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Foundation

Our tradition of giving to and caring for the communities we serve is at the core of who we are.

In 2018 we established the Otter Tail Power Company Foundation with the mission to support young minds, invest in our current and future workforce, create vibrant culture and vital communities, improve health and human services, and protect our natural resources. 

What we fund

We provide financial support to public charities and educational organizations that directly impact the communities we serve.

View our service area

  • Community, civic, and cultural development: We support economic and cultural development, especially expanding access to arts and culture for underserved communities. 

  • Education: We support early childhood education programs that build physical, mental, and social strength in youth. We also fund higher education, focusing on curricula and capital improvements in business, political science, economics, engineering, and the sciences, especially as they relate to energy and industry. 

  • Environment: We support sustainability and environmental education programs that protect land, water, and air, especially those that build strong partnerships between businesses and communities. 

  • Health and human services: We support programs that assist individuals and families facing challenges like hunger, poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, and disabilities. 

We aren’t able to fund:  

  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status. (Exceptions include public and private educational institutions, volunteer fire departments, and rural EMT services.) We're not able to provide funding to private foundations.

  • Requests from outside our service area. 

  • Individuals or employee salaries. 

  • Lobbying, political, or fraternal groups. 

  • Requests for doors, windows, roofs, or heating systems. 

  • Programs that pose a potential conflict of interest to the company. 

  • Religious organizations, unless the organization is seeking charitable funds in the direct interest of the entire community and not to promote a particular faith. 

  • Fundraising events, social events, or goodwill advertising. 

  • General operating support for educational institutions. 

How to apply

We review and decide on requests under $5,000 in March, May, August, and November and meet twice annually in May and November to determine and distribute funding for requests over $5,000.  

Application deadlines are March 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. 

The Foundation considers financial support on a per-project basis. In general, funding awards total no more than 20% of overall project cost. We provide funding for many requests within the $1,000 to $5,000 range and selectively award larger amounts for significant projects aligned with our priority giving areas. 

Colleges and universities also may complete an online application through our Scholarship Program to request funds for student scholarships. The Foundation does not award scholarships directly to students.

Be prepared to include:

  • A list of your organization's officers and board of directors. 

  • An overview of the project for which you’re requesting funding. 

  • A summary of how your request fits one or more of our priority funding areas. 

  • An outline of your anticipated impact and how you plan to measure that impact. 

  • A description of your organization, its history, and the physical location(s) it serves. 

  • Your organizations tax exempt status letter under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. 

Apply today

The Power of Two: Making change together

Through volunteer efforts and charitable donations, our employees support causes and organizations close to their hearts, creating meaningful impact in the places we call home. 

Each year, employees who contribute at least 24 hours of personal volunteer time or make a personal donation to a qualifying nonprofit organization are eligible for a $250 donation to that organization from our Foundation.

Meet the people behind the power

Connecting with our communities

In 2025 we gave $907,563 to strengthen our communities. View a summary of our 2025 giving to see where we've made an impact over the last year.

In addition to our Foundation, each of our Customer Service Centers provides charitable support for local donation and sponsorship requests. We also coordinate conservation efforts and programs in which we provide localized assistance and rebates. And many of our teams participate in community-based efforts and provide in-kind work, using their time and talents to give back to our communities. 

Contact us

Have questions about the application process or what our Foundation funds? Please reach out.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 218-739-8400

Note that the Otter Tail Corporation Foundation is a separate foundation of our parent company, Otter Tail Corporation. The Otter Tail Corporation Foundation reviews and funds organizations in the Moorhead, Fargo, and West Fargo areas, which aren't in Otter Tail Power Company's service area.