LAND O'LAKES FOUNDATION

Contact information:
P.O. Box 64150
St. Paul, MN 55164-0150

Website: http://www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation/default.aspx

Type of foundation: Company-sponsored

Types of grants: Operating, program, equipment, matching, capital

Description: Land O'Lakes is the second largest cooperative in the country with approximately 9,600 employees, nearly 4,000 direct producer-members and 900 member-cooperatives serving more than 300,000 agricultural producers. Land O'Lakes, Inc. has annual sales of over $14 billion. 
The Land O'Lakes Foundation Community Grants Program makes grants to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where the company has a significant concentration of members or employees. The Foundation prioritizes grants to organizations that:

• Work to alleviate hunger (top priority).
• Are designed to build knowledge and leadership skills of rural youth.
• Are active in addressing and solving community problems (e.g. American Red Cross, civic organizations, hospitals).
• Promote artistic endeavors — especially in underserved rural areas, through touring or outreach programs.

Ninety percent of grants go to organizations serving rural areas. In 2011, 60 percent of grants went to human service programs, 25 percent went to youth and education programs, and 15 percent went to art and civic programs. Community Grants are limited to one per organization per calendar year.

Many grants are made through the Member Co-op Match Program. This program provides matching funds for projects that already are selected and funded by member cooperatives. Generally, donation requests are handled by the local cooperative's general manager.

In addition:

• The Foundation's Mid-Atlantic Grants program funds community projects in Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland and New Jersey, initiated by Land O'Lakes dairy farmer-members.
• The California Regions Grants program funds community projects in three areas of California: Orland, Tulare/Kings/Bakersfield and Ontario, initiated by Land O'Lakes dairy farmer-members.
• The Matching Gifts to Education program matches employee, leadership council and board member donations, up to $1,000, to qualifying schools (including K-12, universities, colleges and vocational technical schools) and public broadcasting.

Sample grants:

• $40,000 to Twin Cities Public Television for Next Avenue (2012). The Foundation also pledged an additional $160,000 for Next Avenue, to be paid during 2013-2016.
• $7,500 to Trinity Health Foundation (Fort Dodge, IA) matching New Co-op's donation for the new building capital campaign (2011).
• $5,000 to White Ash Broadcasting dba Valley Public Radio (Fresno, CA) in operating support (2011).
• $5,000 to Juniata County Agriculture Society (Port Royal, PA) for electrical improvements (2011).
• $5,000 to Wisconsin 4-H Foundation (Milwaukee, WI) for operating support (2011).
• $5,000 to Tulare Historical Museum (Tulare, CA) for audio tour equipment (2011).
• $5,000 to The Wildcat Foundation of the Mechanicsburg Area School District (Mechanicsburg, PA) for an environmental classroom project (2011).
• $3,100 to South Dakota FFA Foundation, Inc. (Bath, SD) matching South Dakota Wheat Growers' donation (2011).
• $2,500 to Achieve Minneapolis for program support (2011).
• $1,500 to Story City Fire Dept. (Story City, IA) for back-up generator (2011).
• $1,000 to Kansas Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (Manhattan, KS) in matching support to Mid-Kansas Co-op Association's donation (2011).
• $750 to Minnesota Public Radio through matching gifts to education (2011).
• $450 to WITF (Harrisburg, PA) through matching gifts to education (2011).
• $365 to KAXE Northern Community Radio (Grand Rapids, MN) through matching gifts to education (2011).
• $100 to Pioneer Public TV (Appleton, MN) through matching gifts to education (2011).

Fit for public broadcasting: This Foundation may be a good fit for stations, especially those serving rural areas. While many of the Foundation's grants are small, they are heavily given as matching grants, thereby doubling the value of the individual donation. Notably, the Foundation gives support for equipment, which may be of particular interest to stations. The Foundation's Matching Grants to Education program specifically includes public broadcasting in the list of organizations where it matches gifts from employees and board members.

Eligibility: Land O'Lakes Foundation funds national programs, as well as local programs in 20 states: Arkansas, California, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.

Grants are primarily given to organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status. Contribution funds generally will not be used for the following categories:

• Lobbying, political and religious organizations.
• Veteran, fraternal and labor organizations.
• Individuals.
• Fund-raising events, dinners or benefits.
• Advertising.
• College/university capital/endowment funds.
• Travel expenses for individuals/groups.

Deadline: In 2013, the deadlines are:

• April 1: Education proposals.

• July 1: Hunger proposals.
• October 1: Community proposals.
• December 1: Member Co-op Match proposals.

How to apply: Applications should be submitted online.

Giving range: $500 – $25,000. A few larger grants are also made.

Assets: $9,500,389 (year ending 12/31/2011).

Total giving: $2,273,616 (2011).

View 2011 Annual Report here.