2022 Initiative Foundation Impact Report

Building & Belonging

Dear Friends,

Building the economy and creating community belonging has been central to the Initiative Foundation’s work since its founding in 1986. Through its programs and services, the Initiative Foundation is championing economic and community initiatives in its mission to bring greater prosperity for all Central Minnesotans.

Building and belonging: It’s at the heart of the Initiative Foundation’s work in 2022, when it delivered $9.5 million via 832 grants to support nonprofits, schools, local units of government, and to fortify businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. When combined with the $1.7 million in grants awarded by the Foundation’s 130 hosted Partner Funds, grantmaking in Central Minnesota reached $11.2 million. A theme of building and belonging also is present in our 2022 lending initiatives, which drove $3.7 million into the region and leveraged $45 million in outside investments to support 39 economy-enriching businesses.

While it’s hard to sift through the year’s grants and loans and select notables, the following investments showcase to me the community-building power of partner-driven work in the region:

• Transformative Funding for Nonprofits: Supported by a generous grant from the Otto Bremer Trust, the Initiative Foundation decided to go big by delivering more than $1 million in high-impact grants to 15 nonprofits. One of these grantees, Big Lake Community Food Shelf, received $55,000 to renovate and add space for volunteers and clients. With these updates, including the addition of an outdoor walk-in freezer and cooler unit, the organization is now able to support a 25 percent increase in clients. That means better food and a richer, more dignified experience for those who need it most.

• Growing Together: When Jon Friesner of Emily joined the 2020-2021 cohort of the Initiators Fellowship, a two-year program with a suite of supports for high-potential social entrepreneurs, he had sold just two of his selfcontained GroShed farms. By the end of his term, and with 2022 Initiative Foundation lending support, sales of the hydroponic units that provide yearround opportunities to grow fresh produce had soared by 1,400 percent. “The financial support … provided me and the GroShed team with the perfect environment to grow our vision and incubate even bigger ideas,” Friesner said.

As chair of the Initiative Foundation’s Board of Trustees, I present the 2022 Impact Report. In the full online version at ifound.org/annual-reports, you can read about funding for regional clean energy work, and how the Foundation forged a fast and meaning partnership when the Randall area experienced historic flooding. You’ll also learn about Family Pathways and its work to meet the needs of food-insecure people and a culturally aligned mental health clinic in St. Cloud that supports the needs of Eastern African communities.

From all of us at the Initiative Foundation, thank you for your support and partnership. Working together, we’re building communities and creating a culture of belonging, and we couldn’t do it without you!

FAST FACTS

$ 11.2M in Total Grantmaking to 1,279 Nonprofits, Businesses* and Local Units of Government

THE GRANTMAKING EFFORT INCLUDES:

$ 1.7M Through 447 Grants

Delivered by 130 Hosted Partner Funds

$ 1M+ in Transformative Funding Grants to 15 Nonprofits

$ 45M in Outside Capital Leveraged Through 39 Loans Totaling $3.7 Million

410 Nonprofit Board and Staff Trained

Kim Ellingson Chair, Initiative Foundation Board of Trustees

400+ Entrepreneurs Trained

*While for-profit businesses typically are not eligible to receive grants, the pandemic and its aftermath created conditions in which charitable funds can be used to support economic recovery.

On the cover:

Top: Adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities play ball at Confidence Learning Center in Brainerd. Middle, far left: St. Cloud Enterprise Academy graduates learned business-building skills. Middle, far right: Volunteers erect a wall at Homeless Helping Homeless in St. Cloud. Middle left: Leech Lake Housing Authority staff are working to create pathways to housing stability on Native lands. Bottom: Initiative Foundation staff and community members clean up after a June flood damaged homes and businesses in Randall.

Our Numbers

INVESTING IN REGIONAL PROSPERITY

Powered by local generosity, the Initiative Foundation’s programs and services invested in Central Minnesota by ...

Providing loans to businesses that create quality jobs

Awarding grants to nonprofits, governments and schools

Building public-private partnerships that lead to action

Serving as a resource magnet and funding advocate for our region

Helping generous people give back to their communities

Publishing information on local trends and solutions.

2022 Expenditures

Thanks to donor support, the Initiative Foundation disbursed $16,199,036 throughout the region, including:

• $11,483,289 in grants, scholarships and fellowships

• $2,829,446 in capacity-building, programming and training

Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships ($11,483,289)

Programming, Training ($2,829,446)

Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships

Capacity-Building Programs, Training

New Loans

An additional $3.7 million was disbursed in the form of new loans.

($1,459,350)

($1,214,525)

Our Mission

To empower people throughout Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity.

Economy

Kevin Doyle launched St. Joseph’s Forest Mushrooms in the early 1980s. It’s grown to be the largest specialty mushroom farm in the Midwest—with $5 million in annual sales and 15 full-time employees in 2022. Doyle credits several loans from the Initiative Foundation for keeping his business operating during the early years.

Community

Hilltop Regional Kitchen in Eagle Bend has received past Initiative Foundation grants to repurpose the former Eagle Bend High School where it prepares meals for statewide delivery to seniors and shut-ins. Now, Verna Toenyan (pictured), Todd County aging coordinator, and a team of volunteers are being supported by an Initiative Foundation grant to transform a wing of the school into senior living space.

