At Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) we know that growth comes from within. In all of our programming we aim to lift up the communities in our region by providing them with resources and a framework for success, but it is the people within our partner communities who ultimately create the future they want to see. As we seek to increase our involvement in small … [Read more...]

With the barrage of news these days from the ongoing fires and flooding in California to the terror attacks around the globe and of course the consistent thrum of politic divide, it is still important to sit back and reflect on what to be grateful for at this time of year. And, there is so much for which to be thankful for this year. For me, I’m thankful for my family, which … [Read more...]

Every October we hold what I consider to be Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s “family reunion.” The Foundation hosts its annual luncheon, and each year the SMIF Family keeps growing. In attendance are – the grandparents of SMIF, including some founding and early board members; cousins, such as our sister foundations and other area philanthropies; a few new kids, such … [Read more...]

As anyone who has chipped a tooth knows, dental issues are distracting. Imagine having to be in elementary school and embarrassed to smile for school photos, unable to enjoy snack time, and unable to concentrate in class because of untreated cavities. Unfortunately, this is the reality for too many kids. Dental caries, or cavities, are the leading chronic disease among … [Read more...]

In late July the Somali American Cultural Society of Owatonna (SACSO), was vandalized with spray paint and had a fire lit in front of its building. I was saddened by this senseless act of vandalism against SASCO which has been a reliable and valued Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grantee and client. Several years ago, SASCO was founded by Ibrahim Hussein to … [Read more...]

When people try to find Minnesota’s secret sauce to our high quality of life and seemingly common sense (comparatively speaking) approach to government, there’s sometimes mention of the Itasca Group. This is a group of top Minnesota business leaders who get together every Friday morning to discuss ways to collaborate and advocate for a stronger Minnesota. Itasca Group … [Read more...]

For the second year, Minnesota ranks first of the 25 largest states in the Kauffman Index for Main Street Entrepreneurship. We have the highest rate of business owners (7.75%), established small business density (687.2 small businesses per 1,000 firms) and business survival rate (50.75% that made it to at least five years in business). However, while we’re going great as a … [Read more...]

Whether you prefer small government or big government, perhaps the better conversation is around what smarter government could do. Smart government requires collaboration and a long-term vision. It helps when you can start from a place of shared interest. An op-ed in the Star Tribune on March 9 talked about ending the current “hodgepodge approach to early education in … [Read more...]

There’s a misconception that just because it’s winter, farmers aren’t busy. However, the off-season is when farmers are busy doing bookwork, making machinery repairs, selling and buying seed and laying the groundwork for a successful spring. Just like a farmer, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) has been working hard to bring a range of supports to its … [Read more...]

In a recent interview, I was asked to reflect on what it looks like for rural voices to “be heard”, which has been a big talking point during this last election cycle. I referenced an op-ed from a friend of mine, former Congressman Dick Swett of New Hampshire. He stated, “Don’t insist that everybody worship at the alter of global warming, just talk to them about common sense … [Read more...]

Last week Viet “Henry” Long stopped into Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation’s (SMIF) office. He was confused about a of couple checks he had received from the Foundation. They were not big checks, totaling only $2,500, but both were indeed for Henry, who co-owns Magic Ten Nails in Owatonna. Henry took over ownership after the 2010 floods, when the previous owner decided … [Read more...]

There are two numbers I’ve been reflecting on this month: $2.1 billion and $373.3 billion. One of these is the total amount raised by the Trump and Clinton campaigns in the last election cycle. One is the amount of charitable contributions during 2015, a record-setting year. Can you guess which is which? You may be surprised to learn that the smaller amount - $2.1 billion - … [Read more...]

By Tim Penny I’m sure many of you are eager to see the end of what has been one of the most vicious, divisive political campaigns in many decades. While the end is nearly in sight, it may be wishful thinking that the intense partisanship and division of last 18 months will disappear in the wake of November 8. I frequently urge audiences, particularly audiences of younger … [Read more...]

Yet again, summer went by too quickly. As backpacks are reloaded with new notebooks and pencils and kids don new school clothes and gym shoes, at Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), we’ve been seeing some older faces filing into classrooms. Caregiver education is the main goal of SMIF’s Parenting Matters: A Workplace Education program, which began in 2012 and … [Read more...]