After 26 years CURE needs a “Nip & Tuck”!

CURE Building Nip & Tuck

CURE has qualified for a $25,000 Small Cities Commercial Rehabilitation Grant that we’ll receive if we raise a $7,500 match. This match will help us with more than 50% of our renovation project.  The To-Do-List includes replacing the front windows and doors, point-tucking the bricks on the lower level, resurfacing the upper level, recapping the overhang, updating the signage, replacing the back stairs and deck that provide access to the street level, and the remodel of a bathroom on the upper level of the building.

The total cost of the “Nip & Tuck” is estimated at $48,500.  Your gift will be matched 3:1 with our grant up to $25,000:$7,500. Beyond that grant, we need to raise an additional $16,000 to complete the project.  We can do this with your help! Every gift gets us that much closer to our goal of $23,500.

To put it plainly, CURE is a rural organization made up of people who care about the well-being of their neighbors, the health of the land and water, and the legacy we leave for future generations. Being a rural-based organization means our office is located on the main street of Montevideo a town of about 5000 people in southwest Minnesota. Maintaining an old building has its challenges, but we feel it’s important to keep our physical presence here as we work on the issues of rural democracy, civic engagement, energy democracy—advocating for locally owned and locally produced power, and a water ethic for Minnesota.

However, we aren’t funded to keep our old building functioning. Thus, we come to you, our members and community, to help us keep our building safe and functional for a little while longer. When we don’t need to worry about the building’s overhang falling down, it’s easier to focus the important issues we tackle every day.

Thank you for investing in CURE’s “nip & tuck” to keep our building, and rural communities strong!

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Kelsey Olson

Kelsey Olson

Director of Environmental Stewardship

Kelsey Olson (she/her) joined CURE in 2025 as its Director of Environmental Stewardship. As a skilled environmental naturalist, Kelsey’s work focuses broadly on environmental education and advocacy with a keen focus on rural land use and how that use impacts our environment and climate. Working Lands, how land is used to support agriculture and forestry, is a key focus of her work. She brings 15 years’ experience in public communication, environmental education, and rural community engagement – strong communication strategies are core in her work. This includes two terms of service with AmeriCorps in the VISTA program in Oregon and Maryland and a nearly 10-year career as a naturalist followed. She recently worked on communications and marketing for rural economic development.

Kelsey lives in New London, MN, with her young children, husband, dog, and two cats. They enjoy spending time together outside and finding small treasures in nature. Visits to Minneapolis often include visits to one of their favorite historical museums, the Minnesota Swedish Institute. Kelsey enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, whether this is canning local produce, making kombucha, or other treats!