Initiative Foundation Celebrates 40 Years in Wadena County
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by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, July 21.
Initiative Foundation Celebrates 40 Years in Wadena County
Vice President Carl Newbanks mentioned that since 1986 the Initiative Foundation has provided 80 loans totaling $3.3 million. These loans have helped create or keep 959 jobs. The foundation steps in to help fund projects when banks can’t cover everything.
In 2025, they gave out 33 grants worth about $1.5 million. One grant was $1.1 million for the Wadena Library project. Normally, they provide around $350,000 in grants each year to Wadena County.
The Initiative Foundation also assists big companies like U.S. Bank and Target in giving money to local projects. Some recent projects they’ve funded include a new childcare center and a campaign to encourage local shopping during road work.
They also offer training for local nonprofits and have recently restarted their Thriving Communities program. This program helps small towns figure out their needs and find money to help...
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