We value community. Our mission is to connect with our communities 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.

Our Priorities

We focus our resources on the communities where we work and live. Our funds are for innovative projects and programs that create measurable impact in our areas of emphasis. 

Collaborative efforts and initiatives that fit more than one of our areas of emphasis will receive greater consideration for funding. 

• Education, especially early childhood education and programs that support schools of higher learning with special interest in curricula and capital improvements in the studies of business, economics, engineering and the sciences, especially as they relate to energy and industrial industries. 
• Health and human services, including initiatives and programs that help individuals and families facing daily living challenges like 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, especially expanding access to arts and culture for underserved communities. 
• Environment programs that emphasize preservation, environmental education and stewardship of our land, water, and air, especially those that build strong partnerships between businesses and communities. 

Application Information

We’ll open our 2026 application process for funding requests in the second quarter. 

When the application link is available, we’ll post it here. As you’re preparing your application, 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 organization’s tax exempt status letter under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. The Otter Tail Corporation Foundation can provide funding only to 501(c)(3) public nonprofits.

Employee Giving

To apply for Charity Choice and Higher Education funds:

• Complete and submit the Charity Choice application (Corporate and Manufacturing employees only. For Otter Tail Power employees, please access the Power of Two option in Otter Connect).
• Complete and submit the Higher Education application (employees and board members only).

Contact Us

Have questions? Please reach out to us at foundation@ottertail.com. 

Annual Report

2024 Summary of Giving

2023 Summary of Giving

2022 Summary of Giving