Southwest Initiative Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION'S (SWIF'S) ORIGINAL MISSION WAS TO STRENGTHEN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA IN THREE WAYS: IMPROVING THE REGION'S ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE, OVERCOMING HUMAN DISTRESS, AND PROMOTING REGIONAL LEADERSHIP COORDINATION AND PARTNERSHIPS. THE FOUNDATION CONTINUES TO ADDRESS THESE BROAD AREAS AND SERVE AS A PARTNER THROUGH BUSINESS FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, GRANTMAKING AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING, AND COMMUNITY GIVING AND PHILANTHROPY.THE LASTING OUTCOME OF THIS WORK IS ECONOMIC MOBILITY FOR ALL PEOPLE IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA TO ATTAIN A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING, EXPERIENCE THE DIGNITY THAT COMES FROM HAVING POWER AND AUTONOMY OVER THEIR LIVES, AND BE ENGAGED IN AND VALUED BY THEIR COMMUNITY.
- Income
- $14.7 million
- Spending
- $11.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 40.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 49%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 300
- Highest pay
- $183,781, president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 95% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 40.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 256 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.8 million spent. SEE SCHEDULE OCOMMUNITY IMPACT: THE SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION (SWIF) PROVIDES GRANTS AND PROGRAMS TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE TO THRIVE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. OUR GRANTMAKING, PROACTIVE PROGRAMMING AND COMMUNITY LED BELONGING ACTIVITIES HELP CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE TO THRIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY CALL HOME. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, WE CAN LEAD INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO THRIVE.SWIF CONTINUES WORK IN GROWING LOCAL: AN EIGHT-MONTH TRAINING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO HELP UP-AND-COMING LEADERS DISCOVER AND BUILD UPON THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS SO THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS PROGRAM HELPS CULTIVATE A VITAL LEADERSHIP PIPELINE IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA BY SUPPORTING BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES WITH LEADERS WHO REFLECT THE MAKEUP OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. THE INITIAL COHORT GRADUATED 14 PARTICIPANTS, AND THE SECOND COHORT GRADUATED 13.SWIF SUPPORTS WELCOMING WEEK EFFORTS ACROSS SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA, RANGING FROM 6 TO 16 COMMUNITIES. THROUGH THIS, ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITIES BRING TOGETHER NEIGHBORS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO BUILD STRONG CONNECTIONS AND AFFIRM THE IMPORTANCE OF WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE PLACES IN ACHIEVING COLLECTIVE PROSPERITY. SWIF PROVIDES FUNDING AND SUPPORT FOR WELCOMING WEEK CELEBRATIONS IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR REGION AS A PART OF OUR MEMBERSHIP IN WELCOMING AMERICA, THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION LEADING WELCOMING WEEK.SWIF EXPANDED THE WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES PROJECT TO LAC QUI PARLE COUNTY. THIS PROGRAM HELPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND LEARN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PRACTICES WHILE GROWING THEIR LOCAL NETWORK OF "WELCOMERS" WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT INCLUDING EVERYONE. COMMUNITIES APPLY TO BE PART OF THE PROJECT AND THEN PARTICIPATE IN MONTHLY COHORT MEETINGS TO SHARE TOOLS, SKILLS, AND STRATEGIES FOR WELCOMING AND INCLUSION.THE TEAM ALSO WORKS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY WELL-BEING BY SUPPORTING YOUTH AND FAMILIES AND IMPROVING MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AND AWARENESS. THIS INCLUDES BEING A PARTNER IN THE SUICIDE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS, AND CRISIS SUPPORT AND RESPONSE. SWIF ALSO SERVES THE REGIONAL NONPROFITS BY PROVIDING NONPROFIT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING TO BUILD CAPACITY AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS' DEVELOPMENT.GRANTMAKING IS AT THE HEART OF OUR ROLE AS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. WE ACCEPT GRANT APPLICATIONS ON AN ONGOING BASIS AS WELL AS PROVIDING DEFINED GRANT ROUNDS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WE ALSO SERVE AS A PHILANTHROPIC INTERMEDIARY TO BRING ADDITIONAL GRANT DOLLARS INTO OUR REGION THROUGH PARTNER FOUNDATIONS.SWIF IS 1 OF 23 COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS ACROSS A 10-STATE NETWORK PARTICIPATING IN A PHILANTHROPIC PREPAREDNESS, RESILIENCY, AND EMERGENCY PARTNERSHIP. WE CONTINUE TO USE THE BEST PRACTICES LEARNED THROUGH THIS NETWORK IN DISASTER RESPONSE RECOVERY WORK WITHIN OUR REGION AS NEEDS ARISE.SWIF'S PAUL AND ALMA SCHWAN AGING TRUST ENDOWMENT FUND PROMOTES PRODUCTIVE AGING IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA. ESTABLISHED IN 1991, THIS IS A KEY EXAMPLE OF LEGACY AND IMPACT DONORS CAN MAKE THROUGH SWIF. IT CONTINUES TO FUND AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY WORK LAUNCHED IN 2016 IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINNESOTA RIVER AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND THE PRAIRIE FIVE COMMUNITY ACTION. THIS FUND ALSO SUPPORTS A RESPONSIVE GRANT FUND FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS THAT REDUCE SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA BY FOSTERING SOCIAL CONNECTIONS.
