COMMUNITY

SOLVING THE CHILD CARE SHORTAGE Program Sets Building Blocks for Child Care Spots

It is estimated that up to 17,000 Central Minnesota children lack child care—a challenge that affects families, businesses, communities and, ultimately, the regional economy. The Initiative Foundation and its Child Care Solutions program are working to make a difference. Residents, employers and concerned citizens in St. Cloud, Long Prairie, Kanabec County, Morrison County, Brainerd/Baxter and Waverly are partnering with the Initiative Foundation, supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and First Children’s Finance, to find sustainable local solutions. “We know the answers will be different for each community, and we are committed to overcoming the obstacles that exist throughout Central Minnesota,” said Don Hickman, Initiative Foundation vice president for community and workforce development.

Generosity

GENEROSITY MADE EASY A Call, a Meeting, a Solution

Artesian Homes owners Ellen McGregor and Trish Danielowski wanted to increase their Baxter-area generosity. They just weren’t sure how to get it done. Their financial adviser reached out to the Initiative Foundation for guidance. “A call, a meeting and we had it in place,” Danielowski said. With the creation of the Initiative Foundation-hosted Artesian Homes Charitable Fund, McGregor and Danielowski created a win-win outcome: They gained a tax deduction and benefitted from a streamlined process for making meaningful local grants. Artesian Homes is one of 129 charitable funds managed by the Initiative Foundation. Also joining the Initiative Foundation family of funds in 2020 were the Colette & Paul Cameron Donor Advised Fund; the Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation; the Marie and David Fischer Family Charitable Fund; and Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals.

We have an abundance of talented people and job-creating enterprises that contribute to economic growth and vitality.