As part of its effort to invest in economic growth within the region, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation is offering $100,000 in incentive grants. Grants up to $20,000 are available to support collaborative projects or programs in early childhood and economic development areas. Applications for this grant round are due Aug. 30 with awards announced Oct. 28.

”We want to focus on very specific early childhood and economic development issues that we believe are critical to the long-term economic vitality of our region,” notes Tim Penny, president/CEO. “These incentive grants are designed to support projects that involve collaboration and achieve sustainable, measurable results.”

SMIF is looking for grant applications for new asset-based approaches on issues within our focus areas.

• Early childhood development and education

– Strengthen opportunities for young children to thrive

• Economic development

– Strengthen opportunities and partnerships to grow local entrepreneurs

– Strengthen opportunities and partnerships to grown bioscience businesses

Fifteen incentive grants totaling $236,140 were awarded by SMIF in the past year. One $20,000 grant award to strengthen entrepreneurs was made to LA-MANO Inc. in Mankato, for the “Entrepreneur Doorway Project,” which links small business development service providers with diverse and immigrant populations.

SMIF incentive grant guidelines and application can be found at http://smifoundation.org/applications.php. For more information email Jennifer Heien, grants associate, at jenniferh@smifoundation.org; or call 507-455-3215.