Generosity

Children experienced fear, anxiety and isolation during the height of the pandemic. Staff at Yes Network in St. Cloud recognized the need and introduced HuddLUp International in more than 80 classrooms across Stearns County. HuddLUp promotes play, self awareness and relationshipbuilding. The Patrick & Jane Mitchell Family Fund, an Initiative Foundation donor-advised fund, has supported Yes Network initiatives since 2016.

Our Vision

THRIVING ECONOMY VIBRANT COMMUNITY LASTING CULTURE OF GENEROSITY

ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUPPORT: Foster growth and sustainability of businesses by providing training, financing and technical assistance, with an emphasis on underserved communities and social enterprise ventures.

WORKFORCE, CAREER DEVELOPMENT: Tap under-utilized pools of talent at all points in people’s careers and support career exploration and skill development in highdemand fields.

CHILDCARE AVAILABILITY: Coordinate and innovate with partners to support quality, affordable and accessible child care.

NONPROFIT CAPACITY BUILDING: Provide training, connections and support to nonprofit organizations and Partner Fund volunteers to enhance their impact throughout our region.

NONPROFIT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT INNOVATION: Use training, technical assistance and grant funding to support early-stage projects that strengthen communities.

WORKPLACE BEST PRACTICES: Model best practices through our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and by creating an organizational culture that supports workplace wellbeing and operational excellence.

ENDOWMENTS & LEGACY GIVING: Grow endowments and legacy gifts through long-term relationships with generous donors and institutional funders.

PARTNER FUNDS:

Refine and promote the Foundation’s unique Partner Fund value proposition to address unmet community needs and achieve lasting growth.

INTEGRATED IMPACT: Multiply impact by building connections across the Foundation’s programming and functions, and by exploring expansion into emerging opportunity areas.

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES

• Business Financing and Technical Assistance

• Enterprise Academy

• Career Exploration, Workforce Development

• Initiators Fellowship

• Child Care Solutions

• Disaster Response

• Energy Transition

• Grants

• Nonprofit Development

• Community Builders Circle

• Donor Services

• Hosted Partner Funds

• Planned Giving

The Initiative Foundation’s 14-county service area includes Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright counties and portions of the sovereign Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe.

Annie Meyer and Adrienne Donnel opened Arroy in 2022, thanks to an Initiative Foundation loan.

Photo courtesy of: Oh Snappy Days

The Brainerd Family YMCA received Initiative Foundation support to develop a childcare center.

Our Supporters

2022 Initiative Foundation Program & Endowment Contributors

Your support secures our long-term success. A gift to the Initiative Foundation provides resources each year for staff to work with local leaders. The investments spark economic development initiatives, help businesses get started or expand, provide workforce and leadership skills, and support childcare initiatives that help communities thrive.

President: $50,000+

Bush Foundation

Community Development

Financial Institutions Fund

Falcon National Bank

The Funders Network

Granite Partners, LLC

McKnight Foundation

Minnesota Council on Foundations SERVICE Fund

Minnesota Department of Education, Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

Otto Bremer Trust

Sourcewell

U.S. Small Business Administration

Executive: $30,000+

Center for Disaster Philanthropy

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Southwest Initiative Foundation

West Central Initiative

Foundation

Leader: $15,000+

Cass County

Wells Fargo Foundation

Director: $9,000+

John E. Babcock

Crow Wing County

East Central Energy Schlagel, Inc.

Stearns Bank NA

Stearns County

U.S. Bank

Wright County

Associate: $6,000+

Bremer Bank

Compeer Financial

Connexus Energy

Isanti County

Morrison County

Pine County Todd County

Entrepreneur: $3,000+

Anderson Brothers

Construction Company

Benton County

Chisago County

City of Baxter

City of Becker

City of Brainerd

City of Elk River

City of Little Falls

City of Milaca

City of St. Cloud

City of Wadena

Clow Stamping Company

Consolidated

Telecommunications Company

Crow Wing Power

DeZURIK, Inc

First National Bank of Milaca

McDowall Company

Microbiologics, Inc.

Mille Lacs County

Rotochopper, Inc.

John & Bonnie Schlagel

Sherburne County

St. Cloud Hospital/CentraCare

Health Systems

Stearns Electric Association

Matt & Maggie Varilek

Investor: $1,000+

Allina Health - Buffalo Hospital

American Heritage National Bank

American National Bank of Minnesota

Anderson Family Legacy Foundation Agency

Arvig Communication Systems

BankVista

Bell Bank

Benefit Innovations

Kristi Westbrock & Mike

Bjerkness

Brenny Transportation

Michael & Kathleen Burton

Lynn & Darren Bushinger

Cambridge Medical Center on behalf of Allina Health System

Central McGowan, Inc.

Citizens State Bank of Waverly

City of Albertville

City of Big Lake

City of Cambridge

City of Clarissa

City of Crosslake

City of Eden Valley

City of Lake Shore

City of Long Prairie

City of Maple Lake

City of Melrose

City of Monticello

City of Mora

City of Nisswa

City of Pierz

City of Pine City

City of Princeton

City of Rockford

City of Sandstone

City of Sartell

City of Sauk Centre

City of Sauk Rapids

City of St. Joseph

City of St. Michael

City of Staples

City of Waite Park

CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, Northern Minnesota

Joseph Nayquonabe & Christina

Clitso-Nayquonabe

Dick & Mimi Bitzan Family

Fund of Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Linda Eich DesJardins & Joseph

DesJardins

Kim & David Ellingson

Don & Deanna Engen

Falcon National Bank

Farmers & Merchants State Bank Charitable Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation

First Bank & Trust

First National Bank North

First State Bank of Wyoming

First Western Bank & Trust

Frandsen Bank & Trust

Kathy & Neal Gaalswyk

Harvest Bank

Teri & Tom Hoggarth

Dr. Kenneth & Linda Holmen

IPEX, Inc.

