In its first year with an executive director, the Austin Area Foundation divvied out a record $19,000 to local nonprofits.

The foundation announced Friday that it gave the $19,000 donations to 19 community organizations last December. In 2013, the Austin Area Foundation gave $17,000 to nonprofits.

“Things are going great,” said Executive Director Jeff Baldus.

After serving on the foundation’s board, Baldus started started as executive director last May, and is working to help the foundation grow and meet its goals to make a lasting impact by supporting Austin community organizations.

Less than a year into his tenure as director, a big part of Baldus’ job is spreading the word on the foundation.

“There’s still a whole lot of education that has to go on,” he said.

Baldus was pleased with the growth over 2013 and noted they received 81 donations, which was also an increase. Austin Area Foundation founder Mike Ruzek was also pleased with the growth.

“I’m really grateful for the progress we’ve made,” said Ruzek, the foundation’s chair, in a press release. “While the challenge is always there to grow, look at what our community through donations has done — we continue to achieve the goal of improving life for people in our community.”

Nonprofit agencies and organizations submitted applications last fall and the foundation’s distribution committee selected this year’s recipients.

More than $88,000 has been given to the Austin community through AAF grants since its first distribution in 2007.

For a list of all past grant recipients/projects, visit www.austinareafoundation.org.

 2014 Grant recipients

•$1,000: Matchbox Children’s Theatre for “Wizard of Oz” production

•$400: Austin Community Band for Summer Concert Series

•$1,000: Austin High School Band for purchase of french horn

•$750: Children’s Dental Health for Happy Smiles kits

•$1,500: Austin Symphony Orchestra for mariachi band concert

•$500: Vision 2020 for graffiti-to-art program

•$500: Freedom Fest 2015 for festival events and activities

•$500: Southeast Minnesota Women’s Center for diapers (Rachel’s Hope)

•$1,000: Parenting Resource Center for healthy snacks and use of facilities

•$1,000: Welcome Center for items for personal care shelf

•$750: African Asian Refugee Agency for website

•$1,500: St. Olaf Backpack Program for purchase food to send home

•$1,000: Northwestern Singers for instrumentalists and carpenter

•$750: Austin Youth Baseball for clinic

•$1,000: Mower County Senior Center for healthy eating classes for seniors

•$1,500: Mower County Senior Advocacy for caregiver program

•$600: Habitat for Humanity materials for a Brush with Kindness

•$1,948: Jay C Hormel Nature Center for two kayaks and two paddles

•$1,802: KAUS, Hy-Vee for Feed-A-Family program