Otter Tail Power Company Foundation – Community Grants (March 2027 Deadline)

Grants Supporting Education, Community Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Human Services in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota

The Otter Tail Power Company Foundation provides charitable grants to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions working to strengthen communities across its electric service territory. Funding supports community and cultural development, education, environmental sustainability, and health and human services.

The Foundation generally awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, although larger awards may be considered for significant projects. Funding typically covers no more than 20% of total project costs.

The next application deadline is March 1, 2027, for requests under $5,000, with decisions made during March.

Organization: Otter Tail Power Company Foundation
Support Type: Corporate foundation grants
Geographic Focus: Otter Tail Power Company service communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Typical Funding Amount: $1,000–$5,000
Application Deadline: March 1, 2027
Review Period: March 2027 for requests under $5,000

About the Funder

Otter Tail Power Company is an electric utility serving communities across western Minnesota, eastern North Dakota, and northeastern South Dakota.

Established in 2018, the Otter Tail Power Company Foundation supports charitable organizations and educational institutions that improve quality of life in the company’s service area.

The Foundation focuses on supporting young people, developing the current and future workforce, strengthening local communities, improving health and human services, and protecting natural resources.

In 2025, Otter Tail Power Company reported $907,563 in charitable giving to strengthen the communities it serves.

What This Program Supports

The Foundation invests in four primary charitable giving areas.

Community, Civic & Cultural Development

Funding supports initiatives that strengthen local communities and expand economic and cultural opportunities.

Priority activities include:

• Community and economic development
• Arts and cultural programming
• Projects expanding access to arts and culture
• Cultural opportunities for underserved populations
• Community enrichment initiatives
• Programs strengthening local quality of life

The Foundation particularly emphasizes expanding cultural access for underserved communities.

Education

The Foundation supports educational opportunities for children, youth, and college students.

Priority activities include:

• Early childhood education
• Programs strengthening children’s physical, mental, and social development
• Higher education initiatives
• Educational curricula related to energy and industry
• Science and engineering education
• Business, economics, and political science education
• Capital improvements supporting relevant higher education programs

The Foundation places particular emphasis on higher education programs connected to energy, industry, and workforce preparation.

Environmental Sustainability

Funding supports environmental education and sustainability initiatives that protect natural resources.

Priority activities include:

• Land conservation
• Water resource protection
• Air quality protection
• Environmental education
• Community sustainability initiatives
• Partnerships between businesses and communities focused on environmental protection

Projects that build strong partnerships between businesses and local communities are especially relevant.

Health & Human Services

The Foundation supports programs assisting individuals and families experiencing significant challenges.

Priority activities include:

• Hunger relief and food assistance
• Poverty-related services
• Domestic violence prevention and survivor support
• Homelessness prevention and assistance
• Programs supporting people with disabilities
• Services addressing essential human needs
• Community-based family support

Funding is intended to strengthen local organizations providing direct benefits to residents in Otter Tail Power Company’s service territory.

Eligible Support Types

Community & Program Grants

Funding is available for charitable programs and projects aligned with the Foundation’s four priority areas.

Educational Grants

The Foundation supports eligible educational institutions and projects, including certain higher education capital improvements and curriculum initiatives.

Larger Project Grants

Requests exceeding $5,000 may be considered for significant projects closely aligned with the Foundation’s priorities.

These larger requests follow a different review schedule.

Institutional Scholarship Support

Colleges and universities may apply through the Foundation’s Scholarship Program to request funding for student scholarships.

The Foundation does not award scholarships directly to individual students.

Eligibility & Geographic Focus

Eligible applicants generally include:

• Organizations recognized as 501(c)(3) public charities
• Public and private educational institutions
• Volunteer fire departments
• Rural emergency medical technician services

The Foundation does not fund private foundations.

Geographic Eligibility

Funding is restricted to organizations and projects directly benefiting communities within Otter Tail Power Company’s electric service area.

The company’s service territory spans approximately 70,000 square miles across portions of three states.

Minnesota

Western and northwestern Minnesota, including eligible communities in the Bemidji, Crookston, Fergus Falls, and Morris service areas.

North Dakota

Eastern and central North Dakota, including eligible communities in the Devils Lake, Garrison, Jamestown, Rugby, and Wahpeton service areas.

South Dakota

Northeastern South Dakota, including eligible communities in the Milbank service area.

