Funds to benefit area agencies

Agency endowment funds are particularly useful to organizations whose contributions fluctuate with changing economic conditions. Donations to the funds will help ensure the future growth of the agencies.

Ability Building Center Foundation
Established 1996
People with disabilities and other special needs are overcoming barriers to employment and community access. Ability Building Center provides work and learning opportunities so people can choose their own path to becoming more productive and fulfilled.
Aldrich Memorial Nursery School
Established 2005
Aldrich Memorial Nursery School is a nationally accredited learning program for pre-school children. Its mission is to provide an inclusive, developmentally based program that fosters a child's physical, social, emotional and intellectual development focusing on interactive play. Aldrich offers financial assistance for those families who qualify.
Arc Southeastern Minnesota
Established 1993
Arc Southeastern Minnesota provides advocacy and support to persons with developmental disabilities and their families.
Bear Creek Services
Established 2008
The mission of Bear Creek Services is to provide the highest quality of support and services to individuals with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury. Bear Creek Services provides care for over 50 adults with developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury in 12 group homes throughout the Rochester area.
Byron School District Fund for Excellence
Established 1999
The Byron School District Fund for Excellence was established to stimulate and financially support creative projects that enhance and expand learning opportunities for all Byron students.
Camp Olson YMCA
Established 1997
Camp Olson YMCA is an independently operated YMCA camp located in the Northwoods of Minnesota. Camp Olson YMCA is accredited by the American Camping Association.
Channel One Inc.
Established 1997
Channel One's mission is to help feed people in need. Every dollar donated to Channel One makes it possible for programs to provide at least five meals that feed hungry people.
Chatfield Brass Band Music Lending Library/James Perkins Endowment
Established 2008
The Chatfield Music Lending Library is the only one of its kind in the world today. Founded in 1973 by the late James Perkins, the library is dedicated to the preservation of our musical heritage. The library has collected and cataloged more than 75,000 pieces, many of which are no longer in print.
Child Care Resource and Referral /
Deana Anderson Scholarship
Established 1995
This is a special scholarship fund established to provide unique services for high-risk preschool children who do not meet the eligibility criteria for other private and public funds. The family of Deana Anderson established the fund as a memorial.
Civic League Day Nursery /
Joan Gravett Scholarship
Established 1995
This scholarship fund allows a child to receive quality preschool child care when other sources for funding fall short. The fund was established in honor of Mrs. Gravett, who served nine years as a board member and 18 years as director of the nursery.
Dorothy Day Hospitality House
Established 2000
Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Rochester is open to people who have immediate needs in terms of food and temporary shelter. The house also is open to people who feel outside the mainstream of society and want to socialize there.
Friends of Mayowood Residence
and Historic Sites
Established 1993
Friends of Mayowood Residence is a voluntary organization dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the collection and the interior structure of the Mayowood residence.
Friends of Minnesota
Academic Excellence Foundation
Established 1992
The Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation is the primary advocate for promoting and recognizing the importance of academic excellence in Minnesota's elementary and secondary schools. The endowment supports academic excellence in southeastern Minnesota.
Greater Rochester Area University Center
Established 1996
The Greater Rochester Area University Center's purpose is to expand the presence of higher education within our region and to provide all citizens with improved access to quality programs and services that can meet their educational needs.
Scott Hosier Memorial Fund
Established 2005
The Scott Hosier Memorial Fund will be used for college scholarships for students at Rochester area schools. Funding will also be used for the development of the historical interpretation of the Wood Lake Battlefield, which was the last battle in the Minnesota Dakota War of 1862.
LGR Miracle Field
Established 2007
The LGR Miracle Field is the home of the Rochester-area adaptive baseball program, where individuals of all ages and abilities can play baseball on a barrier-free field.
Madonna Towers of Rochester Foundation
Established 1997
Madonna Towers is a continuing care retirement community. Its purpose is to provide high-quality compassionate care and services to its clients.
Olmsted County Historical Society
Established 2002
The Olmsted County Historical Society fund was established to interpret the past to enrich the future. Their mission is accomplished by collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of Olmsted County.
Quarry Hill Nature Center
Established 1996
Quarry Hill Nature Center has been a leader for environmental education in the Rochester community for over 35 years serving thousands of school children and families each year. This endowment helps Quarry Hill advocate getting children outdoors and experiencing nature and to fulfill its mission "Opening Eyes and Minds to Natural Science Discovery."
Reading Center / Dyslexia Institute of MN
Established 2007
The Reading Center, founded in 1951, is a non-profit organization that unites with individuals, families, and our community to overcome the challenges of unexpected difficulty learning to read, write, and spell, which are associated with dyslexia. Through expertly trained educational therapists and a scientifically proven, time-tested approach, we build confidence, inspire hope, and enhance success.
