Previous Grants

Please note that all funding for grants currently comes from the Austin Legacy Endowment Fund. That fund is restricted to organizations based in Austin.

The AAF is currently establishing a second endowment fund that will be utilized to support the awarding of grants to organizations in the rest of Mower County and the surrounding areas. This fund is entitled the Greater Austin Area and Mower County Endowment Fund. Because it is just being established in January, 2021, no grants will be awarded until the corpus of the fund reaches a value of $25,000. At that time, a separate application form will be created and the awarding of grants can begin.

  • $1,000

    Austin Area Arts

    $5 Kids Studio Art Classes

  • $925

    Austin Area Chamber/Discover

    Portable sound system

  • $1,250

    Austin Symphony Orchestra

    Supplemental budget support for performances

  • $1,000

    Austin Tutoring Association

    Free one to one tutoring for low income children

  • $1,500

    Catherwood Home Child Care

    Partial funding of Catherwood driveway repairs

  • $2,000

    Cedar River Watershed District

    Creating a walk-in access to Turtle Creek

  • $1,000

    Community Ed/Readers' Café

    Purchase books for Readers' Café

  • $2,000

    Friends of Hormel Nature Center

    Purchase People Counters for trails

  • $200

    Hormel Historic Home

    Funding no-cost Half Pints field trips

  • $3,000

    Hot Meals on Wheels, Inc.

    Meals to be delivered to elderly/disabled residents

  • $1,000

    I J Holton/Hormel Institute

    Provide buses for students to visit Hormel Institute

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children's Theatre

    Provide live theater experience for Sumner students

  • $500

    Mower County Historical Society

    Updating digital camera equipment for preservation

  • $1,680

    Neveln/Matchbox Theater

    280 tickets @ $6 each

  • $1,000

    Parenting Resource Center

    Purchase diapers & wipes for diaper bank program

  • $2,000

    Rachel's Hope

    Diapers & supplies for Earn While You Learn program

  • $2,000

    St. Olaf Backpack program

    Purchase food for Head Start program children

  • $2,000

    Salvation Army/Feed a Family

    Purchase food for qualified persons for Christmas

2020 Total

$25,055

  • $900

    Austin Aspires

    Implementation of Junior Achievement Program

  • $500

    Austin Community Band

    Summer music/concert series in the park

  • $1,000

    Austin Symphony

    Partial Sponsorship of Program / “Out of this World”

  • $500

    Cedar River Watershed District

    Outreach materials & ads to raise awareness of Trout Fishing

  • $500

    First Congregational Church

    Partial offset of speaking fee’s

  • $1,500

    Freedom Fest 2020

    Funding for July 4th parade bands

  • $1,600

    Friends of the Hormel Nature Center

    Planting small orcard for cidering classes / pollination

  • $1,000

    Hormel Historic Home

    Transportation costs to and from HHH. Snacks & activities

  • $1,000

    Hot Meals on Wheels

    To pay for the delivery of hot meals

  • $1,558

    KAUS, Hy-Vee, Feed a Family

    Food for the holidays

  • $1,000

    LIFE Mower County

    Funding support 2nd year of 4-H Adventure Club for clients

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theater

    Help with production costs shows.

