The Austin Area Foundation is encouraging community nonprofit organizations, schools and groups to submit applications for its upcoming grant distribution process.

Nonprofit agencies and organizations have until Sept. 1 to submit applications. Each year, AAF selects and awards grants to support a variety of local projects to benefit the community.

“This is an exciting time for Austin Area Foundation as we find out what the needs of our community are,” Executive Director Jeff Baldus said in a press release. “Through the grants AAF distributes, those who support AAF will achieve their mission of helping people in the community in meaningful, important ways.”

Applications can be found at Austin Public Library, the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Austin Area Foundation website www.austinareafoundation.org.

A list of all past grant recipients and projects can be found at the Austin Area Foundation’s website.

2013 Austin Area Foundation Grants

•Austin Arts Festival Children’s Activities $1,500

•Austin Community Band Maintaining concert series $500

•AHS Band Tenor Saxophone $1,500

•Austin Symphony Concert Support $2,500

•Matchbox Theatre Production Costs $800

•Children’s Dental Heath Happy Smiles Kits $1,500

•Cornerstone Church Car Repair Clinic $600

•Hormel Institute Promo for Paint the Town Pink $1,500

•Mower County Historical Society WWII Exhibit  $1,500

•Northwestern Singers Instrumentalists & carpenter $1,500

•Parenting Resource Center for three video resources $540

•St. Olaf  Back Pack Program Food resources for hungry $1,500

•Southern Minnesota Women’s Center, diapers $500

•Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Celebration $1,000

Total:  $17,000