The Austin Area Foundation seeks to enhance the community through charitable giving.

That’s how Michael Ruzek, foundation chairman, describes its purpose.

“Effective, positive and lasting changes can be achieved during and beyond one’s life when donors and community foundations become partners for community betterment,” Ruzek said.

“The AAF Board of Trustees and doors’ dedication to the mission of this foundation resulted in the most successful year in our brief history,” the foundation chair said.

The AAF was five years old in 2007.

The AAF’s Austin Legacy Endowment Fund grew from $55,354 to $91,234 in 12 months time, during 2007; an increase of 65 percent.

According to Ruzek, the growth can be attributed not only to large gifts, but to an increase in donors; now more than 500 total.

The announcement from the Hormel Foundation that it will donate $50,000 a year for three years to AAF was also hailed as a significant accomplishment.

Ruzek expressed the AAF board’s appreciation to Richard L. Knowlton, chairman and the Hormel Foundation board for supporting AAF’s efforts.

Ruzek and the AAF board spend two years negotiating with the Hormel Foundation and Ruzek said one thing that impressed the Hormel Foundation board members was “that the AAF has been able to show significant progress each year since 2003.”

Last year, the AAF distributed $16,069 to 10 organizations that serve the Austin area.

Earnings from the Legacy Endowment Fund and other unrestricted monies totaling $5,769 were used for grants by application.

“This is the first time in the history of AAF that this type of grant was able to be awarded and there were four organizations who were the recipients,” Ruzek explained.

Through separate donor-advised funds, six other organizations received financial support from AAF in 2007.

Last year, AAF donor advised distributions included Austin Legacy Endowment Fund, Austin Community Scholarship Fund, St. Mark’s Lutheran Home Healing Gardens, Meals On Wheels, Mower County American Red Cross, Salvation Army Austin Corps Food Shelf and Hormel Institute.

For more information about assisting the AAF, contact Ruzek.