Kanabec County

Don Hickman & Sandra Kaplan

Larry & Jo Korf

Little Falls Area Chamber of Commerce

Long Prairie Packing Company

Dr. Robbyn Wacker & Jani

Malkiewicz

Marco Technologies, LLC

MINPACK, Inc.

Monroy Law Office, PLLC

NOR-SON Construction

Susan & Robert Olson

Park Industries, Inc.

Pequot Tool & Manufacturing,

Inc.

Pine Country Bank

Rick and Helga Bauerly Foundation

RiverWood Banks

Robert Shadduck Family Fund of the Minneapolis Foundation

Schlenner Wenner & Co.

Brian Voerding & Mollee

Sheehan Voerding

Sherburne State Banks & Sentry

Banks

Dorothy & Mike Simpson

Kimberly & Denise Slipy

Rita & Everett Sobania

Charlotte Stephens

The Bank of Elk River

Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative

Ludmila Voelker

Wadena County

Wadena State Bank

Bernie Waldorf

West Central Telephone

Association

Western Bank

WiDSETH

Bobby & Carrie Willis

Wyoming Machine, Inc.

Friend: Up to $1,000

Doug & Candace Adams

Anderholm Consulting

Brett & Leah Anderson

Mary Anne & Donald Bennett

Jessy Beto

Jessica & Michael Bitz

Kathryn & Nathan Bjorge

Charles & Kathryn Black Lance

Rosemary Brabec

Dan & Marie Bullert

Paula & James Christensen

City of Aldrich

City of Backus

City of Belgrade

City of Bertha

City of Braham

City of Breezy Point

City of Brooten

City of Burtrum

City of Cass Lake

City of Clearwater

City of Cold Spring

City of Delano

City of Eagle Bend

City of East Gull Lake

City of Emily

City of Fifty Lakes

City of Foley

City of Freeport

City of Garrison

City of Genola

City of Grey Eagle

City of Hackensack

City of Hanover

City of Henriette

City of Hewitt

City of Holdingford

City of Howard Lake

City of Isanti

City of Isle

City of Jenkins

City of Kimball

Supporters with this symbol also are members of the Community Builders Circle. Members are businesses and individuals who contribute $1,000 or more per year to support the Initiative Foundation’s general endowment or programs. When you become a Community Builders Circle member, you widen the circle of the Initiative Foundation’s work, driving economic progress and community vitality in Central Minnesota.

Our Supporters

Friend: Up to $1,000 (continued)

City of Lastrup

City of Lindstrom

City of Longville

City of Manhattan Beach

City of Menahga

City of Montrose

City of Motley

City of Ogilvie

City of Otsego

City of Paynesville

City of Pease

City of Pequot Lakes

City of Pillager

City of Randall

City of Remer

City of Rice

City of Richmond

City of Riverton

City of Rockville

City of Royalton

City of Rush City

City of Sebeka

City of Swanville

City of Upsala

City of Verndale

City of Wahkon

City of Walker

City of Wyoming

City of Zimmerman

College of Saint Benedict

Coralee M. Fox

Santo Cruz

Edelweiss Cabinetry, Inc.

Kevin & Marybeth Egan

Tammy & Pete Filippi

Gentle Hands of Time, LLC

Ray & Gwynne Gildow

Harold K. Gramstad

Chris Fastner & Kathy Hakes-

Fastner

Bruce Hanson

Noel Harness

Brad & Christine Hoheisel

Linda Holliday

Heather Hoskins

Dickran Tashjian and Ann

Hulting Tashjian

Sally Ihne

Bill & Sarah Israelson

Janet and Tim Wensman

Family Fund of the Central Minnesota Community Foundation

Christine Metzo & Gareth

John

Ken & Lanie Klose

Georgia Kretschmar

Jeremy & Barb Larson

Laura Larson

Lee & Vicki Morgan Fund of The Dayton Foundation

LINDAR/Avantech

MaryAnn & Peter Lindell

Barbara & Steven Ludwig

Mateo Mackbee

Pamela Mahling

David C. Martens

Bob & Lisa McClintick

Sara McKeever

Michele & Zachary Miller

Joe Mulford

Dianne C. Tuff and Murdoch

Johnson

Julie & Kevin Nelson

Tim & Kelly Nelson

Carl & Jenny Newbanks

NextEra Energy, LLC

Allison & Pete Norgren

Robert & Marilyn Obermiller

Jeffrey Ohlmann

Angie Petersen

Melissa & Joe Peterson

Susan & Philip Prosapio

Donniel & Brian Robinson

Ron Elwood & Bonnie

Esposito Fund for the Public

Good

Kathy Rutz

Nancy Shallcross

Steve & Leila Shurts

Why I Give

The Initiative Foundation receives support from a host of donors to support its endowment and programs. We are thankful for every act of generosity.

