AgStar donates to Southwest Initiative Foundation
$2,500 given to Hutchinson organization
MANKATO, Minn. (May 18, 2011) – The AgStar Fund for Rural America, a corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, recently contributed $2,500 to the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) of Hutchinson to support its mission. The gift was made to SWIF’s General Endowment and was matched dollar-for-dollar by The McKnight Foundation.
“We are very pleased to be working with the Southwest Initiative Foundation to help support worthwhile projects,” said Melanie Olson, Fund Administrator. “AgStar appreciates the important work they are doing, making a difference in the lives of rural Minnesotans.”
The Southwest Initiative Foundation is a regional community foundation dedicated to advancing southwest Minnesota through leadership, relationship building, program development and philanthropy. The Foundation works to ensure that southwest Minnesota is a highly productive and engaged region where growing numbers of people choose to live. To date, the Foundation has contributed more than $53 million to southwest Minnesota through grants and loans.
“We are thrilled to receive this very generous contribution from AgStar. Their support speaks of their commitment to the economic and social well-being of southwest Minnesota,” said Sherry Ristau, President/CEO of the Southwest Initiative Foundation.
The AgStar Fund gave a total of $10,000 to the four Initiative Foundations in AgStar’s 69 county service area. The other three Initiatives are the Northland Foundation of Duluth, the Initiative Foundation of Little Falls and the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation of Owatonna. The monies have been offered annually since 2007.
Since its inception in 2001, the AgStar Fund has donated more than $3 million to organizations working to improve the future of rural America.
About AgStar:
AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, Minn., employs more than 600 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. AgStar’s industry specialization, client segments and market delivery systems result in diversification nationwide. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, tax services, accounting, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its more than 13,000 stockholders. Visit www.AgStar.com for more information.
Contact:
Melanie Olson
952-997-1255
Melanie.Olson@AgStar.com
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