Rochester Area Family Y
Established 1984
The Family Y is providing for the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the individual, family and community through programs that develop the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Rochester Art Center
Established 1997
The Rochester Art Center's mission is to foster an appreciation and understanding of the art of our time through programs of exhibitions, classes, lectures, films, tours and outreach services and programs.
Rochester Civic Music
Established 1983
Rochester Civic Music produces a broad music program, including the free outdoors Down by the Riverside series and ticketed indoor concerts.
Rochester Civic Theatre
Established 1996
Rochester Civic Theatre is a non-profit, voluntary, community organization that educates and enriches the adults and young people of Rochester and southeast Minnesota through the production and performance of live theater.
Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation Fund / Douglass Scholarships
Established 1994
Rochester Community and Technical College Foundation created this fund from a generous bequest by Mrs. Helen M. Douglass. The Douglass Scholarships Fund is used for financially needy RCTC students who desire to continue their post-secondary education beyond a two-year degree at RCTC.
Rochester Music Guild's Scholarship Fund, Georgia Daniel,
Carter Douglas, Suddendorf and
Sally Duffy Memorial Scholarships
Established 1994
Rochester Music Guild is an organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting music appreciation, education and performance. The fund provides music scholarships for area high school students competing as instrumentalists, vocalists and pianists.
Rochester Orchestra and Chorale
Established 2001
Founded in 1919, the Rochester Orchestra & Chorale is a semi-professional ensemble that serves the region with a season of concerts and music education opportunities.
Rochester Public School Foundation
Established 2006
Mission: We are citizens acting as a catalyst to enrich and enhance the academic experience in Rochester Public School District #535. We believe an excellent education is the richest legacy we can leave our children.
Vision:
World-class education...parents dream of it, school districts set it as their goal, students crave it. It is the vision of the Rochester Public School Foundation to enhance educational excellence for all.
About the Foundation:
Rochester Public School Foundation (RPSF) is a unique pathway for Rochester citizens and businesses to enhance public education for its most valuable resource--its children. RPSF is based upon the ideal that our collective efforts to enhance educational opportunities for our children are far more powerful than our individual efforts alone. RPSF strives to make a significant and lasting impact to improve education for all of Rochester's public school students.
Rochester Orchestra and Chorale
Established 2001
Founded in 1919, the Rochester Orchestra & Chorale is a semi-professional ensemble that serves the region with a season of concerts and music education opportunities.
Ronald McDonald House of Rochester
Established 2008
The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester is a "home away from home" for seriously ill children and their families who seek medical care in our community. It is affectionately described as The House that Love Built because of the generous support of a caring community.
Seasons Hospice Endowment for Patient Care
Established 2000
Seasons Hospice is a community-based non-profit organization providing specialized care to dying persons. Hospice care is available to all terminally ill persons whose life expectancy is six months or less and when comfort is the goal of treatment.
Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Fund
Established 2004
This fund was established for the perpetual care of the Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial at Soldiers Field in Rochester. The fund was announced at Veterans Day ceremonies in November 2004 by area veterans, the city of Rochester and the Rochester Area Foundation.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO)
Established 2005
Founded in 2005, the Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the artistic and personal development of young instrumental musicians (grades 3-12). Our orchestras perform an inspiring repertoire of classical and contemporary music. We serve the Rochester community and southeastern region of Minnesota through performances, educational initiatives and small ensemble presentations.
Stewartville Public Schools Scholarships
Established 2000
The Stewartville Public School Scholarship Fund was created by several local private donations that provide scholarships for Stewartville High School students. Donors include J. Edward and Dorothy Brin, Halbert and Ruth Ringey Christofferson, Robert G. and Margaret E. Engel, Dr. A.O. and Helen Tews Hagen, Allan Heitman, Avis Manzow and Leona Engel.
Wing House
Established 2008
Since 1997, Wing House has provided a home-like environment for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Wing House's 22-bed facility in Rochester offers a supportive residential environment with occupational, physical and speech therapy available to all residents.
Zumbro Valley Medical Society Foundation Fund
Established 2004
The Zumbro Valley Medical Society celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2003. It is made up of spouses of physicians, resident physicians and medical students. Members have dedicated their energies to developing and implementing award-winning community health projects in Olmsted County, with particular emphasis on children.
Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center
Established 1994
Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center, founded in 1965, offers community services to meet the mental health needs of adults, children and families. Good behavioral health promotes healthy and productive lives.