The Hormel Foundation to give $6 million in 2013

Annual grants stay in Austin, Mower County benefiting many nonprofits.

AUSTIN, Minn. – Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012 – The Hormel Foundation has approved $6 million in grants to be distributed in 2013 to numerous Austin-area organizations, with the main recipient being The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic.

Many organizations are supported by the Foundation and represented on its board of directors are the Austin Area Foundation; Austin Community Scholarship Committee; Austin Public Schools; Cedar Valley Services Inc.; City of Austin; Mayo Clinic Health Systems-Austin; Salvation Army; The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota-Mayo Clinic; United Way of Mower County; and YMCA of Austin. Overall, 27 Austin-area organizations have been approved for grant funds in 2013.

The Hormel Institute, a world-renowned cancer research center, is the principal recipient of The Hormel Foundation’s yearly contributions, as established by a 1942 agreement between the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota and The Hormel Foundation. In its 70th year, The Hormel Institute continues to conduct cutting-edge research known worldwide that focuses on discoveries leading to the prevention and control of cancer.

“We are excited to break ground next spring for The Hormel Institute’s next major expansion, and The Hormel Foundation looks forward to continuing to provide substantial support for the Institute’s incredible growth and success,” said Gary J. Ray, Chair of The Hormel Foundation.

With 2012 contributions, The Hormel Foundation now has given nearly $90 million to the Austin area since the Foundation’s inception in 1941. More than half of that money – $56 million – has been distributed since 2000. That amount does not include the Foundation’s $13.4 million contribution to The Hormel Institute’s nearly $24 million expansion/renovation project completed in 2008.

Established by Hormel Foods Corp.’s founder George A. Hormel and his son, Jay C. Hormel, one of The Hormel Foundation’s purposes is to serve as a charitable organization to benefit the Austin community. Its first contribution in 1941 was for $10 and its annual contributions to the community have grown steadily and significantly over the years.

Currently, The Hormel Foundation ranks sixth in annual giving among Minnesota’s largest community/public foundations and public charity grant makers, with those in the lead located in the Twin Cities, according to the Minnesota Council on Foundations. The Hormel Foundation’s annual giving is significantly higher than contributions made by foundations in some of Minnesota’s largest cities.

The Hormel Foundation’s contributions are a direct result from the dividend increases of Hormel Foods common stock – the Foundation’s main asset.

“Hormel Foods Corp.’s continuing success and growth directly leads to significant, yearly contributions that benefit our community in many ways through The Hormel Foundation,” Ray said. ““We can all be very grateful for the vision and philanthropy of George A. and Jay C. Hormel in establishing the Foundation in a way that provides support to important, meaningful programs locally.”

One of The Hormel Foundation’s recent projects announced in October involves constructing – in partnership with Riverland Community College and Hormel Foods –a $3 million, 17,000-square-foot childcare center next to Riverland’s west campus facility. Expected to be done in May 2013, the project will meet a definite community need.

The Hormel Foundation also is providing significant support to Austin’s new Vision 2020 initiative that formed 10 volunteer committees this past spring focused on improving the city in different ways.

“Vision 2020 is a community initiative in which The Hormel Foundation is a major supporter,” Ray said. “We look forward to building a better community for everyone.”

The Hormel Foundation also serves as trustee for the Geo. A. Hormel Testamentary Trust, which will provide $65,000 in additional contributions in 2013 that will benefit 21 organizations in Austin and greater Mower County, including the Hormel Historic Home, Girl Scouts, Math Masters, and the Austin Symphony Orchestra. Since its formation in 1946, the Trust has given more than $3.2 million to the Austin area.

Austin-area organizations wishing to benefit in 2014 from contributions from The Hormel Foundation should submit an application before Sept. 1, 2013. To qualify for funding, the request must come from a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in or affecting the Austin area. Applications will only be accepted online through The Hormel Foundation’s website: www.thehormelfoundation.com.

About The Hormel Foundation

The Hormel Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1941 by Hormel Foods Corporation founder George A. Hormel and his son, Jay C. Hormel. Contributions from The Hormel Foundation directly benefit the Austin, Minn., area. The Hormel Foundation was reorganized in 1980 as a supporting organization under I.R.C. Section 509(a)(3). As a supporting organization, it is organized and operated for the benefit of those charitable or educational organizations represented on its board. Downloadable files of Gary Ray’s photo and The Hormel Foundation’s logo are available online at: www.hi.umn.edu/gary_ray.html