The Austin Area Foundation has announced the names of recipients of $22,000 in grants to non-profits.

“Every year it is an honor to 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,” Baldus added. “That is what our community foundation is all about.”

Over $22,000 will be distributed, allowing area organizations to provide opportunities to help people of all ages. This year’s grants have been awarded as follows:

• ARC of Mower County, security system, $1,150.

• Austin Area Commission for the Arts, new movie screen, $1,000.

• Austin Artist Series, venue and technical support, $500.

• Austin Color Guard, uniforms and expenses, $1,000.

• Austin Symphony Orchestra, partial sponsorship of program, $1,000.

• Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, partial sponsorship of American Traveling Vietnam Wall, $1,000.

• Cedar River Watershed District, historical signage, $500.

• Freedom Fest, financing for free kids’ activities, $1,000.

• Friends of the Hormel Nature Center, digital camera, $900.

• Gerard Academy, play therapy supplies, $750.

• Habitat for Humanity, safety equipment upgrades, $1,000.

• Hormel Historic Home, bussing for 400 students, $600.

• Matchbox Children’s Theatre, help with production costs for August shows, $1,000.

• Mower County Agricultural Society, entertainment for kids at the fairgrounds, $800.

• Mower County Historical Society, Phase 2, collections shelving project, $700.

• Northwestern Singers, instrumentalists and carpenter, $600.

• Peer Power Partners, purchase of 120 PPP students, Twins tickets, $600.

• Rachel’s Hope, supplies for Earn While You Learn program, $1,000.

• Relay for Life, annual survivor dinner, $500.

• Riverland Theatre, underwrite of 200 tickets, $600.

• Science Fair Mentoring Project, Science Experience and Science Fair Boot Camp for Parents, $500.

• Second Addition, cover half the cost of 10 performances, $750.

• Seibel Center, new server for security camera, $2,000.

• St. Olaf BackPack program, meals for Head Start children, $1,000.

• Summerset Theatre, production assistance for 51st season, $1,000.

• Wee Learning Center, furnish new classroom with quality toys, $550.

The Austin Area Foundation board of directors asks people to remember AAF when giving charitable donations. People are invited to stop by the AAF office or mail donations to 110 First Ave. SE, Austin, or visit austinareafoundation.org for more information.

Austin Area Foundation seeks to enhance the community through charitable giving.