Initiators Fellowship Grant

The Initiators Fellowship supports early-stage entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota focused on social and environmental challenges. This program nurtures social enterprises that blend profit with purpose, providing fellows with mentorship, training, and a stipend. Participants are expected to dedicate part-time hours, fostering community impact through innovative solutions. The fellowship aims to enhance leadership skills and social responsibility among diverse applicants, encouraging those committed to rural renewal in Minnesota.

The Initiators Fellowship is designed for idea and early-stage entrepreneurs in Greater Minnesota eager to tackle a social or environmental challenge while pursuing leadership growth.
The Initiators Fellowship fosters the development of a social enterprise, a venture with social or environmental good built into the mission and operations of the business.
Early-stage development means applicants have identified a particular social problem they are passionate about addressing and have developed a working model for a solution. All ventures must have a home in the Initiators Fellowship’s 53-county and six Native nations region.
Applicants must have a project that will impact the community and wider region.
Social Value
NonprofitDriven by impact; funded by grants, donations, program feesIncludes added revenue stream with social impact
Social Value +Financial Value
Social EnterpriseBlended non-profit/for-profit modelProfits reinvested for greater impactMission-driven, for-profit enterprise
Financial Value
BusinessDonates a percentage of profits to good causes Driven by profits; funded by sales
A Wealth of Support
This program offers Fellows wrap-around support and guidance in their enterprise and leadership journey via individual support and a collective cohort format.
Training and Development
Fellows attend regular virtual trainings and quarterly in-person, multi-day fellowship retreats. The Fellowship provides each Fellow with a $3,000 annual stipend to fund professional development and technical assistance based on their unique needs. Fellows develop an individualized plan in consultation with the Initiators Fellowship Program Manager for use of these funds.
Mentorship and Consulting
Each Fellow is paired with an industry mentor and business coaching and consulting to support their personal, professional, and enterprise growth. Through these connections, program trainings, and signature events, such as the annual Brain Trust, Fellows accelerate a lifetime network of advocates, colleagues, and friends.
Stipend to Support Time Investment
The expectation is that Fellows dedicate 20 hours per week to the work of the Fellowship and the development of their vision. The Fellowship compensates each Fellow with an annual stipend of $30,000.
What Can the Stipend Be Used For?
Fellows receive a $30,000 annual living stipend to support them while they participate in the program at least part-time. This stipend can be used for living and learning expenses so they can participate in the program for 20 hours per week. This stipend cannot be used for direct expenses of their social enterprise and may be taxable. Fellows should consult a tax adviser regarding their particular situation.

Eligibility

Most individuals who are in the process of starting a social enterprise are eligible to apply, as long as they meet the criteria below. Eligible applicants:

• Must be at least 18 years old by the start of the Fellowship cycle.
• Can be a recent college graduate, a young professional, mid-career or in their encore years.

Can be in a partnership enterprise, but only an individual partner with controlling interest may apply to the Fellowship.Must live and work in and their social enterprise must serve one of the four Minnesota Initiative Foundation regions covered by the Fellowship, or within a tribal nation adjacent to one of the four defined regions. We’re looking for individuals committed to Greater Minnesota’s rural renewal.
Must have English-language proficiency; all programming will take place in English.
Must be eligible for work in the United States. Can be United States citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents or persons legally residing within the region and who have the following immigration status: refugee, asylee, temporary protected status (TPS) or deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status. If you aren’t sure if you are eligible to apply based on your immigration status, please reach out to us to discuss further.
Come with diverse backgrounds experiences, ability, economic status, and perspectives. Women, non-binary people, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Diversity is a core program value.Fellows can be in school or working as long as they can regularly dedicate at least 20 hours per week to the Fellowship.

Ineligibility

Cannot be immediate family of any current board or staff members of the four Minnesota Initiative Foundation program partners. Immediate family includes spouse, parent, grandparent, great grandparent, child, grandchild, great grandchild, and spouses of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.