Initiative Foundation Awards Grants Totaling More Than $576,000

(KNSI) — The Initiative Foundation has announced the distribution of 120 grants totaling more than $576,000.

Twelve grants totaling $273,336 went to support businesses in communities such as Cold Spring, Little Falls, and St. Cloud in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Minnesota Main Street Economic Revitalization program. This effort aims to funnel $4.5 million into established corridors across participating communities, with a projected economic impact exceeding $32 million.

In addition to economic development, the Foundation has awarded 19 grants totaling more than $179,000 to various causes. Loaves and Fishes Too and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota CareerSTART Program each received $5,000. Loaves and Fishes supports access to healthy food in the St. Cloud area. The CareerSTART Program is designed to explore, develop and apply career paths for kindergarten to 12th grade youth. The program helps students develop employment skills and prepare for their career of choice.

The City of Melrose was awarded $5,000 to support the development of a new strategic plan and implementation steps, including a Comprehensive Plan Update and Strategic Planning initiative.

The Foundation also hosted Partner Funds, awarding 89 grants amounting to more than $123,000. Among these contributions were grants for a varsity baseball mound for Milaca public school and support for reading education programs at Little Falls and Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools.

To see the full list, click here.

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