  • $1,000

    Mower County Historical Society

    Assist with updating one room schoolhouse and buildings

  • $1,000

    Neveln School

    Matchbox Childrens Theatre Tickets

  • $1,000

    Northwestern Singers

    Help with December show set building

  • $500

    Pacelli

    Assist with Eagle Bluff Trip for grades 6 – 8 — (55) Students

  • $1,000

    Parenting Resource Center

    Purchase Diapers and Baby Wipes

  • $1,600

    Peer Power Partners

    Year-end Team Building activity at Eagle Bluff

  • $1,000

    Rachel’s Hope

    Supplies and Diapers for Earn While You Learn program

  • $1,000

    Science Fair Mentoring Project

    Support the Science Fair Mentoring Project at Southgate

  • $750

    Second Edition

    Offset cost’s for performing at area Nursing Homes

  • $1,500

    St. Olaf BackPack Programs

    Provide Supplemental Weekend Food for Austin Children

  • $1,000

    Summerset Theatre

    Assist with production costs of 53rd Season Shows

  • $1,500

    Welcome Center

    Taste of Nations Celebration

  • $1,592

    Workforce Development

    Community resource area seating upgrade & activity area

  • $500

    Zonta Club

    Purchase & Fill Cinch Bags for “More Than Pink” participants

2019 Total

$27,000

  • $500

    Arc of Mower County

    Support 4-H activities for children with Special Needs

  • $700

    Austin Area Arts

    Purchase Glass Kiln

  • $1,000

    Austin Artist Series

    Help pay for venue & technical support

  • $500

    Austin Community Band

    Summer music/concert series in the park

  • $1,000

    Austin Congregational UCC

    11 Cultural Programs primarily for children 2 – 12

  • $1,500

    Austin Symphony

    Partial Sponsorship of Program

  • $1,500

    Cedar River Watershed District

    We Are Water MN hosting

  • $1,000

    Freedom Fest 2019

    Finance Free Kid Activities

  • $1,500

    Friends of the Hormel Nature Center

    Purchase 3 Permanent Honeybee Hives

  • $1,000

    Gerard Academy

    Art Education classes with AACA

  • $1,000

    Hormel Historic Home

    Bussing for students K-6

  • $1,000

    I. J. Holton School

    Bussing for 6th graders to the Hormel Institute

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theater

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $1,000

    Mower County Historical Society

    Assist with creating an Agriculture Display

  • $1,000

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists and carpenter

  • $150

    Parenting Rescource Center

    Pay for postage and DVD’s for our “Read to Me” project

  • $1,600

    Peer Power Partners

    Year-end Team Building activity at Eagle Bluff

  • $1,500

    Rachel’s Hope

    Supplies for Earn While you Learn Program

  • $1,500

    Science Fair Mentoring Project

    Starting programs at Southgate and Adult Learning Center

  • $750

    Second Addition

    Offset costs for Nursing Home Performances

  • $300

    Seibel Center

    Enhance activities at the center

  • $1,500

    Summerset Theatre

    Assisit with production costs for 52nd season

  • $500

    Zonta

    Supplies for “Bolt Bags”

2018 Total

$23,000

  • $1,150

    Arc of Mower County

    Security System

  • $1,000

    Austin Area Commission for the Arts

    New Movie Screen at Paramount

  • $500

    Austin Artist Series

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $1,000

    Austin Color Guard

    Help with New Color Guard Uniforms

  • $1,000

    Austin Symphony

    Partial Sponsorship of Program

  • $1,000

    Beyond the Yellow Ribbon

    Sponsorship of Traveling Vietnam Wall

  • $500

    Cedar River Watershed District

    Historical Signage

  • $1,000

    Freedom Fest 2018

    Finance festival events & activities

  • $900

    Friends of the Hormel Nature Center

    Purchase Digital Cameras

  • $750

    Gerard Academy

    Play Therapy Supplies

  • $1,000

    Habitat for Humanity

    Safety Equipment Upgrades

  • $600

    Hormel Historic Home

    Bus Cost for Student Program

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theater

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $800

    M.C. Agricultural Society

    Entertainment for Youth at Fairgrounds

  • $700

    M.C. Historical Society

    Phase 2 – Collection Shelving Project

  • $600

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists and carpenter

  • $600

    Peer Power Partners

    Purchase Twin’s Tickets for PPP Students

  • $1,000

    Rachel’s Hope

    Supplies for Earn While you Learn Program

  • $500

    Relay for Life

    Annual Survivor Dinner

  • $600

    Riverland Theatre

    Underwrite 200 Tickets

  • $500

    Science Fair Mentoring Project

    Science Fair Boot Camp for Parents

  • $750

    Second Addition

    Help with Performance Costs

  • $2,000

    Seibel Center

    New Server to Run Security Cameras

  • $1,000

    St. Olaf Backpack Program

    Purchase food for Head Start children

  • $1,000

    Summerset Theatre

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $550

    Wee Learning Center

    Furnish new classroom with Quality Toys

2017 Total

$22,000

  • $9,000

    Austin Area Commission for the Arts

    Craft sessions for area youth

  • $800

    Austin Community Band

    Summer music/concert series in the park

  • $2,000

    Austin Symphony

    Sponsorship of Program

  • $2,000

    Cedar River Watershed District

    Purchase materials for river access

  • $750

    Faith Church

    Community Car Care Clinic

  • $1,000

    Freedom Fest 2017

    Finance festival events & activities

  • $1,200

    Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

    Puppet Theatre & Puppets

  • $350

    Hormel Historic Home

    Kids petting zoo

  • $2,000

    KAUS, Hy-Vee, Feed a Family

    Food for the holidays

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theater

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $1,500

    Mower County Seniors, Inc.

