Southwest Initiative Foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation is a regional community foundation headquartered in Hutchinson, Minnesota. Founded in 1986, the organization serves as a catalyst for economic and social growth across southwest Minnesota through leadership development, relationship building, program development, and philanthropy. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and functions as a community foundation that pools charitable donations from individuals, families, businesses, and other entities to support local causes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$114.6M
+6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
-43.8% YoY
Grant Count
93
+27.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-55.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Southwest Initiative Foundation connects people, invests in ideas and builds communities. The organization envisions a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Economic Development
- Community foundation affiliates and designated funds
- Microloans and small business support
- Child care professional development and support
- Fostering welcoming communities
The foundation works from a position of community strength while addressing gaps in inclusion, equity, and access to opportunities for all southwest Minnesotans.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves southwest Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. The organization supports community foundation affiliates and designated funds across communities in the region.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $114,617,884 (2024)
Total Giving: $4,883,898 (2024)
Total Revenues: $11,617,544 (2024)
Total Expenses: $10,063,990 (2024)
Annual Revenue: $4,513,861
Staffing: 26 employees (2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $114,617,884 | $108,175,659 | $100,435,349 |
| Revenue | $11,617,544 | $13,272,478 | $19,655,047 |
| Expenses | $10,063,990 | $10,336,099 | $11,284,034 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,521,886 | $1,614,187 | $7,328,558 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Southwest Initiative Foundation
Fostering Social Connection in Later Life Grants
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Glencoe Area Community Foundation Grant
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
Amount
US $500 - US $2,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Paul and Alma Schwan Aging Trust Endowment Fund
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION
Amount
$168,322 total in 2024 (15 grants awarded)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Department of Public Transformation ($255,000), City of Litchfield ($152,042), City of Tyler ($89,305).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADULT TRAINING AND HABILITATION CENTER - WEST HUTCHINSON, MN | TOUR DE FRIENDS BIKING CLUB ATCH/WEST | $8,500 |
| APPLETON AREA HEALTH APPLETON, MN | AAH CLINIC WAITING AREA REFRESH | $6,500 |
| AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY SIOUX FALLS, SD | ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT | $9,390 |
| BENSON GOLF CLUB FOUNDATION BENSON, MN | GOLF CART PATH | $10,000 |
| BLUE AND GOLD EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION - DIST 891 CANBY, MN | FISCAL YEAR 2024 DISBURSEMENT | $31,658 |
| CHILDREN'S DENTAL SERVICES MINNEAPOLIS, MN | EXPANDED ACCESS TO DENTAL CARE AND EDUCATION | $15,000 |
| CITY OF BALATON BALATON, MN | FIRE DEPARTMENT GENERATOR | $58,936 |
| CITY OF BENSON BENSON, MN | 2ND SLIDE BY 2025 | $10,000 |
| CITY OF CLARKFIELD CLARKFIELD, MN | TURNOUT GEAR REPLACEMENT | $15,077 |
| CITY OF COTTONWOOD COTTONWOOD, MN | SPLASH PAD | $31,825 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Executives:
- Scott Marquardt: President
- Margie Nelsen: Chief Financial Officer
- Amy Woitalewicz: Business Finance Director
- Melissa Maiers: Chief Administrative Officer
Board Structure: The foundation has a 12-member volunteer board of directors representing diverse geographic locations, professions, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCOTT MARQUARDT | PRESIDENT | 50 | $147,011 |
| MARGIE NELSEN | CFO | 50 | $132,167 |
| NANCY FASCHING | VICE PRESIDENT | 50 | $122,610 |
| THOMAS BRAKKE | TREASURER | 4 | — |
| TERRY GAALSWYK | SECRETARY | 4 | — |
| CHRISTINE ROCK HANTGE | CHAIR | 6 | — |
| PATRICIA LOEHR-DOLS | PAST CHAIR | 6 | — |
| DANIEL GREVE | VICE CHAIR | 4 | — |
| ABDIRIZAK MAHBOUB | BOARD MEMBER | 4 | — |
| ERICA VOLKIR | BOARD MEMBER | 4 | — |
| KATHY WEHKING | BOARD MEMBER | 4 | — |
| THERESA ZASKE | BOARD MEMBER | 4 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation awarded $400,000 in grant funds through the 2025 Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
Southwest Initiative Foundation awards $400,000 in grant funds through the\Southwest Initiative Foundation received a CoBank Rural Prosperity Grant
Southwest Initiative Foundation awards $400,000 in grant funds through the\The foundation awarded $400,000 in grant funds through the Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund
Southwest Initiative Foundation awards $400,000 in grant funds through the\A $250,000 Cargill grant supported a unique rural arts space in Granite Falls
Southwest Initiative Foundation receives CoBank Rural Prosperity Grant -The Bush Foundation granted $1.8 million to the Granite Falls community through the foundation
Southwest Initiative Foundation awards $400,000 in grant funds through the\The organization celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of commitment to rural community development and demonstrating the foundation's sustained focus on building vibrant towns, strong families, and a resilient rural region.
Southwest Initiative Foundation receives CoBank Rural Prosperity Grant -Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Southwest Initiative Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Southwest Initiative Foundation connects people, invests in ideas and builds communities. The organization envisions a southwest Minnesota where all people thrive. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Economic Development • Community foundation affiliates and designated funds • Microloans and small business support • Child care professional development and support • Fostering welcoming communities The foundation works…
How do I apply for a grant from Southwest Initiative Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $5,050 to $505,624. **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Pipestone Senior Citizens Center: $428,602 (Schroeder Senior Center and Food Shelf Building) • Department of Public Transformation: $255,000 (Yes! House Capital Campaign) • Wallin Education Partners: $134,201 (FY24 Yellow Medicine East Scholarships) **Total Giving:** $4,883,898 (based on most recent filing) **Eligible Applicants:** Nonprofit organizations, schools, government agencies, and proje…
Where does Southwest Initiative Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves southwest Minnesota, South Dakota, and Iowa. The organization supports community foundation affiliates and designated funds across communities in the region.
What size grants does Southwest Initiative Foundation award?
In 2024, Southwest Initiative Foundation awarded 93 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $26K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Southwest Initiative Foundation's EIN?
Southwest Initiative Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1555592. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Southwest Initiative Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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