Change Greater Minnesota With Us
The Initiators Fellowship equips early stage social entrepreneurs with the support they need to transform their ideas into scalable, sustainable ventures that serve and enrich Greater Minnesota.
About The Fellowship
Through a friendly but competitive selection process, eight Fellows will be chosen for Cohort 3. The program provides wrap-around training, mentoring and guidance—plus $30,000 annually for two years—to support Fellows and their social enterprise ideas to improve Greater Minnesota communities.
Am I Eligible?
Applications are encouraged from up-and-coming leaders and entrepreneurs served by the Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation and West Central Initiative. Strong character and a passionate drive for social enterprise are qualities that will lead to success.
How Do I Apply?
Applications for Cohort 3, Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2023, will be accepted from May 24 through June 15, 2021.
Our goal is to make the process beneficial to all applicants by providing guidance, insights and feedback to fuel individual growth and development.
Broad-Based Support for Transformational Leaders
2020-2021 Cohort 2 Fellows
Jonathan Friesner
Hamdia MOhamed
Alise
Sjostrom
Marc
Van Herr
Anne O’Keefe-Jackson
Erin Schutte Wadzinksi
Rachel
Stone
Investing in a Lifetime of Greater Minnesota Leadership
Regional Foundations United in Goal to Enrich Greater Minnesota
Investing in the people and communities of Greater Minnesota has been a central tenet of the Minnesota Initiative Foundations. Through the Initiators Fellowship, four Greater Minnesota community foundations—the Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, Southwest Initiative Foundation and West Central Initiative—are continuing the legacy that began in the 1980s.
"I am so thankful that I am no longer afraid to take risks or try something different."
Annie Deckert
2018 Fellow
"This actually not only opened doors for me, but also we made an impact locally."
Hudda Ibrahim
2018 Fellow