The Initiators Fellowship is a program that supports early-stage social and environmental entrepreneurs located in Greater Minnesota. It is a joint initiative of four Minnesota Initiative Foundations and is designed to develop community-minded leaders while advancing social enterprises. The program specifically targets individuals who are in the process of starting a social enterprise—defined as a venture that integrates social or environmental impact directly into its mission and operations, and not merely through charitable giving.
The Fellowship supports individuals who have identified a social problem and begun developing a business model to address it. These ventures can be either nonprofit or for-profit but must include a revenue-generating plan and be rooted within the 53-county area and six Native nations served by the Minnesota Initiative Foundations. Applicants must be ready to invest considerable time into the fellowship and their enterprise, demonstrating a deep commitment to innovation and leadership in their communities.
Selected Fellows receive comprehensive support including business consulting, leadership development, and access to a supportive peer cohort. Fellows attend regular virtual trainings, quarterly in-person retreats, and signature events such as the Brain Trust. A key feature of the program is the pairing of each Fellow with a mentor and business coach to foster personal and professional development.
Financially, each Fellow receives an annual stipend of $30,000 to support their time investment in the program. In addition, Fellows are granted a $3,000 annual stipend designated for professional development and technical assistance, which can be used in accordance with a personalized plan created in consultation with the program manager.
Eligibility criteria include being at least 18 years old, residing and operating within the designated Greater Minnesota region, and being legally authorized to work in the United States. The program is inclusive, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds, and strongly encourages applications from women, non-binary people, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans.
The application for the 2026–2027 Fellowship cohort is currently open and closes at noon on June 16. While there is no nomination process, applicants must individually apply online. Contact information for further inquiries includes the Initiative Foundation at 405 First Street SE, Little Falls, MN 56345, with a phone number of (320) 632-9255 and toll-free line (877) 632-9255.
