SMIF Early Literacy Grant

The SMIF Early Literacy Grant, offered by the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, aims to enhance school readiness for children from birth to eight years old by providing books. With over $1.5 million invested annually in early childhood development, the program fosters collaboration to ensure that children in 20 counties across south central and southeastern Minnesota have access to essential literacy resources. This initiative is vital for nurturing future leaders and promoting community vitality.

SMIF invests through grantmaking, lending, trainings and more.
Investing In Our Youngest Generation
SMIF invests over $1.5 million annually to support a variety of early childhood development projects and programs.
Early Literacy Grants
SMIF’s Early Literacy Grant program is designed to support early literacy efforts that enhance school readiness for children birth to age eight by providing children with books. The Early Literacy Grant program receives books through partnerships with Mankato-based publishing companies, Capstone and ABDO.

Eligibility

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation serves south central and southeastern Minnesota which includes 20 counties, 175 communities and one Native nation. This includes the counties of Blue Earth, Brown, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Goodhue, Martin, Le Sueur, Nicollet, Mower, Rice, Olmsted, Steele, Sibley, Waseca, Wabasha, Winona and Watonwan, as well as the Prairie Island Indian Community.