The application period for Austin Area Foundation grants is now open and the Foundation is urging all nonprofits to apply by Sept. 1.

The grants are used to fund special projects, supplies or services to further their organizations mission.

Last year, the AAF awarded $22,000 in grants to nonprofits from the Austin/Mower County area to benefit local residents.

“We want more organizations to apply because it is our mission distribute the grants that come from people helping people,” said Jeff Baldus, Executive Director of Austin Area Foundation. “When you look at the projects and the causes that get funded it is easy to see why we’re excited. We create opportunities for the everyday donor to give ‘bigger’ as a group than what they could achieve and fund on their own. That is what our community foundation is all about.”

2017 Grant recipients

Arc of Mower County — $1,150

Austin Area Commission for the Arts — $1,000

Austin Artist Series — $500

Austin Color Guard — $1,000

Austin Symphony — $1,000

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon — $1,000

Cedar River Watershed District — $500

Freedom Fest — $1,000

Friends of the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center — $900

Gerard Academy — $750

Habitat for Humanity — $1,000

Hormel Historic Home — $600

Matchbox Children’s Theatre — $1,000

Mower County Agricultural Society — $800

Mower County Historical Society — $700

Northwestern Singers — $600

Peer Power Partners — $600

Rachel’s Hope — $1,000

Relay for Life — $500

Riverland Theatre — $600

Science Fair Mentoring Project  — $500

Second Addition — $750

Seibel Center — $2,000

St. Olaf BackPack Programs — $1,000

Summerset Theatre — $1,000

Wee Learning Center — $550