- $3.3 million spent. COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROGRAM: SEE SCHEDULE O.SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION'S COMMUNITY FOUNDATION PROGRAM SETS UP GEOGRAPHICALLY FOCUSED FUNDS CALLED AFFILIATE FOUNDATIONS. THESE FUNDS HELP KEEP CHARITABLE DONATIONS IN SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA AND DIRECT THEM TO LOCAL NEEDS. SINCE 1999, THE PROGRAM HAS GRANTED APPROXIMATELY $10 MILLION TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES IN THE REGION.THE PROGRAM INCLUDES 31 AFFILIATE FOUNDATIONS. EACH IS LED BY A VOLUNTEER ADVISORY BOARD OF LOCAL RESIDENTS. THESE VOLUNTEERS DECIDE WHICH PROJECTS TO SUPPORT AND HELP CONNECT DONATIONS WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS. EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS INCLUDE IMPROVING PARKS, FIXING SWIMMING POOLS, PROVIDING FOOD FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, SUPPORTING STUDENT LEARNING ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER LOCAL PROGRAMS. BY COMBINING LOCAL LEADERSHIP WITH PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT, THE PROGRAM MAKES CHARITABLE DOLLARS GO FURTHER.SWIF HELPS AFFILIATES WITH ADMINISTRATION, FINANCES, AND INVESTMENTS. IT ALSO PROVIDES THE LEGAL AND TAX STRUCTURE NEEDED FOR COMPLIANCE AND DONOR CONFIDENCE. NEW AFFILIATES TAKE PART IN LAUNCH MEETINGS TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. ALL AFFILIATES RECEIVE ONGOING GUIDANCE IN PLANNING, FUNDRAISING, MARKETING, GOVERNANCE, AND MAKING GRANTS.THE PROGRAM MANAGES MORE THAN 120 TYPES OF FUNDS THESE INCLUDE DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS, EMPLOYEE HARDSHIP FUNDS, EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS, AGENCY ENDOWMENTS, FIELD-OF -INTEREST FUNDS, AND SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS. DONOR-ADVISED FUNDS CAN BE ENDOWED OR NON- ENDOWED. THEY LET DONORS GIVE INPUT ON HOW THESE GRANTS ARE DISBURSED WHILE SWIF HANDLES THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.ALL SWIF FUNDS CAN RECEIVE DONATIONS IN MANY FORMS, INCLUDING CASH, STOCKS, REAL ESTATE, FARMLAND, AND PLANNED GIFTS SUCH AS CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES AND BEQUESTS. FARMLAND CAN REMAIN IN FARMING THROUGH SWIF'S "KEEP IT GROWING" PROGRAM GIVING DONORS A WAY TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY WHILE KEEPING LAND PRODUCTIVE.THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, SWIF CONNECTS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE WITH THE RESOURCES COMMUNITIES NEED. THE AFFILIATE STRUCTURE KEEPS CHARITABLE DOLLARS LOCAL, SUPPORTING SCHOOLS, NONPROFITS, PARKS, AND OTHER PROGRAMS. THESE EFFORTS HELP COMMUNITIES ACROSS SWIF'S 18-COUNTY SERVICE AREA GROW STRONGER AND THRIVE OVER TIME.
- $4.4 million spent. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: SEE SCHEDULE O.SOUTHWEST INITIATIVE FOUNDATION PROVIDES FLEXIBLE AND INNOVATIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FINANCE SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS RETENTION, EXPANSION, STARTUP, AND OWNERSHIP SUCCESSION PROJECTS THROUGH ITS BUSINESS FINANCE PROGRAM AND ITS MICRO ENTERPRISE LOAN PROGRAM. ITS FINANCING PROGRAMS SUPPORT PROJECTS IN THE RETAIL, SERVICE, MANUFACTURING, CHILD CARE, HOSPITALITY, AND OTHER SECTORS, WITH A SPECIAL INTEREST IN SUPPORTING PROJECTS IN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MANUFACTURING, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND BIOSCIENCE. IN ADDITION, THE MICRO ENTERPRISE LOAN PROGRAM PROVIDES VALUABLE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR BORROWERS IN THE AREAS OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS, FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING, AND MARKETING. SWIF IS ESPECIALLY INTERESTED IN OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT POPULATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERINVESTED IN BY THE MARKETPLACE, INCLUDING WOMEN, BIPOC ENTREPRENEURS, VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND LOW-INCOME PEOPLE.SWIF ALSO OPERATES THE INITIATE PROSPERITY WEBSITE (IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NORTHERN ECONOMIC INITIATIVES CORPORATION) WWW.INITIATEPROSPERITY.ORG, WHICH PROVIDES COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE RESOURCES, INCLUDING INTERACTIVE TOOLS, TEMPLATES, VIDEOS, AND GUIDES.SWIF IS A LENDER FOR THE MINNESOTA EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR LOAN PROGRAM THROUGH THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. IN ADDITION TO BEING A MICRO LENDER THROUGH THE U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA), THE RURAL MICRO ENTREPRENEUR ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LENDER THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA). SWIF IS ALSO A GRANTOR FOR THE MINNESOTA MAIN STREET ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION PROGRAM, IN ADDITION TO BEING A PARTNER FOR THE ELEVATE COMMUNITY BUSINESS ACADEMY AS PART OF THE RISING TIDE CAPITAL NETWORK.CHILD CARE IS THE FASTEST-GROWING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUE FACING OUR REGION. SWIF HAS DEVELOPED A MULTIFACETED RESPONSE FOCUSED ON FIVE ASPECTS: PROJECT INVESTMENT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, COMMUNITY PLANNING, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC POLICY, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS.SWIF HAS SUPPORTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONALS, IN ADDITION TO SPONSORING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED PROGRAMMING, EVENTS, AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES. SWIF HAS ALSO SERVED AS A CONVENER, FACILITATOR, FUNDER, ADVOCATE, AND/OR PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO CAREER PATHWAYS AND CHILDCARE. OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES FACE UNIQUE CHALLENGES AS WELL AS OPPORTUNITIES TO COLLABORATE AROUND THESE AND OTHER ISSUES. KEY ISSUES FACING OUR REGION'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCLUDE CHILDCARE, HOUSING, AND BROADBAND.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1986.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.