Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Grant Program

The Otter Tail Corporation Foundation Grant Program focuses on supporting 501(c)(3) organizations in communities across Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Priorities include early childhood education, health services for families in need, community development, and environmental sustainability. While the 2025 budget is fully allocated, they encourage applications for 2026, emphasizing collaborative projects that create measurable impacts.

While we are unable to make any additional donations for the remainder of 2025, we encourage you to keep the spirit of giving alive and consider reapplying in 2026.We value community.
Our Priorities
Our funds are for innovative projects and programs that create measurable impacts in our areas of emphasis.
The Foundation will consider requests from qualified organizations to support operating budgets and capital fund programs for the construction, refurbishment or purchase of buildings, structures, equipment or physical enhancements.
Education
Especially early childhood education initiatives and programs that support schools of higher learning with special interest in curricula and capital improvements in the study of business, political science, economics, engineering, and natural/physical sciences as they relate to the energy and industrial industries.
Health and Human Services
Including initiatives and programs that help individuals and families struggling with daily living challenges, including hunger, poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, and disabilities.
Community, Civic, and Cultural Development
Programs and projects that focus on local, regional, or statewide economic and cultural development, including efforts that increase awareness of culture and the arts and encourage their growth, particularly for regions or populations that would otherwise be unable to participate.
Environment
programs that emphasize sustainability, preservation, environmental education, and stewardship of our land, water, and air with an emphasis on collaborative programs that strengthen ties between businesses and communities.

Eligibility

Otter Tail Corporation Foundation funds 501(c)(3) organizations onlyThe principal focus of the Foundation includes those communities in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota where Otter Tail Corporation and its subsidiaries have a business presence.

Ineligibility

Normally, the Foundation will not contribute to endowments.The Foundation does not support the following:individuals
individual scholarships
organizations that are not described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as a public charity including, but not limited to:labor or veteran’s organizations
political organizations and political campaigns
organizations that practice discrimination based on sex, age, height, weight, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, handicap, or veteran status
religious organizations when the contribution will be used for denominational or sectarian purposes
sports tournaments
talent or beauty contestsThe Foundation does not purchase tickets or make payments to events or celebrations to raise funds for charitable purposes, nor does it sponsor advertising supporting these efforts.