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The Hormel Foundation

Annual Giving
$34.0M
Grant Range
Up to $25.0M
Decision Time
7mo

The Hormel Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $34 million (2026 approved)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Annual cycle (June application for following year)
  • Grant Range: Varies widely (from thousands to $25 million for major projects)
  • Geographic Focus: Austin, Minnesota and Mower County area

Contact Details

Overview

The Hormel Foundation was established in 1941 by George A. Hormel and his son Jay C. Hormel, founders of Hormel Foods Corporation. With total assets of $1.16 billion (2024), the foundation is a major philanthropic force in southeastern Minnesota, holding 46.8% of Hormel Foods' stock. The foundation operates as a public foundation focused exclusively on supporting charitable, educational, and scientific organizations in the Austin, Minnesota and Mower County area. Their annual giving of approximately $34 million makes them one of the most significant funders for local nonprofits in the region, with a commitment to community development that has spanned over 80 years.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides general operating and project-specific grants to eligible organizations. Recent major commitments include:

  • Austin Community Rec Center: $25 million
  • Austin Community Action Building: $4.75 million
  • Austin Assurance Scholarship Program: Ongoing support
  • Various grants to local nonprofits: Amounts vary based on need and impact

Priority Areas

  • Education (K-12 and higher education)
  • Healthcare and wellness
  • Community development and infrastructure
  • Arts and culture
  • Human services
  • Youth programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Individual requests (explicitly stated: "Individuals do not qualify for Foundation grant funds")
  • Organizations outside the Austin/Mower County area
  • For-profit entities
  • Organizations that benefit private shareholders or individuals

Governance and Leadership

The foundation maintains a board of directors committed to supporting the Austin community. While specific board member names were not available in the public information accessed, the foundation operates with professional staff who manage the grant application and distribution process. The foundation's unique structure, controlling nearly half of Hormel Foods' stock, provides stable, long-term funding capacity for the community.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the online portal at https://thehormelfoundation.smapply.io/. The foundation uses an annual grant cycle with the following timeline:

  • Application portal opens: June 1 each year
  • Applications due: Specific deadline not published (contact foundation)
  • Funding decisions: Made for the following calendar year
  • Example: 2027 funding applications open June 1, 2026

Required application materials include:

  1. Organization's exact legal name
  2. Brief organization description
  3. Federal Tax ID number
  4. Most recent Form 990
  5. IRS tax-exempt determination letter
  6. Current board member list
  7. Detailed project description
  8. Complete project budget with all funding sources
  9. Audited or internal accounting statements

Decision Timeline

Applications submitted in one year are reviewed for funding in the following calendar year. The foundation appears to make annual funding decisions rather than rolling reviews.

Success Rates

Success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation's 2026 approved grants include at least 14 named organizations plus "8 other area nonprofits," suggesting they fund a substantial number of organizations annually.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent years. Organizations that receive grants must submit a grant use report within 90 days after the grant period ends, evaluating project results.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's requirements and funding patterns:

  • Geographic alignment is critical: Organizations must be located in or directly serve the Austin/Mower County area
  • Tax-exempt status is mandatory: Must have proper IRS determination
  • Complete documentation: Submit all required documents with application
  • Community impact focus: Demonstrate clear benefit to local residents
  • Financial transparency: Provide audited statements or detailed internal accounting
  • Post-grant accountability: Be prepared to submit detailed use reports

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The Hormel Foundation is exclusively focused on the Austin, Minnesota area - geographic alignment is non-negotiable
  • With $34 million in annual giving, they are a major funder capable of both small operational grants and multi-million dollar capital projects
  • The foundation uses an annual grant cycle with applications opening June 1 for the following year's funding
  • Individual grant requests are explicitly not accepted - only tax-exempt organizations qualify
  • Strong preference for established organizations with proven track records in the community
  • Post-grant reporting is required within 90 days, indicating emphasis on accountability
  • The foundation's substantial assets ($1.16 billion) and Hormel Foods stock ownership ensure long-term funding stability

References

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