The Hormel Foundation recently approved more than $4.1 million in contributions for 2009. In the last 40 years, the foundation has contributed in excess of $68 million to the Austin area.

The University of Minnesota’s Hormel Institute is the principal recipient of The Hormel Foundation’s contributions, as established in 1942 by an agreement between the board of regents of the University of Minnesota and The Hormel Foundation. Funds received by The Hormel Institute are used to conduct research and education in the biological sciences. Institute research projects currently relate to heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. The institute derives most of its operating budget through grants and contracts from the National Institutes of Health and other agencies.

In addition to The Hormel Institute, grants were approved for the benefit of the following Austin area organizations:

American Red

Cross-Mower County Chapter

Austin Area Foundation

ARC Mower County

Austin Spamtown Freedom Festival

Austin Community Scholarship

Committee

Austin Fire Department

Austin Medical Center

Austin Public

Education Foundation Inc.

Cedar Valley Services Inc.

City of Austin

Girl Scout Council of River

Trails Inc.

Habitat for Humanity

Hormel Historic Home

Mediation Center

Mower Council for

the Handicapped Inc.

Mower County Mentoring Program

Parenting Resource Center

Salvation Army

Twin Valley Boy Scout Council

United Way of Mower County Inc.

Wapiti Meadows Community

Technologies and Services

Welcome Center

YMCA of Austin

The income from the gift of the Estate of the late Edna Denbow Schrafel is used partially to fund the grant to the Austin Public Education Foundation.

The Hormel Foundation also serves as trustee for the Geo. A. Hormel Testamentary Trust. The 2009 contribution budget for the Testamentary Trust is in the amount of $75,000. This Trust has contributed more than $3 million to the Austin area since inception in 1947.

The following Mower County organizations will benefit from the Testamentary Trust:

American Legion Post 91

Apple Lane Child Care Center

Austin Jr. All Stars Baseball Inc.

Austin Area Catholic Schools

Austin Area Commission

for the Arts

Austin Area VFW Post No. 1216

Austin Convention and Visitors

Bureau

Austin Girls Youth Fast Pitch

Association

Austin Symphony Orchestra

Austin Youth Baseball

Austin Youth Basketball

Austin Youth Football

Austin Youth Hockey

City of Austin-Chamber of

Commerce

Girl Scout Council of River Trails

Inc.

Hormel Historic Home Inc.

KSMQ Public Television

Matchbox Children’s Theatre

Math Masters of Minnesota

Meals on Wheels

Mower County Historical Society

Mower County Humane Society

The Northwestern Singers

Austin area organizations wishing to benefit from contributions of The Hormel Foundation in 2010 should submit an application before Sept. 1, 2009.

Applications can be obtained by contacting The Hormel Foundation or by visiting their Web site at www.thehormelfoundation.com.