Ways to Give

Maximize Your Generosity

If you value tax benefits, flexibility and accountability paired with thoughtful planning and diligent stewardship, we are the perfect partner for you. It’s through your generosity that the Initiative Foundation is able to operate from a solid financial base in Central Minnesota to strengthen economic opportunity; support children, youth and families; build organizational effectiveness in our vital nonprofits; and preserve key places in the region we call home.

Plan Your Gift

There are a variety of ways to make a gift. While cash is most common, there are advantages to donating other assets that can provide income during your lifetime, significant tax benefits, or both. We can help determine the best type of gift for your situation.

Give Through Your Will

Making a charitable bequest through your will is often the easiest way to make a significant gift. It has the added bonus of reducing taxes on your estate, and it ensures that your personal and family values extend beyond your lifetime. You can choose to support the Initiative Foundation, one of its hosted Partner Funds, or both.

Donate IRAs, Stocks, Bonds

Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to the Initiative Foundation. While helping to advance the Initiative Foundation’s mission, you receive a charitable income tax deduction and avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of appreciated stock.

Start a Fund

The Initiative Foundation is proud to host a variety of Partner Funds for families, businesses, nonprofit organizations and volunteer-led groups. Our community philanthropy program allows you to champion the causes you care about while we provide the infrastructure necessary for gifts to receive the highest possible tax deductions.

Join Community Builders Circle

Donate $1,000 or more per year to the Initiative Foundation’s programs or General Endowment—a forever fund that serves as the economic engine for the Foundation’s grants, programs and services. When you give, you’re helping Central Minnesota communities thrive and grow—from our youngest to our most senior members.

Support Our Funds

The Initiative Foundation’s hosted Partner Funds are a smart investment. From education funds to community foundations, these endowments are designed to deliver long-term results and are supported by local staff members who have a vested interest in creating positive change in our communities.

Give—and Receive—Today

To send a check and partner in our efforts to increase prosperity in Central Minnesota, make your check payable to the Initiative Foundation and send it to:

Initiative Foundation – 446122
P.O. Box 64182
St. Paul, MN 55164-0182

Note: To make donations more secure and to streamline its processes, the Initiative Foundation, with its headquarters at 405 First St. SE in Little Falls, has partnered with Bremer Bank for the intake of your generous gift. As your donation arrives at the Bremer Bank P.O. Box in St. Paul, your gift to our endowment, a program or a designated Partner Fund is securely deposited and a digitized record is transmitted to the Initiative Foundation. You will receive a confirmation letter for your tax records. Thank you for supporting community and economic growth in Central Minnesota!

Make an Online or Recurring Gift

Your one-time or recurring gift to the Initiative Foundation means the world to us. With your support, we can maximize our efforts to ensure that Central Minnesota is economically prosperous and richly vibrant for all who call this region home. Thank you!

Receive IQ Magazine

Stay attuned to the Initiative Foundation’s work in Central Minnesota with IQ Magazine. Each edition takes a solutions-based approach to economic and community development challenges and opportunities in the region and showcases the people and places where partnerships, investments and new possibilities are being realized.

Explore Ways to Support the Foundation

Contact one of our gift-planning team members today to learn how you can make a difference in Central Minnesota.

Financial Accountability

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supported by thousands of donors, financial accountability is our highest priority. We maintain the highest levels of integrity, efficiency and transparency in our financial practices.

The Initiative Foundation is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and proudly bears certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Community Advantage Lender. The Foundation meets rigorous national standards established by the Council on Foundations and is recognized for meeting standards for accountability and openness through the Charities Review Council.

Financial records, policies and procedures are audited annually by an independent accounting firm. Oversight is provided by our Board of Trustees, Investment & Audit Committee and staff Finance Team. We adhere to the Donor’s Bill of Rights and are also accredited by GuideStar, the Council on Foundations, Charities Review Council and the CDFI Fund.

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