SMIF- Taylor Rural Improvements Grants

The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation's Taylor Rural Improvements Grant offers up to $30,000 for impactful capital projects in communities with populations under 10,000. The grant aims to enhance essential services such as food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and internet accessibility. Eligible applicants include government units and 501(c)(3) nonprofits within a 20-county region. A 25% cash or in-kind match is required. This funding supports projects that improve community vibrancy and serve underserved populations.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation
Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), a donor-supported foundation, invests for economic growth in south central and southeastern Minnesota, serving a 20-county region which includes 175 communities and one Native nation. SMIF’s key interests include entrepreneurship, early childhood development and community vitality. SMIF invests through grantmaking, lending, trainings and more.
The Taylor Rural Improvements Grant seeks to support capital projects that can make a big impact in the vibrancy of small towns. SMIF offers up to $30,000 for projects in communities located in our 20-county region with populations under 10,000. Applications must be for capital projects to provide essential services to underserved populations within the community.
For this grant round we will consider projects that fall under the following essential services categories: food, clothing, shelter, transportation or internet accessibility.
Examples of projects include, but are not limited to: refrigerator/freezer or loading dock for food shelf, upgrades to community owned thrift store, new furniture for a homeless shelter, computers or hot spots for libraries, or a bus that provides transportation for underserved community members to school or medical appointment.
Requirement
25% cash or in-kind match (For example, if applicant is seeking $30,000, they must have $7,500 cash in-hand or in-kind before SMIF will release any awarded grant funds.)

Eligibility

Eligible organizations are:units/agencies of government, IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (current status, not pending), and public institutions (public schools, public higher education, etc) within SMIF’s 20-county region or the Prairie Island Indian Community Organizations which do not comply with the above status may seek a fiscal agent who holds one of the above legal statuses.

Ineligibility

Exclusions:
Individuals, businesses, or other for-profit organizationsProjects related to child care will not be considered for this grant round. SMIF has a separate grant for rural child care opening in 2026General operating expenses and expenses not directly related to the projectPrograms or services mandated by lawRoutine maintenanceCampaigns or endowments