The Hormel Foundation is giving $5.7 million to Austin this year.

The Foundation recently approved more than $5.7 million in contributions to numerous Austin-area organizations, with the main recipient being The Hormel lnstitute.

The lnstitute performs world-renowned cancer research and is the principal recipient of The Foundation’s contributions, as established in 1942 by an agreement between the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and The Hormel Foundation. The Hormel Institute conducts research and education in the biological sciences with the major focus on cancer prevention and control, and is a research partner with Mayo Clinic.

Since its inception in 1941, The Hormel Foundation, a nonprofit organization, has contributed over $85 million to the Austin area.

“The legacy of George A. and Jay C. Hormel in establishing The Hormel Foundation continues to strengthen Austin yet today,” said Gary Ray, Vice Chair of The Foundation. “We can all be thankful for their vision and foresight in establishing a structure where funds can be provided to support important and meaningful programs for the benefit of people in our community.”

The income from the estate of the late Edna Denbow Schrafel is used partially to fund the grant to the Austin Public Schools. Distributions from the Adelaide Holton estate fund an endowed professorship for The Hormel lnstitute.

The Hormel Foundation approved grants to the following Austin area organizations:

AMCAT, Apple Lane Child Care, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Austin Area Foundation, Austin Community Scholarship Committee, Austin Fire Department, Austin Public Library, Austin Public Schools, Austin Spamtown USA Freedom Festival, Cedar Valley Services Inc., Children’s Dental Health Services, City of Austin, Girl Scout Council of River Trails Inc., Hormel Historic Home, Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Mower Council for the Handicapped Inc., Parenting Resource Center, The Salvation Army, Twin Valley Boy Scout Council, United Way of Mower County Inc., Wapiti Meadows Community Technologies and Services, Welcome Center, and the YMCA of Austin.

The Hormel Foundation also serves as trustee for the Geo. A. Hormel Testamentary Trust. The 2012 contribution budget for the Testamentary Trust is in the amount of $65,000. This Trust has contributed over $3 million to the Austin area since its inception in 1946. The following Austin area organizations will benefit from the Testamentary Trust:

Adams Town & County Pool Atlas of Austin, Austin Area Art Center, Austin Area Commission for the Arts, Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau, Austin Girls Youth Fast Pitch Association, Austin Jr. All-Star Baseball, Inc., Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Youth Baseball, Austin Youth Basketball, Austin Youth Football, Austin Youth Hockey, Austin Youth Soccer, Girl Scout Council of River Trails Inc., Habitat for Humanity, Hormel Historic Home, Math Masters of Minnesota, Mower County Historical Society, Mower County Humane, Society Northwestern Singers, Parenting Resource Center, C.A.B., Riverside Figure Skating Club, Southern Minnesota Women’s Center/Rachel’s Hope Southland ISD 500.

Austin area organizations wishing to benefit from contributions from The Hormel Foundation in 2013 should submit an application before Sept. 1, 2012. Applications can be obtained by contacting The Hormel Foundation or by visiting the Foundation’s website at www.thehormelfoundation.com.