GENEROSITY - Waseca Area Foundation leaders pose with representatives from area agencies which received grants this fall. More than $100,000 was awarded Thursday evening at the Starfire Event Center in Waseca.
WAF awards more than $100,000
Thu, 11/13/2025 - 1:45am
The Waseca Area Foundation/EF Johnson Foundation held their annual fall grant awards program at the Starfire Event Center in Waseca on Thursday evening, Nov. 6, 2025.
Though the organization started as a “$6,000 pipe dream” in the 80s, when it awarded its first grant of $600, it has now been able to donate more than $13.5 million to area causes, including well over $100,000 Thursday evening.
A long list of grant awards was announced. Each recipient organization present offered a quick summary of its mission then explained the project due to be funded thanks to the grant award. They included: Riverland College - $10,000 for student scholarships; NRHEG High School, $3,000 for senior scholarships; NRHEG Schools, $1,500 for interactive display panels; JWP High School, $3,000 for senior scholarships; Waseca Schools, $20,000 for senior scholarships; Waseca High School - $3,060 for AVID (class) project supplies; Waseca Jr. High Band - $379 for classroom software; Waseca Community Education - $10,000 for youth development grants in memory of Todd Mann; Waseca Community Education, $4,000 for youth summer theater; NRHEG Community Education, $3,000 for youth development grants; Waseca Public Library, $8,000 for teen classes/workshops, the summer concert series and the waseca water carnival; Big Brothers Big Sisters, $7,500 for mentoring support; LIfe Work Planning Center, $3,000 for workshop/program support; Feeding our Community Partners, $3,000 for the JWP backpack program; Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center, $11,483 for food shelf support and $7,500 for the Waseca backpack program; Lutheran Social Services, $3,000 for foster family events; Exchange Club Center for Family Unity, $2,000 parent mentor program; A Fresh Start, $500 for trailer murals; Waseca Chorale, $2,500 for annual concert support; Waseca County Fair, $1,000 fo holiday light attractions; Waseca Art Council, $1,336 for downtown holiday lights; Waseca Sleigh and Cutter, $3,000 for event support; Christmas Time at the Mill, $2,000 for Christmas Time at the Mill.
It was explained during the event that funds provided by the E.F. Johnson family were set aside with the intent they would provide scholarships for local schools, with the majority going to Waseca. A total of $20,000 was awarded to Waseca High School seniors; $3,000 for JWP seniors, $3,000 for NRHEG seniors; and $10,000 for “non-traditional scholarships'' awarded to Riverland (Austin), and South Central College (Mankato and Faribault).
Nearly two dozen non profit organizations received grants during the awards banquet, with more than $100,000 given to benefit Waseca area citizens.
WAF member Amy Potter complimented area organizations for the work they do in support of important causes. “Keep doing what you’re doing,” she said.
The Janesville Area Foundation will have its banquet the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 19.
Looking forward, the spring grant application deadline for New Richland and Waseca will be March 31, 2026.