The Hormel Foundation approved $8.4 million in grants as part of its annual contribution budget for 2019.

Dedicated to the support of local organizations since 1941

Continuing the legacy of George and Jay Hormel, The Hormel Foundation is proud to be a part of initiatives that will improve the quality of life in our community.

**Austin Assurance Scholarship**
In partnership with Riverland Community College, Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic Schools, graduating students of Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic Schools have the opportunity to obtain a two-year college degree from Riverland Community College starting in fall 2019, tuition-free.

Vision 2020 Austin, MN — **Austin Community Rec Center**
A Foundation grant of $25 million, $5 million from Hormel Foods, $6.4 million from a public fundraising campaign and partnerships with the City of Austin and the YMCA, has made this Community Rec Center initiative possible. The public will have free access to parts of the new recreation center within an indoor playground, youth center and community gathering space.

**Austin High School Annex and MacPhail Center for Music**
In partnership with Austin Public Schools and Austin's MacPhail Center for music, renovations and the construction of a second story onto the annex of the high school will house both the high school music programs and Austin’s MacPhail Center for Music.

The Hormel Foundation Announces Contributions of $8.4 million

AUSTIN, Minn. –December 3, 2018 – The Hormel Foundation approved a budget of $8.4 million for 2019 grants to benefit the Foundation’s supported organizations. The supported organizations are the Austin Area Foundation, Austin Community Charitable Fund, Austin Community Growth Ventures, Austin Community Scholarship Committee, Austin Public Schools, Cedar Valley Services, City of Austin, The Hormel Institute, Mayo Clinic Health Systems – Austin, Parenting Resource Center, Riverland Community College, The Salvation Army, United Way of Mower County and the YMCA of Austin.

The Hormel Institute, a world-renowned cancer research center, is the principal recipient of The Hormel Foundation’s annual contributions.

“These agencies do an outstanding job of identifying and addressing many of the needs of our community”, said Jeff Ettinger, chair of the Hormel Foundation. “We are also thankful for the hard work and success of the Hormel Foods team, as it is the dividends we receive from the Company that fund these initiatives.”

The Hormel Foundation has committed substantial additional funding, independent of the annual budget grants, to area community projects including the Rec Center, the MacPhail Music Center, and The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship Program.

Eighteen other local non-profit agencies will receive 2019 grant funds from the George A. Hormel Testamentary Trust. The Hormel Foundation serves as trustee for the George A. Hormel Testamentary Trust, a private grant fund which provides approximately $65,000 in additional grants annually. These non-profit organizations include local youth sport programs and community art programs.

The Hormel Foundation Board of Directors

During the summer of 2018, James P. Snee, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of Hormel Foods Corporation, and Michelle M. King, Attorney at Baudler, Maus, Forman & King LLP, were elected to serve as Directors on The Hormel Foundation board.

At the November 2018 board meeting, the Parenting Resource Center was added as a voting supported organization. Gema Alvarado-Guerrero, Executive Director of The Parenting Resource Center, will serve on the board as the appointed representative.

Relationship to the Hormel Foods Company

The Foundation was created to fulfill three primary responsibilities: preserve the independence of the Hormel Foods Corporation, support the Austin, MN community and area, provide for the financial welfare of family heirs for the duration established by family trusts. These responsibilities have been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Minnesota, and they have been fulfilled for 75 years. The Foundation controls more than 48% of Hormel Foods’ stock and would vote against any proposal to purchase the Corporation.

The Hormel Foundation Assurance Scholarship Program

The Hormel Foundation has announced that the foundation will help future seniors of Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic Schools obtain a two-year college degree from Riverland Community College starting in fall 2019, tuition-free, thanks to its partnership with Riverland Community College, Austin Public Schools and Pacelli Catholic Schools.

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The Hormel Foundation Makes Leadership Transition

On August 15th, 2018, The Hormel Foundation Board of Directors elected Jeffrey M. Ettinger as Chair, succeeding Gary J. Ray who retired after 22 years on the board.