Pat & Guy Spence

Martha & Robert Steele

Kasey & Jackie Stevens

Zach & Jessica Tabatt

Jerome & Roberta Takle

James M & Elizabeth Thares

Kerie & Jeff Thoma

Carrie & Tim Tripp

United Way of Central Minnesota

Greg & Karen Van Zuilen

Carie & Kelly Verley

Dan Weber

Wayne & Lori Wolden

Irene Wolf

My wife Bonnie and I started a donoradvised fund at the Initiative Foundation because we wanted to ensure that if our financial situation changed, we would still be able to make charitable donations. We knew the Initiative Foundation would do a great job and provide help when needed.

Schlagel

Grant Impacts

MICROENTERPRISE GRANT IMPACT

Diversifying the Fresh-food Supply Chain in Montrose

A short Minnesota growing season isn’t stopping Funwi Vitalis Tita and his wife, Jennet, from cultivating crops from Cameroon and other Central African countries. Through their Montrose-based business, Better Greens, the Titas supply fresh and frozen greens and vegetables to African communities in Minnesota and around the country. A microenterprise grant awarded by the Initiative Foundation in 2022 helped the Titas sustain their business through the pandemic and last summer’s drought.

ENERGY TRANSITION IMPACT TRANSFORMATIVE FUNDING GRANT IMPACT

Grants Drive EV Adoption, Exploration of Clean Energy Opportunities

Electric vehicles, or EVs, are gaining traction in Central Minnesota with support from the Initiative Foundation and several crucial partners, including the Morgan Family Foundation. A 2022 St. Cloud expo allowed visitors to test drive EVs and learn about local clean energy initiatives. The Initiative Foundation now has an EV charging station in its parking lot, and Becker Public School District has added a high-speed charging station with support from the Initiative Foundation, McKnight Foundation and Xcel Energy.

Family Pathways’ Mobile Food Pantry Takes Services on the Road

With nine food shelves scattered across five counties, staff at North Branch-based Family Pathways found during the pandemic that they still struggled to meet the needs of food-insecure individuals and families. Supported by a $55,000 grant through the Initiative Foundation’s Transformative Funding for Nonprofits program, the nonprofit added a mobile food pantry, popup food markets and doorstep delivery. A new cargo van will allow Family Pathways to better serve Mille Lacs County and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.

Grant Award Highlights

The Initiative Foundation and its hosted Partner Funds awarded more than $11.2 million to nonprofits and local units of government in 2022 through 1,279 grants. These grants supported mission-based work to close opportunity gaps and to increase the economic and social wellbeing of the region.

For a full list of grant awards, including Partner Funds, visit ifound.org/community/grants

Innovation Fund Grantees

• Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, St. Paul

• Anderson Center, St. Cloud

• Anna Marie’s Alliance, St. Cloud

• Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud

• Brainerd Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Education Association

• Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation

• Bridges of Hope, Brainerd

• Catholic Charities of the Diocese of St. Cloud

• CentraCare Health System, St. Cloud

• City of Crosslake

• Community Aid of Elk River

• Community Dental Care, Maplewood

• Community Grassroots Solutions, St. Cloud

• CommunityGiving, St. Cloud

• Eagle Bend Area Development Corporation

• East African Dream, Inc., St. Cloud

• Faith in Action for Cass County, Hackensack

• Faith in Action in Sherburne County, Becker

• Foster Advocates

• Friends of Career Solutions, St. Cloud

Stephanie Tita enjoys watermelon grown by Better Greens in Montrose.

Electric vehicles were on full display at a July 2022 St. Cloud expo.

Family Pathways volunteers Joan and Rodger Bostrom make deliveries to those who face food insecurity.

Grant Award Highlights

Innovation Fund Grantees (continued)

• Hands Across the World, St. Cloud

• HousingLink

• Jugaad Leadership Program, St. Cloud

• Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, St. Cloud

• Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, Brainerd

• Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

• Minnesota Council on Foundations

• My Neighbor to Love Coalition, Lake Shore

• Pregnancy and Life Resource Center, Long Prairie

• Reach Out and Read Minnesota

• Region Five Development Commission, Staples

• Sakan Community Resource, Inc.

• Someplace Safe, Wadena

• Sourcewell, Staples

• Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

• Sprout, Little Falls

• St. Cloud State University Foundation, Inc.

• The Funders Network

• Too Much Talent, St. Cloud

• True Friends, Annandale

• Tusen Tack, Braham

• United Way of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud

• Wadena Development Authority

• Wright County Community Action, Inc., Maple Lake

• Yes Network, St. Cloud

SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF GRANTS

In 2022, the Initiative Foundation awarded $8.8 MILLION IN GRANTS to 733 BUSINESSES affected by the pandemic. The grants were supported by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

MICROENTERPRISE GRANTS

With support from the Otto Bremer Trust, the Initiative Foundation awarded 86 grants totaling $675,000 to Central Minnesota’s smallest businesses that did not receive other forms of pandemic-era support.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GRANTS

The Initiative Foundation was awarded a series of grants from the Minnesota Department of Education to support vulnerable children during the COVID pandemic. In 2022, the Foundation awarded 25 grants worth $83,500

TRANSFORMATIVE FUNDING FOR NONPROFITS GRANTEES

Thanks to a grant from the Otto Bremer Trust, the Initiative Foundation in a special grant round awarded more than $1 million to 15 nonprofits in 2022. The grants helped these Central Minnesota organizations transform the support they provide to underserved communities.

