Together we grow
Dear Friends,
As we reflect on 2024, I am proud to share the remarkable impact the Initiative Foundation and its many partners have made throughout Central Minnesota. Together, we continue to put our mission into action by building thriving economies, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity.
Our entrepreneurship and lending team helped strengthen local businesses with 56 loans totaling $6.8 million—leveraging an additional $41.1 million in outside funding. We also empowered entrepreneurs through personalized coaching, group training, and the Enterprise Academy and Initiators Fellowship programs.
We fortified our communities by awarding $8 million in grants, strengthening the region’s social fabric. A special highlight includes our partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust’s Community Responsive Fund, which funded vital projects such as the diaper bank at Remer’s Northland Area Family Service Center. Additionally, we trained more than 450 nonprofit staff and volunteers and helped nearly 300 childcare providers improve access to quality, affordable care.
Fast Facts
Our Partner Funds granted about 350 awards totaling $1.4 million, with stories like that of Don Bottemiller, who created the Bottemiller Family Fund to multiply generosity across generations. We also secured $6.7 million in external funding to invest locally.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we are growing a stronger, more vibrant region.
Kristi Westbrock Board Chair
For every local dollar contributed, the Initiative Foundation invests an average of $4.62 back into the region it serves.
Loans
$6.8 Million leveraging $41 million-plus in partner bank lending Grants $8 Million Partner Funds 131
3,850 Entrepreneurs trained 455
Hours of small business support
Outside funding
$6.7 Million attracted to the region Combined total of grants provided to the region by the Initiative Foundation and its affiliated Partner Funds.
Childcare providers supported 275 Nonprofit staff, volunteers trained 457
From 260 organizations
Local support
100%
14 out of 14 counties financially support the Initiative Foundation
Our Numbers
Powered by local generosity, the Initiative Foundation’s programs and services invest in Central Minnesota by . . .
• Providing loans to businesses that create quality jobs
• Awarding grants to nonprofits, governments and schools
• Building public-private partnerships that lead to action
• Serving as a resource magnet and funding advocate for our region
• Helping generous people give back to their communities
• Publishing information on local trends and solutions.
2024 Expenditures
Thanks to generous donor support, the Initiative Foundation disbursed nearly $14 million throughout the region, including:
• $8 million in grants, scholarships and fellowships
• $3.5 million in capacity-building, programming and training
ECONOMY: Seven students graduated from the fall 2024 Long Prairie cohort of Enterprise Academy. In 2024, 64 Long Prairie, Mille Lacs and St. Cloud students graduated from the program. Students are developing a range of business ideas, including a café, a clothing store and a laundry service.
The Initative Foundation's service area includes 14 counties—Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright— and the two Native nations of the Leech Lake and Mille Lacs Bands of Ojibwe. We are proud to serve 163 communities and 750,000 residents in Central Minnesota. Grants, Fellowships,
COMMUNITY: In 2024, the Initiative Foundation awarded $750,000 in grants through a partnership with the Otto Bremer Trust. Northland Area Family Service Center in Remer received funding to support a diaper bank for the distribution of infant hygiene products. (Pictured: Linda Leverty, administrative manager.)
View our audited financials Audit and 990 report available upon request.
New Loans
An additional $6.8 million was disbursed in the form of new loans.
GENEROSITY: Community Aid of Elk River (CAER) receives ongoing grant support from the Three Rivers Community Foundation, the Initiative Foundation’s longest-standing Partner Fund. CAER provides vital assistance to area residents facing food insecurity. (Pictured: Mallory Carey and Barb Miner, CAER volunteers.)
< Scan to read the latest editions of IQ Magazine for more stories of local impact.
OUR MISSION
To empower people throughout Central Minnesota to build a thriving economy, vibrant communities and a lasting culture of generosity.
OUR VISION is to welcome all voices and expand opportunity to ensure that everyone can thrive, regardless of background or circumstance.
GENEROSITY
Don Bottemiller grew up watching his parents give back, and it stuck with him. He started donating a portion of every raise and eventually created the Bottemiller Family Fund, a donor-advised Partner Fund of the Initiative Foundation. Now guided with help from his kids and grandkids, it’s a way to keep the giving spirit alive across generations—and inspire others to do the same.
Scan the code to meet staff and board members.
COMMUNITY
There’s no denying it—fresh air, physical activity and social connection offer a natural boost to mental health. To support social connection, the Initiative Foundation awarded a grant to Hike Learn Be in St. Stephen. The organization created opportunities for people of all ages to connect in the outdoors through guided nature walks, interactive read-aloud sessions and hands-on activities like making pinecone bird feeders.
ECONOMY
Heading north on Highway 169 from Milaca, stop at the new Backroad Meats retail location for beef, chicken, pork, and specialty cuts like lamb, goat, buffalo and yak—plus 18 flavors of snack sticks. Rob and Amanda Isaacson expanded to the retail location with help from an Initiative Foundation loan. “Without [the Initiative Foundation’s] support, we couldn’t have done this,” Amanda Isaacson said. “They’ve been with us every step of the way.”