    Senior Advocacy/Caregiver Program

  • $1,200

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists and carpenter

  • $500

    Rachel’s Hope

    Purchase Diapers for infants

  • $810

    Real Hope for the Hungry

    Cover the cost’s for “MealPack” for Austin Salvation Army

  • $1,000

    Salvation Army

    Purchase food for Thanksgiving Baskets

  • $2,000

    St. Olaf Backpack Program

    Purchase food for Head Start children

  • $2,000

    Summerset Theatre

    Help with production costs for shows

2016 Total

$29,110

  • $1,200

    MatchboxChildren’s Theater

    Help with production costs for shows

  • $700

    Austin Community Band

    Summer music/concert series in the park

  • $1,500

    Gerard Academy

    Children’s Supplies

  • $1,400

    Children’s Dental Health Services

    750 Happy Smiles Kits

  • $2,000

    Austin Symphony

    Sponsorship of Program

  • $1,000

    Freedom Fest 2016

    Finance festival events & activities

  • $500

    Rachel’s Hope

    Purchase Diapers for infants

  • $1,650

    Austin Area Commission for the Arts

    Loading Dock repair & Handicap Seating

  • $550

    Hormel Historic Home

    History for Half Pints programming

  • $500

    Edition II Inc.

    Offset performance fees to Nursing Homes

  • $500

    AHS Clay Target Team

    Team Expenses

  • $1,500

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists and carpenter

  • $500

    Austin Park & Recreation

    Pickleball League Equipment

  • $500

    Faith Church

    Community Car Care Clinic

  • $1,500

    Mower County Seniors, Inc.

    Senior Advocacy/Caregiver Program

  • $500

    Habitat For Humanity – Freeborn/Mower

    Purchase a Table Saw

  • $2,000

    Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

    Animal Track sensory Table

  • $2,000

    KAUS, Hy-Vee, Feed a Family

    Food for the holidays

  • $1,000

    Friend’s of the Shooting Star Trail

    Help build and Maintain Mountain Bike Trail

2015 Total

$21,000

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theater

    The Wizard of Oz production expenses

  • $400

    Austin Community Band

    Summer music/concert series in the park

  • $1,000

    Austin High School Band

    Purchase of French horn

  • $750

    Children’s Dental Health Services

    750 Happy Smiles Kits

  • $500

    Austin Symphony

    Graffiti-to-Art program

  • $500

    Freedom Fest 2015

    Finance festival events & activities

  • $500

    Rachel’s Hope

    Diapers

  • $1,000

    Parenting Resource Center

    Healthy snacks & use of facilities for disadvantaged children

  • $1,000

    Welcome Center

    Items for Personal Care Shelf

  • $750

    African Asian Refugee Services Agency

    website

  • $1,500

    St. Olaf Back Pack Program

    Purchase food to send home

  • $1,000

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists and carpenter

  • $750

    Austin Youth Baseball

    Baseball Clinic

  • $1,000

    Mower County Seniors, Inc.

    Healthy eating classes for seniors

  • $1,000

    Mower County Seniors, Inc.

