1. What is Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF)?

2. SMURFS

3. Rural Minnesota 1980’s

4. Six Minnesota Initiative Foundations - independent, nonprofit philanthropic organizations created by The McKnight Foundation in 1986 - work to make their regions stronger and more prosperous. To date, The McKnight Foundation has invested over $210 million in these foundations. New 5 year commitment of $1 Million per year

5. Our Southern Minnesota Community SMIF Region

6. Value  Invested over $34 million in region through loans and grants  Leverage $4 for every $1 in local contributions  Growing regional endowment fund - now over $25 million  $900,000 per year in grants and programs

7. Investments that break new ground

8. Vision  “ Southern Minnesota will be a prosperous and growing region with vibrant communities, innovative and successful businesses, and a skilled and valued workforce.

9. Mission  “ Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation invests in the region’s future growth through grants, loans, technical expertise and partnerships that foster community assets via workforce readiness and entrepreneurial activity - especially in areas of bio-medical, bio-agriculture and alternative energy.

10. Focus Areas  Plowing  Emerging Business  Planting  Early Childhood  Growing  Emerging Workforce

11. Tools  Convening / Conferences  Consult / Coordinate / Collaborate  Contributions / Grants & Loans  Conduit (donor partners)

12. Plowing New Ground

13. Emerging Business Innovative ventures, shaping our economy  Biobusiness  Entrepreneurs  Minority-Owned Business

14. Planting New Seeds

15. Early Childhood Initiatives  Town Meeting Initiative (TMI) (13)  Grants - $110,521  AmeriCorps – 25 members  IBM – $64,470  Coughlan Publishing - $103,720

16. Growing Our Workforce

17. Emerging Workforce Skilled workers, prepared to drive growth  Early Childhood Education  Experiential Career Education  Engaged Elders  New Immigrants

18. Emerging Workforce  Gaylord & Plainview Town Meeting Initiative  Seven Revolutions Grant – St. Peter  New $200,000 Grant RFP Future  Atlantic Philanthropies Partnership