Initiative Foundation‘s president to move onInitiative Foundation‘s president to move on

Kathy Gaalswyk celebrates the yearlong participation and graduation of the Initiative Foundationas first cohort of Emerging Leaders.(Photo: Courtesy of the Initiative Foundation)

LITTLE FALLS aA The Initiative Foundation‘s first and only president and CEO Kathy GaalswykA announced Friday she’ll be moving on to other pursuits.

In her role, Gaalswyk has led the Foundation from its inception in 1986, aiming to increase theA resilience and vitality in Central Minnesota’s economy and communities.

During that time, the Initiative Foundation has distributed $80 million in grants to nonprofits and loans to businesses, secured 13,000 jobs and has accumulated $61 million in assets. She hopes to help a new leader transition into the position.

“I’ve been blessed with the most incredible career,” she said.

aFollow Stephanie Dickrell on TwitterA @SctimesSteph, like her on Facebook atA www.facebook.com/sctimessteph,A call her at 255-8749 or find more stories atA www.sctimes.com/sdickrell.A

A few key events in Initiative Foundation history

1986: Incorporated as Central MinnesotaA Initiative Fund; first McKnight grant received.
1996: 10-year anniversary a total assets: $13.9 million,A 10 employees.
1999: Changed name to Initiative Foundation.
2000: Moved to current location inA Little Falls.
2003: Began Initiative Quarterly magazine.
2006: 20-year anniversary a total assets: $40.7 million,A 25 employees.
2009: Launched initiativeA for children of incarcerated parents.
2011: 25-year anniversary a total assets: $43.1 million,A 21 employees.
2012: Launched Thriving CommunitiesA Initiative program.
2016: 30-year anniversary a $61 million in assets;A 25 employees.

Source: Initiative Foundation.

Read or Share this story: http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2016/06/17/initiative-foundations-president-move/86033110/