    Senior Advocacy/Caregiver Program

  • $600

    Habitat For Humanity – Freeborn/Mower

    Materials for A Brush with Kindness Program

  • $1,948

    Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

    Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

  • $1,802

    KAUS, Hy-Vee, Feed a Family

    Food for the holidays

2014 Total

$17,000

  • $1,500

    Austin Arts Festival

    Children’s Activities

  • $500

    Austin Comm. Band

    Maintaining concert series

  • $1,500

    AHS Band

    Tenor Saxophone

  • $2,500

    Austin Symphony

    Concert Support

  • $800

    Matchbox Theatre

    Production Costs

  • $1,500

    Children’s Dental Heath

    Happy Smiles Kits

  • $600

    Cornerstone Church

    Car Repair Clinic

  • $1,500

    Hormel Institute

    Promo for Paint the Town Pink

  • $1,500

    MC Historical Society

    WW II Exhibit

  • $1,500

    Northwestern Singers

    Instrumentalists & carpenter

  • $540

    Parenting Resource Center

    3 video resources

  • $1,500

    St. Olaf Back Pack Program

    Food resources for hungry

  • $500

    S. MN. Women’s Center

    Diapers

  • $1,000

    Chamber of Commerce

    4th of July Celebration

2013 Total

$16,940

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theatre

    Production costs for Pinocchio

  • $500

    Historic Paramount Theatre

    Card access reader

  • $2,500

    Austin Symphony

    Concert sponsorship

  • $1,200

    M. C. Historical

    Large format scanner

  • $1,200

    Children’s dental health

    Happy Smiles Kits

  • $1,000

    Summerset Theatre

    Production funding

  • $1,500

    MC Advocacy

    Classes for advocates

  • $700

    Austin Comm. Band#

    Operational costs

  • $1,000

    Freedom Fest ’13

    Events & activities

  • $1,000

    St. Olaf Back Pack Program

    Weekend food bags

  • $1,000

    MC Humane Society#

    Cages for cats & kittens

  • $650

    PRC

    Refrigerator for Catherwood Home

  • $750

    Cornerstone Church

    Car repair for single moms

  • $1,000

    Arc Mower County

    Scholarship Funds

2012 Total

$15,000

  • $1,000

    Matchbox Children’s Theatre

    Production Costs

  • $700

    Historic Paramount Theatre

    Basement Lobby Remodel

  • $1,500

    Austin Symphony

    Concert sponsorship

  • $1,000

    M. C. Historical

    Microfilm Records

  • $1,000

    Children’s dental health

    Happy Smiles Kits

  • $1,000

    Northwestern Singers

    Production funding

  • $1,000

    MC Advocacy

    Caregiver Program Expenses

  • $500

    Austin Area Art Center

    Operational costs

  • $1,000

    Seibel Center

    Visits for Families

  • $800

    Austin Page Turners

    Author Visit

  • $1,500

    Habitat for Humanity

    Materials

  • $1,000

    Mayo Clinic Health System

    Expansion costs

2011 Total

$12,000

  • $500

    Chamber of Commerce

    Access Scholarships

  • $1,150

    Salvation Army

    Family Food

  • $1,500

    Austin Symphony Orchestra

    Concert (Including for Students)

  • $750

    Mower County Historical Society

    Multi-Media Screen, PA System

  • $900

    Children’s dental health

    Happy Smiles Kits

  • $1,000

    Hormel Historic Home

    Autism Day Camp

  • $600

    Mower County Humane Society

    Cages for Cats

  • $600

    United Way of Mower County

    Coat Project

2010 Total

$7,000

  • $900

    Matchbox Children’s Theatre

    Support for Little Red Riding Hood production

  • $1,000

    Hormel Historic Home

    Day camp for elementary students with autism

  • $1,500

    Austin Symphony Orchestra

    Partial sponsorship of David Hays concert

  • $420

    Mower County Historical Society

    Video equipment for oral history project

  • $416

    Mower County Senior Services

    Volunteer training

  • $1,000

    Mower County Veterans Project

    Operating cost of fund raising etc. for memorial

  • $420

    Mower County Humane Society

    Sink in dog kennel area

  • $344

    Austin Catholic Schools

    Cork display strips for student art work display

2009 Total

$6,000

  • $1,000

    Mower County Humane Society

    Flooring

  • $900

    Mower County Red Cross

    Training for babysitters

  • $1,200

    Mower County Historical Society

    Computer System

  • $1,200

    Austin Symphony Orchestra

    General support

  • $1,200

    Woodson Kindergarten Center

    Books & other materials

  • $500

    Historic Paramount Theatre

    Tweaksters program

2008 Total

$6,000

  • $2,000

    American Red Cross

    Training Manikin

  • $934

    Mower County Historical Society

    Past Perfect Software

  • $2,000

    Parenting Resource Center

    4 Real Care Dolls

  • $835

    Austin Catholic Schools

    Percussion Instruments

2007 Total

$5,769

Need Funding to Grow?

If your organization is looking to be funded, contact us and the AAF will then contact you to move forward with the process. Please note that the annual grant application is due September 1st of each year.