• Anishinabe Legal Services, Inc., serving the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Create Housing Education, Litigation Unit to Combat Homelessness)

• Big Lake Community Food Shelf, Inc., serving Sherburne County (Building Transformation, Service Expansion)

• Boys & Girls Club of the Leech Lake Area, serving the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Youth in Business)

• Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization, serving Stearns County (Build Capacity to Enhance Effectiveness and Service Delivery)

• Employment Enterprises, Inc., and Confidence Learning Center, serving Crow Wing and Morrison counties (Building Confidence and Employment Skills Together)

• Family Pathways, serving Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe/Mille Lacs County (Access to Healthy Foods in Rural Communities)

• Hands of Hope Resource Center, serving Todd County (Bilingual Advocacy Services)

• Higher Works Collaborative, serving St. Cloud (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Learning Center)

• Homeless Helping Homeless, serving St. Cloud (Lincoln Center Remodeling and Expansion)

• Lakes & Pines Community Action Council, Inc., serving Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties (Advocate-Client Coaching Model)

• Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity, serving the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (Leech Lake Tribal Workforce Housing)

• New Pathways, Inc., serving Isanti County (Sitebased Shelter Planning Project)

• North Star Family Advocacy Center, serving Pine County (Pine County Engagement of Services)

• Oasis Central Minnesota, serving Morrison County (Housing Support and Housing Stabilization Service Enrollment)

• Salem Lutheran Church, serving Crow Wing County (Improved Donation Storage and Processing)

Map courtesy of St. Cloud State University School of Public Affairs

Rallying Around Randall

A swift response helped to mitigate long-term consequences for people in the Randall, Minn., area following a June 2022 storm that dropped 12-plus inches of rain. The deluge caused the Little Elk River to overflow its banks, flooding homes and businesses. The Initiative Foundation worked with The Funders Network and its Philanthropic Preparedness, Resiliency and Emergency Partnership to spearhead comprehensive fundraising—ultimately attracting $123,500 from foundations, businesses and private donors. The funding was then awarded by a community-based team to help 40 homeowners and businesses recover from their losses.

“There has been a huge outpouring of support,” said Matt Pantzke, Randall city manager. “Randall’s slogan is ‘Little City with a Big Heart,’ and we absolutely have seen a lot of people with big hearts come out and do whatever they could to help out. Everyone has just been working together as a community to get back to where we need to be.”

Why it Matters: In rural areas in particular, disasters quickly leave the headlines—if they garner any media attention at all. The result: Affected homeowners, businesses and municipalities are left to fend for themselves in what can be a long and lonely road to recovery. By partnering with the Initiative Foundation during natural or man-made disasters, community leaders can get help to build a local coalition, gain tax-deductible fundraising support, and attract outside resources.

40 affected properties

dollars attracted, raised $123,500

Childcare Solutions

The Initiative Foundation continues to support innovative solutions to the childcare shortage. It is estimated anywhere from 15,400 to 17,000 Central Minnesota children and their families lack child care access, which inhibits development and school readiness and keeps parents from entering the workforce. Through its Childcare Solutions program, the Initiative Foundation continues to work with partners to develop solutions to the shortage.

2022 INITIATIVE FOUNDATION IMPACT

200-PLUS INDIVIDUALS

earned certificates or degrees in partnership with three area colleges

4 COUNTIES completed strategic plans to add childcare slots

4 CENTERS opened or are in the process of opening to support area families

Nonprofit Development Impact

The Initiative Foundation partners with nonprofits across Central Minnesota to deliver quality programming. Training sessions help nonprofit leaders improve their fiscal health and management practices, increase the quantity and improve the quality of services, and strengthen operations.

In 2022, 32 nonprofits* received training through Nonprofit Academy, Fundraising School and Executive Roundtable.

EXECUTIVE ROUNDTABLE:

Executive directors from six nonprofits participated in Executive Roundtable, a cohort-based leadership program.

FUNDRAISING SCHOOL:

Staff and board members from 12 organizations participated in Fundraising School sessions where they created fundraising plans and learned how to inspire, engage and retain prospective donors.

NONPROFIT ACADEMY—CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:

Staff and board members from 12 organizations participated in Continuous Improvement. The six-session program introduced participants to process improvement concepts to be applied to their organizations.

NONPROFIT ACADEMY—VIBRANT AND EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES:

Five organizations led by and serving BIPOC communities in the St. Cloud area participated in the Vibrant and Equitable Communities program. Participants were offered business and organizational training and received customized consulting. Each organization that completed the training received a $10,000 grant.

