FAIRMONT– Fourteen area organizations were the latest recipients of grants totaling $394,013 from the Schmeeckle Foundation. The Foundation’s purpose is to carry on the legacy of long-time Martin County resident, Juanita (Teubner) Schmeeckle by providing grants for the betterment of the county.

Since 2016, the foundation has given out more than $5.5 million in grants to local organizations that fit its core areas of focus: early childhood care and education, serving the elderly and disabled and promoting the arts.

The foundation has a board made up of four trustees. They are James Teubner, Profinium Financial-Ron Kopischke, Fred C. Krahmer and Shirley Maschoff.

Maschoff explained that they accept grant applications from 501c3 organizations in Martin County. They typically get about 12 to 15 applications and each applicant asks for a certain amount of money.

“Once we have the applications, we contact each applicant organization and invite them to meet with the foundation trustees to tell us in their own words about their application. That’s where people’s excitement and passion about what they’re doing really comes out,” Maschoff said.

Grants are awarded on an annual basis and an organization can continue to apply year after year though Maschoff noted that they can’t promise awarding of grants.

“The foundation is geographically restricted and the grants that we give have to benefit the people of Martin County,” Maschoff said.

The grant application can be found online at schmeecklefoundation.org. Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) helps the foundation administer the grants.

New this year is a change in the grant timeline. The next round of grants will open June 3 and the deadline for filing applications is July 31.

Maschoff spoke to the importance of the Schmeeckle Foundation.

“That she could leave that much money is a wonderful thing for the county,” Maschoff said of Juanita’s gift.” I’m so happy to see applications coming in from some younger people. It’s great to see what they’re doing to make the community better for the future.”

What follows is a list of the 14 organizations that received the last round of grants and what they’re intending to do with the funds.

— $15,000 to Fairmont Early Risers Kiwanis/Project 1590 fiscal agent to build a new shelter on the west side of Cedar Creek Park.

— $7,900 to Martin County Pheasants Forever to help develop relationships and continue to improve exposure of youth to outdoor experiences and promote conservation efforts for the future.

— $130,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Martin and Faribault Counties to move a house in Fairmont.

— $15,000 to Fairmont Track Association/Project 1590 fiscal agent for building mindfulness through the pole vault program by purchasing poles in order to have a sufficient amount that will meet the needs of all athletes.

— $5,000 to The Arc Minnesota for a self-advocacy project in Martin County.

— $2,126 to the Ceylon Community Fire Association/Ceylon Area First fiscal agent for changing the emergency siren waning system from manual operations to automatic operations.

— $25,000 to Vista Prairie at Goldfinch Estates to support installation and training costs for wearable CarePredict technology, providing significant care, recruitment and training benefits for Goldfinch residents and staff.

— $6,404 to Helping Hands of Ceylon to refurbish the meeting room at Mondale Park in order to strengthen community spirit and provide an aesthetically pleasing place for recreational and learning activities.

— $3,200 to Imagine Martin for the Going Hog Wild program and to promote awareness and tourism.

— $28,331 to Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition for a county-wide multi-pronged program to vaping prevention among youth.

–$20,000 to The Shepherd’s In to be used for providing housing for the homeless.

— $20,000 to Upward Bound 5th Street Express for renovation of clubhouse space used for people struggling with their mental health.

— $71,052 to Fairmont Opera House to support programming to enrich cultural experiences.

— $45,000 to Fairmont Area Schools/STEM and robotics lab/Project 1590 fiscal agent for updating the lab with new advanced manufacturing and engineering equipment with a goal of inspiring and educating the next generation of engineering and science leaders.