Eagan Rotary awards grants to 23 nonprofits $20,500

With the concern for benefiting Eagan families, the Eagan Rotary Foundation responded to grant requests from 23 non-profits serving Eagan to give away a total of $20,500. This tradition started in 1987 when to Eagan Rotary hosted the first Art Gala. Over the past 32 years the event has distributed over $1 million to fund community grants and major community projects.

“Eagan Rotary’s Community Grants Program provides much needed funds to non-profit organizations that benefit the Eagan community,” said Jason Raether chair of the Rotary grants committee and lawyer with Hellmuth & Johnson based in Minneapolis. “We give out grants to support a diverse array of projects that impact Eagan residents in many different ways. It is our hope that these grants benefit the less-fortunate and, as a result, make Eagan a better place to live for everybody.”

The grant committee which included Dan Burns, Laura Helmueller, Angie Johnson, Andy Lucking, Ed Neppl, Jason Raether, George Rahlf, and Scott Swenson, identified programs that benefit Eagan citizens.

Additionally, the Foundation continued its support of Art Works in Eagan with a second $20,000 contribution. Committed in 2017, the initial contribution was $50,000 to help the organization purchase the building and $100,000 in supporting funds over 10 years. To date, a total of $90,000 has been given to this major project.

Raether opened the event to explain that with a shortfall in funds, a special quick funding event for Rotarians to increase the funding available for 2019 awards. He then proceeded to introduce each grant recipient who explained how the grant will be applied. They are:

360 Communities- Partners for Success; Black Hawk Middle School- Courage Retreat; Caponi Art Park- 2019 Summer Performance Series; Dakota Center for the Arts- 25th Eagan Art Festival; Dakota County Technical College Foundation- Eagan High scholarships 2020 graduates; Dakota Ramblers-Birthday Parties for shelters; Dakota Woodlands- General operating costs; DARTS- Volunteer Ambassador Program; Eagan American Legion Post 594- Outreach to community; Eagan High School Team 2220 Robotics- Robotics kits for camp; Eagan July 4th Fun Fest- July 4 Funfest; Eagan Men’s Chorus- Performances for 20 Eagan and surrounding areas; Feed My Starving Children- Produce meals for children in need; Glacier Hills Elementary – Science and art residency; Hope for Tomorrow- Life skills gained through mentors; Inver Hills Community College Foundation- Continue Eagan Rotary Scholarships; Kids’n Kinship- Adults mentoring children; Meals on Wheels in NW Dakota County- Hot meals for homebound adults; Mental Health Program- Minnesota Warmline phone and text; Northview Elementary- Doing Good Together for families; ProAct Inc- Three wheelchair lifts for work transportation for those with disabilities; Treasures Galore Indoor Garage Sale- Hygiene kits for middle school students ; YMCA in Eagan- Individual and family scholarships for Y programs.

The Rotary Club of Eagan was founded in 1987 and is affiliated with Rotary International. The club has 74 members and Russ Zellmer with Langer Construction is the current president. The Rotary motto is “Service above Self” and its members are guided by the Rotary Four Way Test. Meetings are Wednesdays at noon at the Lost Spur Golf Club in Eagan. See eaganrotary.org and Facebook.