The Austin Area Foundation is reminding interested organizations and groups of the upcoming application deadline — Sept. 1 — for its annual awarding of grants.

Each year the Austin Area Foundation awards grants to local organizations, and past recipients include the Austin Dog Park, Matchbox Children’s Theatre, the ARC of Mower County, the Mower County Humane Society, and special interest groups within the school system. Applications are available at austinareafoundation.org, or hard copies are available at the Austin Public Library or the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.

Applications may be mailed to Austin Area Foundation, PO Box 6, Austin, MN, 55912.

Austin Area Foundation’s mission is to enhance the community through charitable giving and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Founded by Executive Director Mike Ruzek in 2003, AAF has established a growing “legacy fund” as a way for area residents to give to the community ad infinitum.