Initiative Foundation‘s Gaalswyk announces retirement
Kathy Gaalswyk celebrates the yearlong participation and graduation of the Initiative Foundation‘s first cohort of Emerging Leaders. Submitted by: Initiative Foundation4 / 4
The only person to ever sit at the helm of the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls announced she will soon leave the organization.
Over the course of 30 years, founding President Kathy Gaalswyk oversaw the growth of a fund born during the farming crisis of the mid-1980s into a multifaceted foundation with assets totaling $62 million. Initiatives Gaalswyk identified as those she’s most proud of include those impacting early childhood education, childhood dental care, methamphetamine education and prevention, the establishment of Bridges of Hope and the Bridges Career Academies and post-tornado disaster relief efforts in Wadena.
Gaalswyk said these initiatives have both direct and indirect impacts on economic development in rural communities by improving the kindergarten readiness of future leaders, for example, or rebuilding lives and communities stronger than before a disaster, whether it be meth or a catastrophic weather event.
“It’s because of our ability to move quickly on an issue, engage people, bring resources to the table,” Gaalswyk said of the meth initiative. “We were able to raise a significant amount of grant funding in a very short amount of time because we had the credibility.”
Other efforts the foundation engages in include the development of young leaders, the protection of water quality in lakes and rivers, fighting the spread of aquatic invasive species, nonprofit financing and, as the host of turn key funds for families, businesses and other groups.
A leading lady
When the organization began, Gaalswyk was a woman in a leadership role at a time when that was less common. I have been treated with the utmost respect by my board and my staff, and it really hasn’t been a barrier to anything.”
Many kind words
The words “integrity,” “credibility” and “trust” were used liberally by those on the board and in the community describing Gaalswyk’s leadership.
Larry Korf, Initiative Foundation board chairman, said Gaalswyk’s leadership helped to define the credibility that allows the foundation to tackle such a variety of issues.
“Wherever there is a problem or a gap in the community, we can address it very quickly,” he said.
“She’s been the face of the Initiative Foundation and she’s done a terrific job,” said Reggie Clow, a trustee with the foundation and the CEO/owner/president of Clow Stamping Company. Then, you find the energy and the strength to do the hard things to make it happen.”
Initiative Foundation timeline
1986: Incorporated as Central Minnesota Initiative Fund; First McKnight Foundation grant received.
1987: Started business financing program.
1995: Launched Community Partners grants and training.
1996: 10-year anniversary total assets $13.9 million, 10 employees.
1997: Certified by the U.S. Treasury Department as a Certified Development Financing Institution.
1999: Changed name to Initiative Foundation; launched Healthy Lakes and Rivers Partnership program training.
2000: Moved to current location in Little Falls.
2001: Healthy Organizations Partnership program kick-off event.
2002: Began statewide Early Childhood Initiative and became Volunteers In Service To America program sponsor.
2003: Began Initiative Quarterly magazine.
2006: 20-year anniversary total assets $40.7 million; 25 employees.
2009: Launched Inside-Out Connections initiative for children of incarcerated parents.
2011: 25-year anniversary total assets $43.1 million; 21 employees.
2012: Launched Thriving Communities Initiative program.
2012: Launched Financial Resiliency through Social Enterprise.
2013: Launched Early Childhood Dental Network.
2014: Launched Aquatic Invasive Species program.
2015: Launched Emerging Leaders program.
2016: 30-year anniversary total assets $61 million; 25 employees.
CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com.
