Deadline for submission is Tuesday, November 1
Mountain Lake Area Foundation (MLAF) is seeking grant applications. The deadline for submission is Tuesday, November 1.
MLAF, organized as a component fund of the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF) is the one-stop community organization for charitable contributions; a permanent resource for the community that provides leadership and financial resources in the form of grants to meet the needs of our community.
The SWIF Community Foundation Program allows donors to make gifts to SWIF and designate them for use in Mountain Lake. SWIF provides the administrative and 501(c)(3) infrastructure. It also provides ongoing technical and professional support in areas such as strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, public relations and grantmaking.
The Mission Statement of the MLAF reads: The mission of the Mountain Lake Area Foundation is to promote charitable giving and facilitate the economic and social growth of the community.
Foundation grants for projects in this specific area total more than $350,000.
The MLAF Board of Directors includes Chair Wade Nelson, Treasurer Tim Swoboda, Secretary Misty Karschnik and Directors Vern Peterson, Brian Harder, Joyce Bucklin, Sharron Hanson and Kris Langland.
The MLAF Family of Funds are –
+ MLAF Endowment Fund: A permanent resource with income used to fund charitable activities.
+ MLAF Project Fund: A non-endowed fund used to raise money for capital projects within the community.
+ MLAF Education Fund: A non-endowed fund that benefits the public and private school systems in the area.
+ MLAF Healthcare Fund: A fund established to support healthcare in the community.
+ Brad Behrends Memorial Fund: A non-endowed fund to support the community through scholarships and other grant distributions.
+ Harder Family Fund: Advised by family members to benefit the community.
+ Mountain Lake Early Childhood Fund
Grant application guidelines
Following are the grant application guidelines –
+ Areas of Interest –
- Arts, Culture, Humanities.
- Community Improvement (Celebrations, Beautification, Parks).
- Education.
- Healthcare.
- Recreation, Leisure, Sports, Athletics (Camps, Leagues, Clubs, Facilities).
- Youth Development (Developmental Assets, Mentoring, Service Learning, Scouting, Centers/Clubs).
+ Types of Support –
- Conferences/Seminars.
- Curriculum Development.
- Exhibitions/Trade Shows.
- Performances.
- Program Development.
- Start-Up Funds.
+ The MLAF will generally not make grants for –
- Capital Expenditures.
- Lobbying or Political Activities.
- For-Profit Businesses.
- Debt Retirement.
- Ongoing, Open-Ended Grants.
- Operating Expenses.
- Administrative Budgets for Existing Organizations.
- Programs of Services Mandated by Law.
- National Fundraising Campaigns.
- Ticket Sales, Raffles or Fundraising Dinners.
- Endowment Drives.
+ When reviewing grant proposals, the review team will look for evidence of the following –
- Proposals must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) organization, a unit of government, or by a public agency. If a 501(c)3, please include a copy of the IRS Determination letter.
- Organizations that are not tax exempt must apply through a suitable fiscal agent willing to accept responsibility for the project, such as a unit of government, school district, etc.
- All proposals must demonstrate a benefit within the Mountain Lake Area.
- The Foundation prefers projects that are submitted by local applicants.
- Targeted populations are involved early in the development of the proposed project (i.e. businesses, youth, aging, and/or people of color).
- Proposals should avoid duplication of efforts.
- Proposals should have clearly-stated goals and measurable outcomes.
- Proposals should exhibit evidence of appropriate partnerships. Foundation prefers letters of support from involved agencies, organizations, and individuals clearly outlining both support and contributions to the success of the project.
- Grants generally range from $500 to $5,000.
- Proposals may include a cash match.
- The Foundation prefers evidence of one or more ways to continue the project beyond Foundation funding.
+ To download a grant application, go to –
+ The mailing address for the MLAF is –
- Mountain Lake Area Foundation
- P. O. Box 123
- Mountain Lake, MN 56159
+ To contact by phone, call –
- (507) 427-2999, Extension #4.