The program is not open statewide across all three states. Applicants must confirm that their project directly benefits an eligible Otter Tail Power Company service community.

Organizations in Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo, North Dakota, and West Fargo, North Dakota, should note that these communities are served through the separate philanthropic activities of the Otter Tail Corporation Foundation rather than the Otter Tail Power Company Foundation.

Ineligible Requests

The Foundation does not fund:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) public charity status, except qualifying educational institutions, volunteer fire departments, and rural EMT services
• Private foundations
• Requests outside the company’s service territory
• Grants to individuals
• Employee salaries
• Lobbying, political, or fraternal groups
• Doors, windows, roofs, or heating systems
• Programs presenting a potential conflict of interest to the company
• Religious organizations, unless the proposed charitable activity benefits the broader community without promoting a particular faith
• Fundraising events
• Social events
• Goodwill advertising
• General operating support for educational institutions

Applicants should ensure that proposed expenditures align with the Foundation’s charitable funding restrictions.

Funding Amounts

Typical Grant Range: $1,000–$5,000

Larger Awards: Available selectively for significant projects aligned with Foundation priorities.

Project Funding Limit: Generally no more than 20% of total project costs.

For example, a nonprofit proposing a $20,000 project would generally seek no more than approximately $4,000 from the Foundation.

Applicants should identify other anticipated funding sources and explain how the requested grant fits within the overall project budget.

The Foundation does not publish a fixed maximum award amount.

Timeline & Review

The Foundation maintains four annual application deadlines, with separate review schedules based on the size of the request.

Requests Under $5,000

Applications are reviewed and decided in March, May, August, and November.

Requests Over $5,000

The Foundation meets twice annually, in May and November, to determine and distribute funding for requests exceeding $5,000.

Applicants seeking larger awards should plan around those review periods and confirm the appropriate submission timing with the Foundation.

The Foundation does not publish a separate review schedule for requests of exactly $5,000.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grant application.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should verify that:

• Their organization meets the Foundation’s charitable eligibility requirements
• The proposed project benefits an eligible service-area community
• The request aligns with at least one of the four funding priorities
• The requested amount is appropriate relative to the total project cost

Step 2: Prepare Required Information

Applicants must be prepared to provide:

• A list of organizational officers and board members
• An overview of the proposed project
• An explanation of how the project aligns with the Foundation’s priorities
• Expected community impact and how that impact will be measured
• Organizational history and background
• Physical locations and communities served
• The organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt determination letter, where applicable

Step 3: Develop a Project Budget

Applicants should clearly identify:

• Total project cost
• Amount requested from the Foundation
• Other funding sources
• Expected outcomes and benefits

The Foundation generally limits its participation to 20% of the overall project cost.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the online application by March 1, 2027, for the next review cycle for requests under $5,000.

Applicants requesting larger awards should consult the Foundation about the appropriate May or November review cycle.

Step 5: Await Review

Requests under $5,000 submitted for the March cycle are reviewed and decided during March.

Contact Information

Otter Tail Power Company Foundation
Phone: 218-739-8400

Apply / Learn More: https://www.otpco.com/about-us/foundation/

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is particularly well suited for organizations that:

• Serve Otter Tail Power Company communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota
• Seek grants in the $1,000–$5,000 range
• Provide hunger relief, housing assistance, or other essential human services
• Support early childhood education or educational enrichment
• Develop higher education programs connected to energy, engineering, or industry
• Protect land, water, or air resources
• Expand arts and cultural access for underserved populations
• Have additional funding sources available for a larger project
• Can demonstrate measurable local impact

The Otter Tail Power Company Foundation offers a recurring funding opportunity for nonprofits and educational organizations strengthening communities across its three-state electric service territory.

Its clearly defined funding priorities, quarterly review opportunities for smaller requests, and selective support for larger projects make it a useful option for organizations with specific, measurable community improvement initiatives.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Quarterly for requests under $5,000; twice annually for larger requests
Next Deadline: March 1, 2027
Typical Grant Amount: $1,000–$5,000
Project Funding Share: Generally no more than 20%
Geographic Focus: Electric service communities in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota
Best Suited For: Community nonprofits, educational institutions, and eligible emergency service organizations
Important Distinction: This is the Otter Tail Power Company Foundation, not the separate Otter Tail Corporation Foundation.