• ACER, Inc., Brooklyn Park

• African Development Center, Minneapolis

• Be A Pal, Brainerd

• Brainerd Baxter Youth Center, Brainerd

• Bridges of Hope, Brainerd

• Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization, St. Cloud

• Common Goods, Baxter

• D Blake Center, St. Cloud

• Ellison Center, St. Cloud

• Employment Enterprises, Inc., Little Falls

• Friends of Linden Hill, Inc., Little Falls

• Hands of Hope Resource Center, Inc., Little Falls

• Higher Works Collaborative, St. Cloud

• Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library, Crosby

• Jugaad Leadership Program, St. Cloud

• Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity, Brainerd

• Main Street Family Services, Elk River

• Minnesota Fishing Museum, Little Falls

• Morrison County Animal Humane Society, Little Falls

• Mounted Eagles, Inc., Brainerd

• New Pathways, Inc., Cambridge

• Oasis Central Minnesota, Inc., Little Falls

• Pohl Children’s Scholarship Foundation, Baxter

• Promise Neighborhood of Central Minnesota, St. Cloud

• Salem WEST, Deerwood

• The Optimist, St. Michael

• The Outreach Program of Brainerd Lakes, Nisswa

• The Rising Phoenix

• Too Much Talent

• Tusen Tack

• Wellness in the Woods

• WonderTrek Children’s Museum

Staff and board members from five BIPOC-led and serving organizations participated in the Vibrant and Equitable Communities program. * Several organizations participated in multiple trainings.

Our Partner Funds

In 2022, the Foundation hosted 130 Partner Funds with a value of $25.5 million. These funds awarded $1.7 million through 447 grants. Creating a Partner Fund allows donors to focus on local charitable needs while leaving administrative tasks to the Foundation.

LEGACY OF JIM KURPIUS CONTINUES TO GROW

Although Jim Kurpius lived in California for much of his career, he always had a soft spot for Central Minnesota—traveling back to his hometown of Staples as often as possible. Leaving a legacy was also important to Jim, who established the Tracy and Julius Kurpius Fund for the Living Legacy Gardens in Staples to honor his parents. He also partnered with the Initiative Foundation to create the James & Susan Kurpius Fund for the Staples-Motley Dollars for Scholars. Jim Kurpius passed away in March 2022, but the funds will ensure that his good deeds will endure well into the future.

AGENCY FUNDS

• Big Birch Lake Endowment Fund

• Big Fish Lake Association Emergency Fund

• Brainerd Public Schools Foundation Early Childhood Fund

• Bridges Manufacturing Workforce Development Fund

• Conservancy Endowment Fund of the Northern Waters Land Trust

• Conservancy Fund of Big Fish Lake

• Conservancy Fund of Roosevelt and Lawrence Area Lakes Association

• Conservancy Fund of the Rice Lake Association

• Conserved Property Stewardship Fund of the Northern Waters Land Trust

• Darling Church Memorial Fund

• EAA Chapter 551 Fund

• Early Childhood Partnership for Isanti County Fund

• Fish Trap Lake Endowment Fund

• Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge Fund

• Gull Chain Preservation Endowment Fund

• JFHML Endowment Fund*

• Jim & HK Stuart Memorial Fund

• Land and Waters Preservation Trust

• Legal Defense Fund of the Northern Waters Land Trust

• Minnesota Pioneer Park Endowment Fund

• Morrison County Food Shelf Fund

• Onamia Early Childhood Endowment Fund

• Operational Reserve Fund of the Northern Waters Land Trust

• Partnership in Life Fund (Horizon Health)

