Austin Area Foundation

📬 Keep an eye on your mailbox! 📬

Our 2025 Annual Report is arriving in mailboxes, and we hope many of our supporters, donors, and community partners are enjoying a look back at all we accomplished together this past year. It’s a great reminder of what can happen when a community comes together to give, support, and invest in local causes.

❓ Didn’t receive a copy?

No worries—it probably just means you’re not on our mailing list yet. 😄 The good news is that’s an easy fix!

📞 (507) 434-7494
📧 [email protected]
🌐 austinareafoundation.org

Reach out and we’ll make sure you’re added to our mailing list so you can stay connected with future updates, reports, and community news.

Thank you for being part of the Austin Area Foundation’s mission to strengthen our community through charitable giving. ❤️

We were honored to have a surprise guest speaker at the Austin Area Foundation this week.

Todd the Bear stopped by to share his thoughts on building a stronger community, supporting local causes, and investing in Austin’s future. 🐻

According to Todd, every thriving community needs:
🌳 Strong roots
🤝 Generous people
❤️ Local investment
🍯 And maybe a few more honey-producing trees

While we’re still verifying his credentials, we couldn’t argue with his enthusiasm for making Austin an even better place to live, work, and grow.

Thank you to everyone who supports the Austin Area Foundation and helps strengthen our community for generations to come.

🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓

The Austin Area Foundation proudly congratulates all of the high school graduates across Austin and Mower County area!

Your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this exciting milestone. Whether you’re heading to college, starting a career, joining the military, or exploring new opportunities, we celebrate your achievements and the bright future ahead.

Take time to enjoy this special accomplishment, make lasting memories, and have a fun and safe summer. We can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll make in our communities and beyond.

Congratulations, graduates—we are proud of you! 🎉🎓☀️

Board Member in Action.

Our very own Joan Hanson was the guest speaker for the Noon Lions Civic Organization. She did a lovely job and entertained many questions from the group after she was done. The Mower County Senior Center is a vibrant and important asset in our community! Thank you, Joan!

One week left to apply for our scholarships. To learn more and apply online, click the link below.

AAF Scholarships - Austin Area Foundation Scholarship applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest. The Robert Justice Memorial Scholarship Purpose The Robert Justice Memorial Scholarship was established in 2026 by his family to honor his legacy and support student athletes. Bob was a life-long resident of Austin who had a long....

.There is still time to apply for scholarships! Applications are open until April 30.

Apply at online by clicking the link below.

AAF Scholarships - Austin Area Foundation Scholarship applications are now closed. Thank you for your interest. The Robert Justice Memorial Scholarship Purpose The Robert Justice Memorial Scholarship was established in 2026 by his family to honor his legacy and support student athletes. Bob was a life-long resident of Austin who had a long....

We had a great Saturday work session with the Austin Area Foundation crew! 💙

Our team continued refining our heart statement—capturing who we are and what drives our work—and also spent time working on our 3–5 year plan as we look ahead to the future.

And of course… no session is complete without the obligatory selfie 📸😊

Scholarship applications are open. Visit https://austinareafoundation.org/aaf-scholarships/ to learn more about the scholarships we offer and apply.

Austin Area Foundation Announces New Executive Director

Austin, MN (March 23, 2026) The Austin Area Foundation (AAF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Chel Page as its new Executive Director, following a search after current executive director Steve Barrett submitted his resignation with plans to retire.

Dr. Page will begin her role on April 1st, succeeding Barrett whose leadership has helped shape the Foundation’s role across the Austin area. She brings a strong background in leadership, community engagement and organizational development. The Board of Trustees says it is confident in her ability to build on the Foundation’s legacy while guiding it into its next chapter of impact and growth.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Page as our next Executive Director,” said Emily Toland, Board Chair. “She brings a deep commitment to community, thoughtful leadership and a vision that closely aligns with our mission. The Board is excited to partner with her as we continue to strengthen philanthropy to support meaningful initiatives throughout the Austin area.”

The Austin Area Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life throughout the Austin area through philanthropy, partnerships, and support for local initiatives. As Executive Director, she will work closely with the Board of Trustees, donors, and community partners to advance the Foundation’s strategic priorities and expand its impact.

“I am honored to join the Austin Area Foundation and to serve this community,” said Dr. Page. “I look forward to working alongside the Board, donors, and community partners to build AAF’s strong foundation and continue supporting and developing initiatives that make the Austin area a vibrant place to live and work.”

The Board extends its sincere appreciation to Steve Barrett for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the Austin Area Foundation and to grow its positive impact on the community.

For more information about The Austin Area Foundation visit www.austinareafoundation.org