Blue Earth Community Foundation

03/05/2024

Wednesday, April 3, 2024 is the next grant application deadline for Blue Earth Community Foundation.

The Mission of the Blue Earth Community Foundation is to serve the Blue Earth Area by supporting programs and projects that improve the quality of life and build a stronger community. Grant proposals must be submitted by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, or a unit of government, such as municipalities, townships and school districts. Please see www.becf.net for the grant application and more more information.

The Foundation strives to proactively respond to existing and emerging needs of our communities. BECF achieves its mission by the cultivation of collaborative efforts with individuals and organizations.

11/13/2023

It's time to Give to the Max on Thursday, November 16, 2023!

Blue Earth Community Foundation's mission is to provide our community with meaningful gift-giving opportunities that will be used to enhance and sustain the quality of life in Blue Earth, MN. Board members will be at Juba's from 9am to 6pm on Thursday, November 16. Stop and say hi! Donations will be accepted. If you can't stop over, you can either send donations to Blue Earth Community Foundation, PO Box 390, Blue Earth, MN 56013, or head to our website www.becf.net and make a donation. Thank you!

BECF is an affiliated fund of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

09/28/2023

Celebrating Blue Earth Community Foundation

09/03/2023

07/11/2023

Ever wonder how Blue Earth Community Foundation came to be? Read the following excerpt from the Blue Earth Chamber Focus for information:

The Blue Earth Community Foundation is a proud Chamber member. The group recently held a reception to honor the newest members of the board and to honor former and recently retired members of the board. Unfortunately, the person who first conceived the idea of a foundation, Rob Hammond, was “gone fishing,” so was unable to take part.

Rob first proposed the idea of a community-wide foundation back in 2006 and it was officially formed in 2014 when he and John Huisman contacted the office of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation about becoming one of the local foundations overseen by that group. The agreement with SMIF was signed on April 8, 2014, and the Blue Earth Community Foundation officially began to implement its stated mission: "To better our community by connecting people who care with causes that matter.”

On Tuesday, June 27, BECF Board President, Larry Anderson,
welcomed the following new members to the board: Megan Hanson-Haase, Noel Johnson, Pam Krill and Kim Shaffer.
They join Lill Robinson (VP and Secretary), Renee Beattie (Treasurer), Sue Eckles and Bill Olson. Several past members of the board have agreed to serve as Emeritus members, including Rob Hammond, Jack Heinitz, John Huisman, Tom Juba and Lori Nauman. As Emeritus they have no vote, but a wealth of experience to share with the board. Others who were recognized for their service to the Foundation Board were Lars Bierly, Chuck Frundt, David Frundt, Cindy Lein, Deb McDonald, Clair Nassen, Marty Sawyer and Skip Schimek. President Anderson recognized Neil Eckles posthumously, for his commitment and service to the board.

In its first nine years of existence the BECF has become an important vehicle for donors who wish to make charitable contributions to benefit the community. The list of projects which have received both financial and administrative support is long and varied including the Downtown Mural Project, Foundation Park at the corner of 6th and Main, the Pteranodon Fund, Senior Center restroom upgrades, LEWP-Library Exterior Wall Project, Main Street Sewing Society’s Quilts of Valor, BEAM Summer programs and others.

Early in its existence the board realized the importance of involving
young people in the work of the BECF. Student membership is open to High School students who complete an application and interview. Since 2015 the following have served one or more years on the board and have made significant contributions: Lacey Benz (BECF T-shirts), Erik Anderson and Izzy Walker (Faribault County Fitness Center Passes), Anna Nagel (Facebook updates) and Merissa Benz (2022 On-line Auction

07/11/2023

Thanks to Kim Shaffer, BECF board member and these two young gentlemen for representing Blue Earth Community Foundation in the Giant Days Parade this past Saturday!

04/02/2023

Grant application deadline, May 3, 2023

The mission of the Blue Earth Community Foundation (BECF) is to serve the Blue Earth area by supporting programs and projects that improve the quality of life and build a stronger community. The BECF provides grants which fulfill that mission. The foundation is primarily interested in funding new and innovative projects or programs that build on existing strengths of an organization or the community as a whole.

The next round of grant applications are due by May 3. 2023. Please see www.becf.net for more information on requirements.

The Foundation strives to proactively respond to existing and emerging needs of our communities. BECF achieves its mission by the cultivation of collaborative efforts with individuals and organizations.

01/31/2023

Congratulations to the Faribault County Register for receiving seven awards at the recent Minnesota Newspaper Association annual convention. A strong local newspaper is an important part of a strong community.

01/03/2023

Thanks to everyone who helped make 2022 a great year for the Blue Earth Conmunity Foundation. Your support will help make our community better, stronger and more attractive to future residents.

12/21/2022

A holiday donation to the Blue Earth Community Foundation is a gift to the community’s future.

12/08/2022

GRANT INFORMATION
The mission of the Blue Earth Community Foundation is to serve the community by supporting programs and projects that improve the quality of life and build a stronger community. To do that, the BECF provides grants which fulfill that mission. Requirements and Criteria for applying for grants can be found on the Foundation’s web site at www.becf.net.

Go to the Menu and click on Who We Are, then scroll to the bottom to select the Grant Application Form and Grant Application Requirements, which include the Criteria for applications.

Grant applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis, with applications due by the first Wednesday of January, May, August and November each year. Information about past events, activities and projects can also be found on the web site.

12/08/2022

Thank you to all the donors who generously contributed to Blue Earth Community Foundation during Give to the Max Day 2022! Donations received exceeded the $3,500 required for the matching funds. The total raised including the match was over $10,000! These donations will help the Foundation continue to support projects that strengthen our community.