The Owatonna Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of two grants recently approved by the Foundation’s’ Grants Committee. Incorporated in 1957, the Foundation has served the Owatonna community for 59 years, providing over $11.75 million dollars in financial support to meet the ever-changing needs of the community. The Foundation makes grants for capital purchases and improvements 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. Arts – with projects that support the fine arts, both visual and musical, and encouraging a diverse cultural environment. Recreation – with projects that help improve the recreational opportunities of Owatonna, offering all ages a recreational outlet throughout the year. Education – with scholarships and improvements promoting education and preserving the history of Owatonna. The Foundation provides over $30,000 annually for both traditional and non-traditional scholarships for youth and adults that are residents of, or work in, Owatonna.

A total of $8,897.00 dollars in grants were awarded as follows: $4,448.50 each to the Steele County Clothesline and the Steele County Food Shelf for a co-registration area. The Food Shelf and Clothesline currently share the same building and the criteria for their clients is the same. Having this new registration area will make client registration simpler, more user friendly, and more efficient. It will enable volunteers of both organizations to more easily serve the clients and allow staff to assist each other when necessary. “Both Maureen Schlobohm, (Director of the Clothesline) and myself are so grateful for this grant from the Owatonna Foundation. It will make both our jobs, the efforts of our volunteers, and our services more efficient and better for those we serve. As the need for services from both of our agencies grows, this new co-registration area will help us to make the best use of the resources we have for assisting our clients.” said Nancy Ness, Director of the Steele County Food Shelf.

“Each year we look forward to the time when grant submissions are presented to us. The two grants that were recently awarded will enhance Owatonna and provide the recipients with much needed assistance for them to complete their projects. One of the considerations of the Grants Committee is if the projects that are being presented have financial support from alternative entities other than just the Foundation. These grants that were awarded had support not only from the Owatonna Foundation, but also the support of the public and their own organizations. We are proud to be a part of so many worthwhile projects that will benefit our community now and in the future.” said Steve Smith, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee.

The Foundation encourages 501(C3) non-profit organizations who are working on a capital project in Owatonna and its environs to apply for grants.  The criteria are outlined on the Foundation’s website: www.owatonnafoundation.org. The next grant deadline is May 1, 2018.