Our mission is to provide an opportunity for groups or individuals to leave a legacy through contributions which build a permanent community fund committed to meeting the changing needs of the Waseca area.
Waseca Area Foundation channels community contributions into a permanent fund built to meet changing needs in the Waseca area. In the latest filing year, the foundation reported a single community-grants distribution of $269,696, showing a grantmaking model centered on local funds rather than a long list of separate awards. Its active programs point to a structure that combines broad community support with area-specific funds, including the Waseca Area Foundation Grant, the Janesville Area Foundation Grant, the New Richland Area Foundation Grant, and the E. F. Johnson Foundation Grant. The foundation’s recent grant framework covers education, arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, and community service. It also runs a Youth Grantmaking Program for youth-led or youth-serving projects, which adds a distinct youth-development channel alongside its general community work. The mission statement emphasizes legacy giving and a permanent community fund, which aligns with the way its programs are organized around the changing needs of Waseca County and nearby communities. That mix makes the foundation relevant to local nonprofits, community groups, and public bodies working in the Waseca area.
Education is a central part of the foundation’s program structure. The E. F. Johnson Foundation Grant concentrates primarily on education, with about 60% of its focus on scholarships and programs for secondary students in grades 7-12, and it also supports human services and arts and cultural programs. Community-serving projects are another clear theme. The Waseca Area Foundation Grant provides one-year grants to nonprofits and governmental bodies serving Waseca County for projects in education, arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, and community service. The foundation also supports place-based giving through area funds. The Janesville Area Foundation Grant serves Janesville and surrounding community organizations, while the New Richland Area Foundation Grant supports organizations and programs serving residents of the New Richland area. Youth development appears as its own track through the Youth Grantmaking Program, which accepts applications from youth-led or youth-serving projects in the Waseca area.
$270K
$2.7M
$450K
$348K
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The latest grant data shows a $269,696 community-grants distribution in 2025. The foundation operates through a public charity structure and uses multiple named grant programs, including one-year community grants and area funds. It also gives through a youth-focused program and a fund that prefers program funding over capital or endowment gifts. The available records show a U.S.-only grant distribution for the recent grant listed. The structure suggests ongoing, locally directed grantmaking rather than a one-time award model.
Grantmaking is concentrated in the Waseca area and nearby communities within Waseca County. The active programs name Waseca County, Janesville, New Richland, and the broader Waseca area as service areas. The recent grant list also places the latest community-grants distribution in Waseca, MN. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 1 grant and 100% in the United States.
The foundation supports education, arts and culture, health and human services, recreation, community development, and scholarships. Its active programs also include youth development, community service, and area-specific funds for Janesville and New Richland.
Yes. The Youth Grantmaking Program accepts applications from youth-led or youth-serving projects, and the general Waseca Area Foundation Grant, Janesville Area Foundation Grant, E. F. Johnson Foundation Grant, and New Richland Area Foundation Grant all accept unsolicited applications.
The foundation uses one-year community grants and area funds. The E. F. Johnson Foundation Grant prefers program funding over capital or endowment gifts, and the Waseca Area Foundation Grant is described as a one-year grant program for local nonprofits and governmental bodies.
Its active programs serve the Waseca area, Waseca County, Janesville and surrounding community, and the New Richland area. The Youth Grantmaking Program is also limited to the Waseca area, MN.
Education appears in multiple programs. The E. F. Johnson Foundation Grant concentrates primarily on education, with about 60% aimed at scholarships and programs for secondary students in grades 7-12, while the broader community grant program also funds education projects.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Waseca Area Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofits must reside in New Richland and have experienced flood-related damage, loss, displacement, or other significant recovery needs. Assistance is intended for needs not fully covered by insurance or other sources and is subject to available funds.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMMUNITY GRANTS | WASECA, MN | $269,696 | 2025 | COMMUNITY GRANTS FROM FUNDS |
| WASECA PUBLIC SCHOOLS | WASECA, MN | $55,347 | 2023 | COMMUNITY GRANT |
| NRHEG SCHOOLS | NEW RICHLAND, MN | $13,100 | 2023 | COMMUNITY GRANT |
| FARMAMERICA | WASECA, MN | $6,750 | 2023 | COMMUNITY GRANT |
| WASECA BAND BOOSTERS | WASECA, MN | $6,113 | 2023 | COMMUNITY GRANT |
COMMUNITY GRANTS
$269,696COMMUNITY GRANTS FROM FUNDS
WASECA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$55,347COMMUNITY GRANT
NRHEG SCHOOLS
$13,100COMMUNITY GRANT
FARMAMERICA
$6,750COMMUNITY GRANT
WASECA BAND BOOSTERS
$6,113COMMUNITY GRANT
