Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

08/28/2026

Thank you, ABDO - A Family of Educational Publishers, for the wonderful tour! It was fun to see so many books, and as always, we appreciate your partnership and dedication to early literacy in our region!

08/27/2026

SMIF staff had a wonderful evening with good company and Benya's delicious Thai food!

08/27/2026

📰Benya Kraus, SMIF president and CEO, shares how capital projects — from increasing capacity in childcare spaces to creating community gathering spaces — help people in rural communities connect.

Read Benya's full August op-ed: https://smifoundation.org/blog/2026/08/benya-kraus-the-infrastructure-behind-rural-neighborliness/

08/25/2026

🍎Free training opportunities for Minnesota childcare providers!

08/25/2026

Two grant opportunities are available through the Laura Jane Musser Fund!

✨Through the Rural Initiative, the Laura Jane Musser Fund encourages collaborative and participatory efforts among residents in rural communities that will help to strengthen their towns and regions.
- The applicant community must have a population of 10,000 or less.
- Project planning grants up to $5,000 and project implementation grants up to $25,000 will be considered.
- Applications will be accepted online through the Fund’s website from September 1 – October 1, 2026.

✨Through the Environmental Initiative, the Laura Jane Musser Fund assists public or not-for-profit entities to initiate or implement projects that protect, restore or enhance the ecological integrity of public open spaces. The Fund's goal is to support efforts that strengthen sustainable ecosystems by engaging local community members through stewardship, long-term care and shared responsibility, thereby reinforcing lasting environmental impact.
- Planning grants up to $8,000 and implementation grants up to $35,000 will be considered for this initiative.
- Applications will be accepted online through the Fund’s website from September 8 – October 8, 2026. (Please note that the guidelines for the Environmental Initiative have changed, so please see the complete guidelines on the website.)

✨Apply at: https://musserfund.org/

08/24/2026

🍎Great opportunity for childcare program leaders!

08/24/2026

Join us on MPR on Tuesday! As part of the 40th anniversary celebration of Minnesota's Initiative Foundations, SMIF President Benya Kraus and Initiative Foundation President Brian Voerding will join Angela Davis on MPR News.

Tune in for a conversation about the power of local leadership, community-driven solutions and the impact rural Minnesotans have made together over the past 40 years. They'll share stories from communities across Greater Minnesota and discuss what comes next for the people and places they serve. You can call in if you have stories or questions!

To listen live:
Tuesday, Aug. 25
9 to 10 a.m.
Minnesota Public Radio: https://www.mprnews.org/shows/angela-davis

08/21/2026

🍎New leasing opportunity for childcare professionals in the Mankato area!

NOW LEASING! 🏫

Mankato Area Public Schools is excited to offer two brand-new child care suites at Eagle Lake Elementary.

Each suite includes classroom and storage space, with heat, electricity, water & sewer, snow removal, mowing & pest control, and facility maintenance included in the lease.

Eagle Lake Elementary
1,095–1,188 sq. ft.
$2,452/year
12-month lease

Are you an Early Care and Education Professional looking to grow your business?

Contact Audra Nissen Boyer for more information.
[email protected]
507-387-5501

08/21/2026

✨Great opportunity for food and beverage producers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin! An early bird exhibitor discount for the Local Feast Marketplace is available until August 31, along with the Melvin Giles Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship application!

✨Visit local-feast.org/registration to complete an application today!

You have 28 days left to take advantage of the early bird exhibitor discount for the Local Feast Marketplace on Saturday, November in Rochester.
Nearly half of our vendor spots are filled for this regional food event. Open to food and beverage producers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Whether you’re a returning vendor or first time exhibitor, we welcome you to visit local-feast.org/registration to complete an application.

Don’t forget, our Melvin Giles Emerging Entrepreneur Scholarship applications are due on August 31 as well. (You complete your application for that as a part of the vendor application. We try to keep it simple!)

The annual Feast! Marketplace brings together foodie fan shoppers from all over our food region. Don’t miss one of the tastiest ways to slip into the cozy winter season.

The sooner you submit your application, the sooner we can share your story with our regional press partners as well as our own newsletter and social media.

We can’t wait to celebrate local food with you!

08/20/2026

✨🍎Great opportunity for Early Childhood professionals! A few spots are left for Conscious Discipline Back to the Basics in Mankato August 21!

Conscious Discipline is a brain-based, self-regulation model that transforms the approach to classroom behavior and culture that empowers educators to:
- Stay calm in moments of stress
- Connect with children who feel overwhelmed
- Teach regulation, connection and problem-solving skills

Please contact Trainer Anne Hoff with questions at [email protected]

✨Register today! forms.cloud.microsoft/r/XvCiRiggiN
Full link in comments