• Paws and Claws Animal Shelter

• Sacred Heart Area School Endowment Fund

• Salem Lutheran Church Outreach Foundation

• Thrive Fund

• Wadena City Library Endowment

• Wright County Historical Society Fund

BUSINESS LOAN FUNDS

• Todd-Wadena Economic Development Loan Fund

• Menahga Economic Development Loan Fund

• Princeton Economic Development Loan Fund

COMMUNITY FUNDS

• Black Oak Getty Community Foundation

• Cambridge Area Community Foundation

• Cambridge Area Economic Development Fund

• Delano Area Community Foundation

• Greater Pequot Lakes Community Foundation

• Greater Pine Area Endowment

• Hackensack Lakes Area Community Foundation

• Longville Area Community Foundation

• Mille Lacs Area Community Foundation

• Morrison County Area Foundation

• Rum River Community Foundation

• Staples Motley Area Community Foundation

• Three Rivers Community Foundation

DESIGNATED FUNDS

• CWEPA

• Ellen McGregor Endowment for Education*

• Hanowski Family Fund

• Julius and Tracy Kurpius Fund

• Lake Region Conservation Club

• Mark Wood Foundation

• Scott & Jane Stuart Memorial Park Fund

• Skolmate Fund for the Welfare of Animals

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS

• Anderson Brothers Family Fund

• Artesian Homes Charitable Fund

• Betty and Larry Nelson Family Fund

• Bob and Marsha Bunger Family Endowment Fund

• Bruce and Diane Gohman Fund

• Central Minnesota Builder’s Association Fund and Initiative

• Chuck Christian Community Spirit Fund

• Colette & Paul Cameron Donor

Advised Fund

• Corey Borg-Massanari Foundation

• Edeburn Family Fund

• Gaalswyk Family Fund

• Granite Partners Fund

• ILT Endowment Fund*

• James & Susan Kurpius Fund for the Staples-Motley Dollars for Scholars

• John and Bonnie Schlagel Endowment

DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS - CONTINUED

• Josh Richardson Family Fund

• Loren and Kathy Morey Family Fund

• Marie and David Fischer Family Charitable Fund

• Mel and Jeanette Beaudry Fund

• Nancy and Thomas Adams Family Charitable Fund

• Patrick and Jane Mitchell Family Fund

• Paula and Chad Becker Fund

• Playing it Forward: The Kenneth and Evelyn Pinckney Young Musicians’ Fund

• Prairie Lights: Pioneering Yesterday and Today

• Shawn Grittner Memorial Fund

• Stephens and Olson Family Fund*

• Teresa’s Stash Legacy Fund

EDUCATION FUNDS

• Albany Area Education Foundation

• Becker Education Foundation

• Bluejacket Education Foundation*

• Braham Area Education Foundation

• Cuyuna Lakes Education Foundation

• Lake Region Christian School Education Foundation

• Little Falls Education Foundation

• Patriot Foundation

• Pillager Education Foundation

• Royalton Education Foundation

• Sauk Rapids-Rice Education Foundation

FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS

• Childcare & Early Childhood Education Fund

• Early Childhood Fund for Morrison County

• Family Farm Fund

• Housing Fund of the Greater Mora Area

• Manufacturing Fund of Central Minnesota

• Memorial Hospital Foundation (Serving Greater Isanti County)

• The Initiators’ Fund

• The Lakes Area Medical Development Fund

• Women’s Leadership Fund

RELIEF FUNDS

• Cambridge Area Disaster Preparedness and Relief Fund

• Central Minnesota Emergency Relief and Recovery Fund

RELIEF FUNDS - CONTINUED

• Delano Area Emergency Fund

• Greater Todd County Disaster Recovery Fund*

• Randall Area Flood Recovery Fund*

SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS

• Alternative Sources of Energy Fund

• Archie and Isabelle Powell Family Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Bachman Engelking Scholarship Fund

• Bert and Helen LeBlanc Legacy Scholarship Fund

• Betty Ford Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Beverly M. Pantzke Scholarship Fund

• Bob Wright Memorial Scholarship Fund

• Dorn Family Fund

• Fregin Foundation

• H. Eugene Menzel Scholarship Fund

• Holdingford Scholarship Endowment

• Irene Myres Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund

• Little Falls Scholarship Fund

• Madden’s Pine Beach Scholarship Fund

• Mary Jean Tillman Healthcare Scholarship Fund

• Pillager Scholarship Fund

• Silver Lining Scholarship Fund

• Staples Knights of Columbus Council #1803-Lloyd & Marion Giddings Scholarship Fund

• The Bruske-Johnson Scholarship Fund

• Tollefson Scholarship

• William & Ethel Nelson Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship Fund

• ZES Scholarship Fund

SPECIAL PROJECTS

• National Loon Center Project Fund

• Sourcewell Region 5 COVID-19 Relief Fund

Photo: Jim’s brother DeWayne Kurpius and his wife, Elizabeth, enjoy the Living Legacy Gardens in Staples.

* Indicates newly created fund in 2022.

Business Financing

FORMER LUTHERAN CHURCH TRANSFORMED TO UNIQUE HOTEL IN CROSBY

During a 2018 trip to the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Trails, Stephanie and Edgar Morales fell in love with the landscape and people of Crosby. While looking for a small place for their family, the Twin Cities couple stumbled upon the former Emmanuel Lutheran Church and envisioned a boutiquestyle hotel among the dust and decay. Through their tireless work, and with help from an Initiative Foundation loan, The Sanctuary opened in June 2023. It features eight pet-friendly rooms, one of which is ADA-compliant, and can accommodate up to 21 guests. It also features several communal spaces where guests can share tales from their time on the trails.

AFFIRMATION THROUGH ART: LOAN HELPS HAGI-MOHAMED LAUNCH BUSINESS

Recognizing a community need, Anisa Hagi-Mohamed created Kalsooni, the first of-its-kind set of Somali-English affirmation cards. The cards have sayings like, “Noloshaadu waa muhiim” (Your life matters) and “Nabad iyo barwaaqo ayaan heystaa” (I have peace and prosperity). An Enterprise Academy graduate and Initiative Foundation loan client, Hagi-Mohamed wants her work to bring people together and to create change. She recently worked with Ali Aden, a fellow Enterprise Academy graduate, to decorate the walls of his St. Cloud-based Bridge Healing Center with affirming images and messaging where culturally aligned mental health and addiction services are provided.

Through partnerships with financial institutions, economic development organizations and local units of government, the Initiative Foundation supported 39 lending clients in 2022 with loans valued at $3.7 million. The effort leveraged $45 million in outside capital and contributed to job creation (105) and job retention (106). Several of the loans were awarded to graduates of the Foundation’s Enterprise Academy, a 12-week program for early-stage, underserved entrepreneurs.

