SMIFoundation

New immigrants to our region seek opportunities to contribute. They bring skills we need and a desire to become involved. Their presence invites new thinking, provides needed stability in the workforce, and enriches community life and institutions.

Immigrants can help sustain a growing workforce. Take a look at the facts:

• Immigrants accounted for 60 percent of workforce growth in Minnesota between 2000 and 20041


• Minnesota employs a higher percentage of immigrants than in the nation as a whole2


• 25 percent of immigrants work in manufacturing3


• The minority population in southern Minnesota is disproportionately young: 3 percent elders; 30 percent youth4

As a foundation, our priority is workforce practices that create a level playing field for all, and that help immigrants gain the skills they need to contribute. The initiatives we fund will aid transitions, augment work skills, and open doors to community life in the region.

Accepted proposals will help make this three-level vision reality:

• Employers will create work places where immigrant workers can function safely, effectively, and efficiently. As a result, they will meet competitive challenges.


• Workers will have a fair opportunity to fulfill career goals and grow wealth. They will become self-sufficient.


• Community members will know that opportunities and services are equal. They will grow with the challenges of greater diversity: socially, culturally, and economically.

In the area of workforce development, we all succeed when:

• An increasingly diverse workforce has the skills needed to contribute


• More skilled workers are working


• We achieve sustainable economic growth

The Foundation strives for these results.

Tools for Community Growth

We work with communities and organizations that commit to collaboration. We support asset based, local work with these tools:

TOWN MEETING INITIATIVE
Our Town Meeting Initiative brings community members together to evaluate the assets of the community, set goals, and accomplish a project of choice. We provide facilitation, technical assistance, and up to $15,000 to assist asset based community development (ABCD) efforts that lead to economic growth and prosperity.

Click here to download an application.

INCENTIVE GRANTS
Grants launch programs, inspire collaboration, and move communities toward future investment. We provide up to $20,000 to support asset based collaborative projects or programs that support emerging business and workforce initiatives.

Click here to download an application.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT
We provide networking opportunities and expertise to regional partners for programs and activities related to our focus areas.

CONVENINGS
We collaborate with regional partners to create small and large convenings that enhance awareness, increase knowledge, and produce results related to our focus areas. This expands perspectives, connections, and the scope of projects.

How to Apply

Short-term, incentive grant applications are reviewed twice annually, with submission deadlines on March 1 and October 1. Town Meeting Initiative communities are selected through a Request For Proposal (RFP) process. All opportunities are publicized well in advance of submission dates by e-mail, in community newspapers, and in the News and RFPs section of this website. For clarification on this area of focus or for more application details, call Suzy Meneguzzo, 507.455.3215, or e-mail at suzym@smifoundation.org.

Click here to register for e-mail notification of grant opportunities.

1 State of Minnesota Demographic Center
2 State of Minnesota Demographic Center
3 State of Minnesota Demographic Center
4 U.S. Census Bureau