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Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation awarded 359.25 gallons of paint to 13 communities across its 20-county region through its Paint the Town Grant Program. This program is designed to engage volunteers and build collaborative efforts that beautify communities through painting community murals, community welcome signs, historic structures or public art.

The Paint the Town Grant is awarded to projects in communities of 10,000 or less that will have a visual impact, provide a public benefit to the community and involve volunteer participation.

Included in the 2025 grant award recipients was the Wells Public Library for four gallons for a children’s storybook mural.

The release stated 34 gallons were also awarded to Community and Economic Development Associates for barn quilts and beautification projects for Kiester’s 125th Celebration.

“Each year, I am delighted to see the creativity of small-town communities,” said Tim Penny, SMIF president and CEO. “It warms my heart to see people work together to enrich the places they call home.”

Since 1997, SMIF has helped distribute more than 11,314 gallons of paint to 337 projects in the region through various programs. The Paint the Town Grant program was officially launched in 2015.

For more information on SMIF’s grant programs, visit smifoundation.org/grants.