Mayo Clinic Awards Grant to Collider Foundation for Ongoing Operational Support

Rochester, Minnesota - Rochester 501(c)3 nonprofit Collider Foundation was recently awarded a grant by Mayo Clinic through their Community Contributions Program. This grant will support Collider’s ongoing work empowering early stage entrepreneurs throughout Rochester, Minnesota. This work will help local “starters”; people who have an idea that they want to move forward with, go from idea to action, operationalize their business plan, feel more connected to and supported by their community, and will help to set them up for long term business success.

Collider Foundation supports its mission through events, education, a coworking space, and storytelling for the community to help foster an inclusive, diverse, and healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. This grant award will allow programmatic and operational support of the foundation’s ongoing activities throughout 2023.

Collider Foundation believes that the support, education, and growth of our entrepreneurial ecosystem is a pathway to a more prosperous and inclusive future for the Rochester community. As an organization, Collider Foundation aims to identify and assist local innovators in overcoming barriers to success by empowering an impactful, inclusive, and entrepreneur-first ecosystem.

Executive director and entrepreneurial ecosystem builder, Amanda Leightner leads the Collider Foundation. She is supported in her efforts by the director of communications, Corrie Strommen. Juliana Silva, director of navigation, recently joined Collider to lead their work with entrepreneurs through resource navigation. As a solid and passionate team, they work toward building, educating, and substantiating the vibrant community of Rochester entrepreneurs.

“Collider is extremely grateful for Mayo Clinic's continued interest in our work. Their generous support will help us to continue to assist local entrepreneurs bring their business vision to life within the community."  says Leightner. 

If you have any questions about Collider or our work within the community, please contact Amanda Leightner at amanda@collider.mn or call (507) 722-0306.

Photo by Corrie Strommen.