Gaalswyk, Foundation celebrate 30 years

Three decades of community-building will take center stage on Oct. 7 when the Initiative Foundation and its founding president, Kathy Gaalswyk, celebrate the people who have powered possible in Central Minnesota during its 30-year anniversary celebration at the River’s Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud.

The Staples Motley Area Community Foundation is a component fund of the Initiative Foundation.

“This is really a celebration of Central Minnesota leaders and the initiatives they’ve undertaken these past three decades to make our region the best place to live, work, give and play,” said Gaalswyk. “Together we have helped people build their communities, grow companies and envision a better future for the next generation. Because of all this good community-powered work, a resilient and vibrant Central Minnesota is poised to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

Among the night’s noteworthy events will be the unveiling of an Emeritus Board of Trustees-a group of trusted advisors who have faithfully served the region and who continue to be ambassadors and advocates for regional economic and community development. 

Guests will also hear from:

o One of the foundation’s earliest loan clients and the North American and global reach they’ve achieved.

o The leaders of a nearly 30-year-old hosted partner fund and the good they’ve accomplished in their community.

o A group of civic leaders and the stories of how they guided their hometown through a large-scale natural disaster and emerged on the other side with community assets that would be the envy of many a small town.

A cornerstone in Central Minnesota, the Initiative Foundation provides business financing and technical assistance, awards nonprofit grants, hosts Turn Key Partner Funds and offers a variety of leadership programs that empower citizens to build stronger communities.

Since inception, the Foundation has invested more than $81 million in the region through targeted grants and business financing investments, creating and retaining nearly 13,000 jobs.

The Oct. 7 event marks Gaalswyk’s final turn as the face of the Initiative Foundation. In June Gaalswyk announced that she will transition out of her position at the end of this year to focus on another passion: the Josiah Foundation, a global mission to serve people who live in deep poverty.

“Serving as president of the Initiative Foundation has been a rewarding, challenging and joy-filled opportunity,” Gaalswyk said. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work side-by-side with so many talented and visionary people for all these years.”

For information about the Initiative Foundation’s 30-year celebration, including sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit ifound.org/whatifmn.