Enriching lives through innovation and creative collaboration

The Schmeeckle Private Foundation is a family foundation serving Martin County, Minnesota. The Foundation is carrying on the legacy of long-time Martin County resident Juanita Ellen (Teubner) Schmeeckle to provide grants for the betterment of Martin County.

Schmeeckle Foundation

Serving Martin County, Minnesota

Three principal areas of funding:

Early Childhood Care and Education

The Schmeeckle Foundation is focusing grant funds on affordable child care, affordable
pre-kindergarten education, and educational programs for students.

Disabled and Elderly

The Schmeeckle Foundation is also focusing grant funds to help the elderly with resources and programs to support their well-being. In addition, The Schmeeckle Foundation is focusing grant funds to help ensure the disabled in need have the resources available to assist them so they will have access to high quality programs that empower them to make their way productively and creatively in their communities.

Arts

The Schmeeckle Foundation is focusing grant funds to enhance the Arts opportunities in Martin County ensuring future generations living in Martin County will have even greater places and resources to live and raise a family.

Fri, Aug 23th

Matching grants will be awarded to organizations with 501(c)(3) status who serve the communities located in Martin County. A match is required on all grants. Preference is given to grant applicants that thoughtfully answer these questions: Will the project create new ways of doing business not only for your organization, but for other organizations;
Is it new for your organization or built on other ideas; Is it collaborative with other non-profits;
Does it raise community involvement to a new level; What new investment funds are anticipated;
Will your project help grow and improve the quality of life for all in Martin County;
Will your project become self-sustaining;

Will your project make day to day life easier and better for all in Martin County

Learn More

Learn More About Schmeeckle Foundation Grants Current Grant Round:

Applications due April 30, 2019
Announcements made mid-June 2019.

A major intent of this grant program is to receive and successfully implement new ideas, provide working relationships with other non-profit organizations, and spur new financial and other commitments from the community to show support for projects that will improve and benefit Martin County, Minnesota.

Innovation is what is important, but before innovation there must be new ideas and plans to apply those ideas. We want to help organizations try new things. Will there be failures? Of course, but that is how we learn. And by learning, we all move forward and show how other non-profits can facilitate their missions.

We realize that these criteria are probably different from what you may be used to in other grant applications. That is intentional. Are you up to the challenge?

Community Challenge

Schmeeckle Foundation
Small Grants Program

The Schmeeckle Foundation will award small grants of up to $1,500 each, with an annual limit of $18,000 in small grants given, beginning in 2018. No matching funds will be required on these grants; however, we challenge the recipients to "pay it forward" and grow their grant by requesting funds from others to help with their project and hopefully start something that will continue to grow.

Requirements and Application Process:

1. Funds must be used in Martin County, Minnesota

2. Project must benefit one of our three focus areas:

Early Childhood Care and Education (includes youth and mentoring)

Disabled and Elderly (projects to ensure meaningful lives)

Arts Programs (including music) to enhance our community

3. Application - Write a letter to the Schmeeckle Foundation, Attn: Small Grants, 204 Lake Avenue, Suite 201, Fairmont, MN 56031.

Describe your project

Tell us what the funds will be used for

Include the dollar amount you are requesting

If you have any questions, contact a Schmeeckle Foundation trustee or representative. Their contact information is below.

Juanita Ellen (Teubner) Schmeeckle

Juanita’s wish was that as her legacy she could do things that would help the people of Martin County especially the children and disabled and elderly.

Juanita Ellen (Teubner) Schmeeckle was born on December 25, 1922, at her parent's home in Center Creek Township, Martin County, MN. She was the daughter of Windom and Grace (Doolittle) Teubner. Juanita graduated from Huntley Consolidated School in 1941. She furthered her education at Mankato Commercial College.

After school, Juanita moved to Texas where she married Alex Pope, who fought and died in World War II. She then moved to Southern California where she met Roland Schmeeckle. The couple married in 1956, in Santa Clara, CA.
Juanita and Roland owned and operated an auto repair business while Juanita owned and operated a beauty salon. Years later, they started Roland's Equipment Company, Inc. in Anaheim, CA. The couple shared thirty-six years together before Roland passed away on May 3, 1992. After Roland passed away, Juanita continued to operate the business for several years. She eventually sold the company and returned to Minnesota.

In her earlier years, Juanita was an avid ballroom dancer as well as an accomplished painter. She also enjoyed collecting, traveling around the world and especially loved the company of her many pets throughout the years.

Long-time Martin County resident

We are carrying on her legacy with the Schmeeckle Foundation.