ABOVE: Members of Apple Tree Dental show their appreciation for the Schmeeckle Foundation’s continued support, with $150,000 being donated as part of their latest grant cycle. From left: Danielle Andrews, LDA & Office Manager; Karrie Hammond, Clinic Care Coordinator; Hanna Priester, Clinical Assistant; Dr. Jesse Grantz; Paige Blomgren, LDH; and Emily Muller, Clinical Assistant.

FAIRMONT–As part of its yearly grant cycle, the Schmeeckle Foundation has donated $292,150 to eight local groups.

Trustee Ron Kopischke said those eight were selected from nine applications. The highest amount will go to Apple Tree Dental, with $150,000 going to the purpose of its Fairmont Center Workforce Development Project. He said that has been an ongoing project to fit a county-wide need.

“It was recognized that there’s insufficient coverage for dental services in Martin County,” Kopischke said. “There was a void there. That has been an investment for many years, helping them bring professionals in to provide those services.”

Other amounts include $49,920 for the Fairmont YMCA, $21,942 for a new floating dock at Gomsrud Park via Let’s Go Fishing, $23,788 for a county-wide vaping reduction campaign to the Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Program, $25,000 to the Twin Valley Boy Scouts Council for growing scouting in Martin County, and $15,000 to renovate the Upward Bound Clubhouse Kitchen.

Two smaller grants, $4,000 to Open Arts Minnesota for its upcoming Fairmont show, “The Talent Studio,” and $2,500 to Visit Fairmont for a Greetings from Fairmont Downtown Mural, round out this year’s projects. Each project funded matches funds already raised by the organizations themselves.

The foundation has three main tenets, Early Childhood Care and Education, Disabled and Elderly and Arts. Kopischke said these three tenets follow the wishes of its namesake Juanita Ellen (Teubner) Schmeeckle. Within these three tenets, he said they are looking for any ideas to better these areas for Martin County.

“We want innovation,” Kopischke said. “Think outside the box. Think of things necessary in our community that would benefit one of these three areas. We want to hear about it.”

This cycle was the first time they had done applications online. Since they started in 2016, applications had been done on paper. Kopischke said it made sense now to make the switch.

“I think the world has gotten used to doing things online,” he said. “I think people enjoy that it’s simpler and it’s easier for us to track it and know what’s there. It’s been a positive for us.”

With these donations, the Schmeeckle Foundation has donated $5.5 million to Martin County endeavors.

Trustee Shirley Maschoff said, as a resident of Martin County, she is thankful the Schmeeckle Foundation is there to breathe life into projects that otherwise wouldn’t be able to move forward.

“If someone has a really good idea, but they don’t have the funding for it, something that would benefit the people of the county, we’re able to help with that,” she said. “I think people think the application process is overwhelming. It’s not really. We’re trying to be simple and open to ideas. It’s a great opportunity for people that have an idea and the ability to carry it out, but just not the funding.”

The foundation is looking to continue funding Martin County projects for the foreseeable future. The next round of funding will open June 2, 2025, and close July 15. For more information, visit https://www.schmeecklefoundation.org/.