfield Arts Guild received funding to position arts-focused entrepreneurs and attract travelers to their community. The Nature Conservancy was awarded a grant to determine how native grasses in Rice and Le Sueur counties can be efficiently harvested for biofuel.

For more details on incentive grants and the foundation’s work, visit www.smifoundation.org and click on “applications” or contact Suzy Meneguzzo, grants director, at suzym@smifoundation.org.