Minnesota Initiative Foundations

One such asset is the Rural Energy Development Initiative (REDI), designed to help maximize rural economic development and stabilize rural economies by building renewable energy capacity, expertise and leadership throughout the state. REDI is administered by the Southwest Initiative Foundation and sponsored by the State of Minnesota and the Center for Rural Policy and Development.

Philanthropy is one of the region's greatest assets. SWIF has helped establish 18 community foundations to address specific needs. SWIF loans help foster entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. SWIF also provides a variety of opportunities to invest charitable dollars through a General Endowment, establish a separate fund to benefit a particular interest or form a local community foundation partnership. Most importantly, every dollar invested in SWIF yields a 330 percent real-money return to the region's communities.