We’re excited to see the Wadena Area Child Care center officially open its doors! Read more about the grand opening in the article from the Wadena Pioneer Journal: wadenapj.com/news/local/wad…

Join us in Wadena for Rural Voice 2025—a free, town hall-style conversation on mental health, social isolation and building more joy and connection in our communities. Visit ruralvoice.org to register! Tag: MPR

From refugee camp to successful entrepreneur—Mustafe Abdulahi’s journey is one of resilience and determination. As an Initiative Foundation loan client, Mustafe exemplifies how hard work and community support can turn dreams into reality: stcloudlive.com/business/biz-b…

Get started today with the Initiative Foundation’s FreeWill tool. Making a will is a meaningful way to protect what matters most and to gain peace of mind. Plan ahead today to support the people and causes you care about: frwill.link/initiativefoun…

Across our region, organizations are bringing people together over something we all love—food. Free community meals are doing more than filling plates—they’re creating space for connection. Get a complimentary subscription today: ifound.org/iq-magazine/su…

Running a business in a rural community comes with unique challenges—and opportunities. That’s why the Initiative Foundation, in partnership with the North Central Small Business Development Center, is offering a Rural Business Success Series: ifound.org/trainings/?_sf…

In the fall edition of IQ Magazine, we visit Hackensack, where the Game Changers are shaping the town’s future, and Milaca, where the seeds planted by the Thriving Communities Initiative continue to grow. Subscribe to receive IQ Magazine: ifound.org/iq-magazine/su…

Thank you, Wadena! We're grateful to everyone who came out to Rural Voice 2025 for an open and honest conversation about mental wellness and social isolation in our rural communities. Learn more and register for follow-up events coming in October: ifound.org/news/rural-voi…

Wadena and Long Prairie-area folks: The Initiative Foundation, The Sowing Room and Project Optimist invite you to Rural Voice follow-up conversations in Wadena and Long Prairie. Register for upcoming events: ifound.org/news/rural-voi…

Some downtowns in Central Minnesota have faced years of decline. Starting in 2023, the Initiative Foundation, in partnership with DEED, invested in main street projects to change that story. Subscribe to IQ Magazine to learn more: ifound.org/iq-magazine/su…

Happy National Family Day! With the Initiative Foundation’s FreeWill tool, you can start meaningful conversations with your family about the future; document your wishes and values; and protect your loved ones and the causes you care about. Get started: freewill.com/initiativefoun…

From festivals and art workshops to mentoring, senior programs and youth leadership, community spirit is thriving across Central Minn. The Initiative Foundation is proud to award $160,000 in Joy & Connection grants. See the full list of grantees: ifound.org/grants/joy-con…

Apply now: The Initiative Foundation’s new Emerging Needs grant round is open. This flexible funding helps Central Minnesota nonprofits stabilize, adapt and continue meeting urgent community needs. Learn more and apply: ifound.org/grants/emergin…

Members of Lead for Inclusion’s Youth Leadership Board traveled to Pelican Rapids to connect with The Youths of Pelican Rapids—groups led by Initiators Fellows, Shannon Murray and Staci Allmaras. We’re proud to see young leaders inspiring change across Greater Minnesota.

The Initiative Foundation was proud to host a Fundraising Summit in partnership with Sourcewell at our Little Falls office. Check out more training opportunities for nonprofit staff and business owners: ifound.org/trainings

Sixteen changemakers from central, northwest, west central, southwest and—new this year—northeast Minnesota are finalists for two-year, $60,000 Initiators Fellowship opportunities. Learn more about the finalists: ifound.org/news/16-finali…

We’re excited to share that the Initiative Foundation, in partnership with Citizens State Bank of Waverly, helped support the financing of a new building that will soon be home to Kid’s Haven Child Care in Waverly! Learn more about Foundation loans: ifound.org/business-servi…

What does a century-old brick building, a daring renovation and a craving for ice cream have in common? For the Sabo family, it became Red Truck Ice Cream—a main street landmark in Cold Spring. Read the story: ifound.org/iq-magazine/is…

Protect what matters most. Creating a will gives you peace of mind and ensures your values live on. Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can create or update your will in as little as 20 minutes—completely free, secure and confidential: ifound.org/ways-to-give/g…

When opportunity meets determination, amazing things happen. Miozoti Nieves and Gabrier Perez's story shows how hard work—and a little support—can transform dreams into reality. Read their inspiring journey in the fall edition of IQ Magazine: ifound.org/iq-magazine/is…