Announcements

Our Work Impacts

Many Facets of a Community

When we educate, we give people and organizations the tools they need to serve the region. When we activate, we encourage them to embrace their potential and maximize their impact. When we celebrate, we foster a sense of joyful community in which successes are lauded and honored. These three ideas work together to help our communities thrive.

We’re committed to unleashing the full, dynamic potential of west central Minnesota, in large part by investing in its economic development. We use our loan program and resources to help families, communities, and businesses in our region thrive. More About Loan Applications
Our Community Planners work throughout west central Minnesota to meet shared regional and local goals of creating vibrant and welcoming communities for all. More About Community Planning
Children are our future. We want them have the best possible start toward a healthy life of learning, achieving, and succeeding. Community organization is key. More About the Early Childhood Initiative
After 35 years serving west central Minnesota, strengthening our region through philanthropy and planning remains our reason for being. With your help, we can make sure our neighbors across the region enjoy great quality of life, meaningful work, and access to essential services.  More about Regional Giving
West Central Initiative administers the transportation planning program for west central Minnesota. This partnership allows for coordinated, long-range, regional transportation planning. More about Transportation Planning
We believe that a healthy, sustainable planet is one where all people belong and can live together in peace and prosperity. To that end, we align and activate our work around climate change. More about Climate Action
We envision a future where all people feel welcome, appreciated for their unique attributes, and connected to their neighbors, communities, and natural environments More about Rural Belonging
Through our Rural Democracy Project, we’re working to increase civic participation—vital to an equitable and sustainable future. More about Rural Democracy

Global · Regional · Local

Our strategic plan has many moving parts. Each part helps us move toward one destination: a thriving, inclusive, and prosperous region.

View Our Strategic Plan
Global Sustainable Development Goals
Regional Community and Economic Development Cornerstones
Our Strategic Priorities
UN Sustainable Development Goals wheel
DevelopMN Cornerstones wheel
WCIs Strategic Priorities

Our Impact

$78M

in grants

$59M

in loans

9,000

jobs created or retained

$299M

loan dollars leveraged

Learn More About Our Impact

News

Citizens’ Climate Lobby: Local & Bipartisan Efforts
Six Key Takeaways from Aspen Ideas: Climate
Griffin Peck and the City of Morris’ Sustainable Strategic Plan 2.0
Otto Bremer Trust Selects West Central Initiative as Philanthropic Intermediary Partner for New Community Responsive Fund    
View More News

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West Central Initiative
1 day ago
West Central Initiative

Are you interested in becoming more civically engaged or running for local office in west central Minnesota? Join the 2024 Run4Rural cohort or attend a Going Local workshop!

The Run4Rural program equips participants with all the tools and knowledge needed to carry out a campaign for local office for themselves or another candidate. Going Local workshops offer a refreshing approach to civic engagement and a guide to our local elections. Run4Rural trainings and Going Local workshops will take place across the region this spring. For more information and to apply to participate in the programs, visit wcif.org/rural-democracy. … See MoreSee Less

Are you interested in becoming more civically engaged or running for local office in west central Minnesota? Join the 2024 Run4Rural cohort or attend a Going Local workshop! The Run4Rural program equips participants with all the tools and knowledge needed to carry out a campaign for local office for themselves or another candidate. Going Local workshops offer a refreshing approach to civic engagement and a guide to our local elections. Run4Rural trainings and Going Local workshops will take place across the region this spring. For more information and to apply to participate in the programs, visit wcif.org/rural-democracy.Image attachment
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