Who are grants made to?
The Rochester Area Foundation makes grants in the fields of
arts and culture, community development, education, human services
and recreation in the greater Rochester area. Your organization must be one of the following to be eligible to receive grant funding: a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization, a government unit (city, township, county), or a government-created organization such as a public agency.
How do I apply for a grant?
Your organization may apply for a grant from the Rochester Area
Foundation by clicking below and downloading and printing out the
pre-application for grants. When you submit your pre-application, be
sure to submit seven copies to the foundation's offices. Our
distribution committee will review your pre-application and ask
our Board of Trustees to vote on it at an upcoming meeting.
To download the pre-application grant form, click below:
Pre-application grant form
What do I do when the pre-application
is approved?
If the Board of Trustees approves your pre-application for a grant,
you will be notified and asked to submit a full application to the
foundation. To download the necessary form, please click below:
Full application grant form
What are the deadlines for grant
applications?
The Rochester Area Foundation has three grant cycles each year.
Below is a list of the cycles and important dates you will
need to know:
Cycle 1: Pre-application (seven copies) is due in our offices by Jan. 1.
You will be notified by the foundation whether or not your
pre-application is approved by late January. If your pre-application
is approved, you will need to submit a full application by March 1.
Our distribution committee will review your full application
and a decision will be made by the foundation's Board of Trustees
by late April.
Cycle 2: Pre-application (seven copies) is due in our offices by
May 1. You will be notified by the foundation whether or not
your pre-application is approved by late May. If your pre-application
is approved, you will need to submit a full application by July 1.
Our distribution committee will review your full application and
a decision will be made by the foundation's Board of Trustees by
late August.
Cycle 3: Pre-application (seven copies) is due in our offices
by Sept. 1. You will be notified by the foundation whether or
not your pre-application is approved by late September. If
your pre-application is approved, you will need to submit a
full application by Nov. 1. Our distribution committee will
review your full application and a decision will be made by
the foundation's Board of Trustees by late December.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about the Rochester Area Foundation's grant
process, please
or call him at
507.424.3755, Ext. 102.
Recent Competitive Grants
CYCLE 3, 2007 AWARDS:
A.C.T. Now, Rochester, MN - $10,000 to support a program that will place Automated External Defibrillators and provide CPR training in Olmsted County Schools.
FACES, Rochester, MN - $1,500 to provide one scholarship for nonprofit participation in the inaugural cohort of Collaborative Leadership Fellows.
Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest, Rochester, MN - $5,000 to help fund the JA America Works! curriculum, which will be delivered to 6th grade students at John Adams Middle School.
Paws and Claws Humane Society, Rochester, MN - $25,000 to assist with the construction of a new animal shelter.
Readers of the Lost Art, Plainview, MN - $3,000 to support a student-led project to build a traveling collection of multicultural items to promote understanding, enjoyment and respect for other cultures.
Rochester Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Rochester, MN - $5,000 to help fund the Honk*Squeak*Scratch*Boom: Sounds of Symphony program, which introduces elementary school children to classical music and instruments.
CYCLE 2, 2007 AWARDS:
Apple Tree Dental, Minneapolis, MN - $25,000 to help establish a Rochester Eldercare Program that delivers on-site dental care to disabled adults and frail elders in the area.
FamilyMeans, Rochester, MN - $10,600 to support free and fee-based credit counseling and financial education services.
History Center of Olmsted County, Rochester, MN - $20,000 to assist with the implementation of an inventory survey for the History Center's three-dimensional collections.
Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota, Rochester, MN - $7,500 to support a project to provide a regular music instructor at the Boys & Girls Club in Rochester.
Ironwood Springs Christian Ranch, Stewartville, MN - $25,000 to assist with the completion of a wheelchair-friendly lodge.
CYCLE 1, 2007 AWARDS:
Accessible Space, Inc., St. Paul, MN - $7,500 to support the Assisted Living Plus Project at their Rochester site, Bostrom Terrace.
American Red Cross - Southeast Minnesota Chapter, Rochester, MN - $6,039 to replace CPR training manikins used by students in the Rochester school district.
Camp Olson YMCA, Longville, MN - $20,000 to assist with the purchase of new windows and doors for the camp's 55-year-old dining hall.
Channel One, Rochester, MN - $25,000 to support the expansion and remodeling of the food shelf space and the addition of a warehouse annex.
Commonweal Theatre Company, Lanesboro, MN - $15,000 to assist with the construction of a new theatre and education facility.
Rochester Public Schools, Rochester, MN - $15,000 to support a project to increase the percentage of diverse and minority staff.
CYCLE 3, 2006 AWARDS:
Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA), Rochester, MN - $25,000 to assist with the purchase of a new, energy efficient "green building" for agency operations.
Southeastern Minnesota Youth Orchestras (SEMYO), Rochester, MN - $10,000 for the purchase of percussion instruments for use by students in their youth orchestras.
Rochester Active Sports Club, Rochester, MN - $10,350 to assist with the development and maintenance of a 5-6 km trail through Quarry Hill Park.
City of Rochester Park and Recreation, Rochester, MN - $5,000 for the purchase of materials to restore the fire-damaged water tower at the Plummer House Estate.
