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Smith Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation outlines lending, childcare and small‑town grants to Houston County commissioners
Summary
Brianna Krauss, introduced as president and CEO, described Smith Foundation programs including lending and gap financing for entrepreneurs, early‑childhood technical assistance, small‑town vitality grants, and the "acres for good" farmland‑donation program; she said the foundation reinvests about $8 million annually in the region and nearly $200,000 recently into Houston County.
Brianna Krauss, introduced on the agenda as President and CEO of Smith Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, presented the foundation’s work to the Houston County Board, focusing on three core areas: economic development and lending, early‑childhood supports, and small‑town vitality.
Krauss described a foundation lending program that provides gap financing to entrepreneurs and said Smith partners with community banks and local economic development agencies to support business retention and recruitment. She noted the foundation has supported local initiatives in Houston County, including workshops and tracking systems to monitor business stages.
On early‑childhood work, Krauss said the foundation prioritizes ages 0–3, offering free technical assistance to child‑care providers, operational and financial support and early literacy grants. She mentioned local examples including book distributions to Houston County libraries and preschools and referenced a child‑care capital grant opportunity opening this summer.
For community vitality, Krauss discussed small‑town grants and a farmland donation effort called "acres for good," which allows farmers without succession plans to donate land and use rental income to fund regional grants. She said Smith serves as an intermediary for state and philanthropic funds and that the foundation reinvests roughly $8 million a year in the region, citing nearly $200,000 in recent investments in Houston County.
Krauss also introduced Mary Ay as the foundation’s new vice president of entrepreneurship and said the foundation is eager to partner with local revolving loan funds and economic development agencies.
Commissioners asked about local loan funds and expressed appreciation for the foundation’s county partnerships. Krauss encouraged commissioners and staff to share grant opportunities with local residents and organizations.
