The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) seeks to make significant grants that will be the 'Difference Maker” in bringing about a lasting, positive change in the Alexandria area community. The AACF Is looking to provide leadership financial support and build a partnership that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiatives. The five focus areas are education, social services, health, arts and culture and civic.
The Alexandria Area Community Foundation has awarded $438,000 in Difference Maker Grants since 2012.
2022
$15,000 to support the Hope Haven project through the United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties.
$13,000 to provide operational support and staffing as the Alexandria Area YMCA explores partnership opportunities with the Alexandria Senior Center.
$10,000 to support the Home Care and Repair Program through West Central Communities Action, Inc.
$5,000 to support emergency financial resources for victims and survivors of crime and abuse in Douglas County through Someplace Safe Douglas Advocacy Office.
$5,000 to Safe Families for Children - West Central Minnesota which provides services and support to children and families who are in need.
2021
$16,000 to the Village Family Service Center for their Love & Logic Parenting program which helps parents develop healthy, respectful and loving relationships with their children.
$15,820 to the Kalon Prep Academy to assist with renovations to provide enhanced learning opportunities for area students.
$3,180 to the BIO Girls program which provides a 12-week program that combines life-skills curriculum, mentoring, community service and physical activity for adolescent girls (ages 7-12).
2020
Funds were directed to support the AACF Response Fund with COVID-19 pandemic relief funding.
2019
$30,000 to support the labor and materials to construct the new "Launch Pad", a two unit, twin home that will be available to homeless families during a period of time that they search for employment and affordable housing through the Alexandria Housing & Redevelopment Authority.
$15,000 to support campus maintenance and improvements at Theatre L'Homme Dieu.
2018
Alexandria Arts Association - $10,000 - To support the new marquee on the front of their building.
We Got Your Back - $9,000 - To provide protective equipment support to keep the community safe for local law enforcement.
Kindred Family Focus - $2,000 - To support foster families.
Veterans Memorial Park - $10,000 - To support the building of the Veterans Memorial Park.
North Star Sports Complex - $7,500 - To support the building of locker rooms.
2017
Alexandria Technical and Community College - $11,000 - To support a nursing simulation learning center (NSLC). The NSLC will provide simulated real-life training for nursing students and community health professionals.
Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County - $11,000 - To support the Aging in Place Program. The Aging in Place program focuses on making safety improvements, mobility modifications and weatherization enhancements for seniors.
Douglas County Outreach Food Shelf - $11,000 - To improve accessibility to the entrance of their location so that all clients will be able to access their services.
Someplace Safe - $5,000 - Tor emergency financial assistance for crime victims including housing, transportation, food and medical needs.
2016
Alexandria Opportunities Center - $11,000 - To help them replace the roof of their facilities which provides programming to individual's needs who are primarily diagnosed with a developmental disability and/or mental illness.
Someplace Safe - $10,000 - To support the emergency financial assistance program for their clients who are victims of crime.
City of Alexandria; Fire Department - $9,000 - To host a training for a Hostile Event Response which will teach law, fire and EMS a new integrated practice on how to deal with a hostile event situation when there are viable victims in order to reduce morbidity and mortality.
2015
Alexandria Senior Center - $20,000 - For expansion of the nutrition services program to accommodate the increasing number of aging and vulnerable residents in the area.
Runestone Museum Foundation - $10,000 - This grant will be used as a match to help with the restoration of Big Ole, the "icon" of the Alexandria and Douglas County. The project will include fully repainting the statue.
2014
Doulglas County Car Care - $27,500 - To fix 50 cars that will be donated to eligible individuals and families in need to help them achieve economic security and self-sufficiency.
Theatre L'Homme Dieu - $23,000 - Building update and equipment to further it's ability to produce and present live theatre, fine arts and education programming to the community.
Alexandria Senior Center - $8,000 - For renovations and updates to the kitchen.
2013
Alexandria Area Arts Association - $60,000 - For the renovation of the Education and Community Resource Area.
United Way of Douglas and Pope Counties - $20,000 - To support the Homeless to Housed project.
2012
Wings Family Support Services - $35,000 - For their Transitional Housing building upgrade project.