Montgomery Mallards 6, St. Benedict Saints 1

    Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) is currently accepting applications for its Economic Development Grant program. Requests of up to $10,000 will be considered. 

    The Southern Minnesota Initiative Fund (SMIF) has been donating and distributing paint in its region since 1997, even though the Paint the Town Grant didn’t officially start until 2015. Since 1997, SMIF has donated over 11,822 gallons of paint to 354 projects.
    Last year, Kilkenny was a recipient, receiving eight gallons of paint. Their project was to paint their “Twinning” mural showcasing their sister city in Kilkenny, Ireland, and it debuted in time for Halfway to St. Paddy’s Day celebration.

Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) recently approved $300,000 to support 14 capital projects in small towns under 10,000 through the Taylor Rural Improvements Grant. Each project provides services to underserved populations in the community. This grant round considered projects involving food, clothing, shelter, transportation and internet accessibility. An additional $100,000 was dispersed for food and direct assistance through a Good Neighbor Grant from The McKnight Foundation.