• Amina Express, LLC, St. Cloud *

• Amy and Michael Larson, Pequot Lakes

• Anisa Hagi, LLC, St. Cloud *

• Arroy, St. Cloud

• Baby’s on Broadway, LLC, St. Cloud

• Backroad Meats, Inc., Milaca

• Bridge Healing Center, LLC, St. Cloud *

• Cat’s MN T’s, Inc., Brainerd

• Chevy’s Pit, LLC, St. Cloud *

• Cloud Property, LLC, St. Cloud

• Cozy Estates, LLC, Nisswa

• D.T.&M Property Management Corp., St. Cloud

• Dalal Logistics, LLC, St. Cloud *

• DRM Veterinary Group, LLC, Rice

• Groshed, LLC, Emily

• GTG Properties, LLC, North Branch

• HH Stables, LLC, Princeton

• Higher Works Collaborative, St. Cloud

• Holdingford Hardware, Inc., Holdingford

• Jules’ Bistro, St. Cloud

• K & R Retail Meats, LLC, Mora

• Karels Hardware Company, Isle

• Klar’s Cleaning & Restoration, LLC, Sandstone

• Lam’s Tax Service, St. Cloud *

• LBT Concrete, LLC, Royalton

• Little Falls Bowling Center

• MAC Delivery, Inc., St. Cloud *

• Midas Trucking, Inc., Foley

• Northern Edge Décor, Pequot Lakes

• Northern Oaks Events, LLC, Sauk Rapids

• Powerlodge – Miller Marine, Inc., St. Cloud

• Rizzy’s on the Lake, LLC, Osakis

• Savanna Prairie, Inc., Kimball

• Schneider Industries, LLC, Center City

• Selvin Merida, Staples

• Senor Elote Y Mas, LLC, Melrose

• Sota Car Wash, LLC, Monticello

• The Sanctuary, LLC, Crosby

• Walter Family Properties, LLC, Walker

* Enterprise Academy graduates

Edgar and Stephanie Morales opened The Sanctuary in Crosby in June 2023.

Anisa Hagi-Mohamed’s original artwork adorns the walls at Bridge Healing Center, St. Cloud.

Entrepreneurship Work

ENTERPRISE ACADEMY

The Entrepreneurship team delivered 2,000 hours of oneon-one assistance to more than 400 entrepreneurs in 2022.

The current cohort of eight social entrepreneurs were chosen from 53 counties and six Native nations of Greater Minnesota. SCAN to learn more

Graduates from the fall 2022 Mille Lac Tribal Economy Enterprise Academy cohort are developing and executing their plans—from a childcare business to a wellness clinic.

Eight Greater Minnesota social entrepreneurs started the two-year Initiators Fellowship in 2022. They include (left to right, back row) Kris Shelstad, Madison; Daniel Barrientez, Bemidji; Nora Hertel, St. Michael; Khalif Ahmed Bashir, Willmar; Alex Ostenson, Evansville; Fardowsa Iman, St. Cloud; (front row) Brenna Rollie, Fosston; and Noreen Thomas, Moorhead.

48 students from St. Cloud and the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy graduated from the Enterprise Academy program in 2022.

FOUNDATION STAFF

Doug Adams Business Finance Officer

Jessy Beto Program Specialist

Daniel Bullert Senior Business Finance Manager

Mike Burton External Relations Officer

Lynn Bushinger Chief Operations Officer, Treasurer

Brenda Gugglberger Fund Development Specialist

Don Hickman Vice President for Community & Workforce Development

Deb Kurowski Administrative Assisstant

Barb Larson Accounting Specialist

MaryAnn Lindell Director of Administration

Bob McClintick Marketing & Communications Director

Christine Metzo Initiators Fellowship Program Manager

Michele Miller Chief Financial Officer

Ismail Mohamed Enterprise Academy Program Officer

Carl Newbanks Director of Development

Allison Norgren Marketing & Communications Specialist

Mary Kaye Peterson Program Specialist for Entrepreneurship

Donniel Robinson Entrepreneurship Programs Officer

Kimberly Slipy Information Systems Administrator

Kasey Stevens Accountant

Zach Tabatt Community Philanthropy Manager

Board of Trustees

Kerie Thoma Community Philanthropy Program Specialist

Britt Vander Eyk Development Officer

Matt Varilek President

Carie Verley Finance Specialist

Brian Voerding Vice President for Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Courtney Wirz

Three Rivers Community Foundation Administrative Assistant

Kim Ellingson Board Chair Bremer Bank

Santo Cruz CentraCare Health

Julie Nelson Mayer, Porter & Nelson, LTD

David Monroy Board Vice Chair Monroy Law Office, PLLC

Teri Hoggarth Edward Jones

Tim Nelson Isanti County

Brett Anderson First National Bank of Milaca

Mateo Mackbee Krewe and Flour & Flower

Robbyn Wacker St. Cloud State University

Carrie Willis Granite Partners

Joe Mulford Pine Technical & Community College

Dan Weber Sherburne County

Jessica Bitz Falcon National Bank

Joe Nayquonabe Jr. Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures

Kristi Westbrock Consolidated Telecommunications Company

1) Too Much Talent staff participated in the 2022 Vibrant and Equitable Communities Cohort where they received business and organizational training and customized consulting.

2) Luke Becker coaches the NASA HUNCH Design and Supermileage teams at Braham High School. Much of the necessary equipment for these student-led challenges is funded by the Initiative Foundation-hosted Braham Area Education Foundation.

3) Initiators Fellow Nora Hertel visits Madison Mercantile, launched by Fellow Kris Shelstad. Madison Mercantile is a community gathering space, coffee house, art gallery, event space and more.

4) Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures has partnered with the Initiative Foundation on several projects to serve the Mille Lacs Tribal Economy. Pictured (left to right) are staff members Beth Gruber, Dustin Goslin and Joe Nayquonabe, Jr.

5) K & R Retail Meats in Mora is famous for its fresh and smoked meats. Through a partnership with the Initiative Foundation’s lending team, an employee was able to buy into the business. Pictured: Sara Grummons.

6) Verndale Area Christian Academy received relief funding from the Minnesota Department of Education, distributed by the Initiative Foundation. Pictured are staff members Kenny Kjeldergaard and Renee House.