About the Foundation

Funds are provided for capital additions or improvements, including new buildings and equipment, or necessary alterations of existing facilities for both new and existing organizations.

Grants

The Owatonna Foundation issues grants only to organizations, not individuals, in the Owatonna area recognized by the IRS as 501 (c) 3 organizations (tax exempt).

Grant applications must have direct relevance to Owatonna and benefit a substantial number of citizens.

Funds are provided for capital type projects, not for operating expenses.

Grant deadlines are May 1st and September 1st. The Executive Committee reviews all grant applications and makes recommendations to the Trustees for approval.

Grants of $25,000 or less can be approved by the Executive Committee. Grants in excess of $25,000 must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

About the Foundation

Our History
The Owatonna Foundation was incorporated in 1958, but the roots of citizen involvement in Owatonna go back to the 1800s. Owatonna Foundation is one of the few foundations of its type in a community of our size. It was established with one goal, to improve the quality of life for present and future generations, safekeeping a spirit of belonging and sharing to pass along from our forefathers to our grandchildren. From 2004 to 2007, the Foundation granted over $4 million in support of projects in our community.

Philanthropic Commitment in Our Community
With each passing year it is evident that philanthropic intent and commitment to strengthen our community is strong among the citizens of Owatonna. Individuals, families and businesses entrust the Foundation to manage and distribute their charitable gifts through grants and scholarships. Their endowed funds have helped preserve our history and respond to the changing needs of our community.

Board of Trustees
The Owatonna Foundation is made up of 35 civic-minded trustees who volunteer their time to evaluate and decide the distribution of funds in the form of grants for specific community projects. Twelve of these trustees are elected to an Executive Committee that meets to review and discuss grant applications and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

Building for a Better Tomorrow
The purpose of this Foundation, carried on in the City of Owatonna, is to receive gifts and grants of money and property of every kind and nature and administer the same for the following purposes: civic, community betterment, education, health, literary, recreation, science, music and cultural projects.

Supporting the Community
The Owatonna Foundation has made and continues to make major contributions to the welfare of our community. To meet the ever-changing needs of the community, the Foundation has helped with grants to various support groups for capital purchases and improvements. Each year the Foundation receives and evaluates requests for funding that touch every aspect of our lives in the following categories:

Community - with projects that have an impact on the quality of life of the people of Owatonna, and the parks and places they use and enjoy.
Education - with scholarships and improvements promoting literary and scientific ventures and preserving the history of Owatonna.
The Arts - with projects that support fine arts, both visual and musical, and encouraging a diverse cultural environment.
Recreation - with projects that help improve the recreational diversity of Owatonna, offering all ages a recreational outlet throughout the year.

Investing in Ideas, Visions and People
The Owatonna Foundation isn’t just about deciding where to spend endowed funds, it’s about investing in ideas, visions and people. The Foundation takes a strong leadership role not only by providing financial support, but also by offering fresh perspectives on emerging community needs. The Foundation realizes that ideas today can become something great for our children and grandchildren. And when the Foundation grants funds to innovative programs it can often launch fund-raising initiatives that engage the community and jump-start a group of volunteers with energy and enthusiasm, to provide the impetus for success.

Touching Lives
The bottom line is that the Owatonna Foundation touches the lives of every citizen in our community. It helps to shape the future of our community by funding projects that make a difference in our lives and will make a difference in the lives of future generations.