OUR HISTORY

Eagan Community Foundation grew out of discussions in 1990 by educators and business people in Eagan interested in creating a scholarship program for graduating seniors at the newly created Eagan High School. Since then, more than $1.7 million in scholarships has been distributed to over 1,700 students. Additionally, the Foundation has been involved in many community programs and charitable initiatives for the Eagan community. 

Eagan Civic Arena, 1994-95

In 1993, the Eagan Community Foundation was asked by interested groups, to assist in raising the $600,000 in matching funds designated by the City Council to build a new ice arena/recreational facility. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, the Eagan Community Foundation agreed to serve as an “umbrella” charitable organization to handle contributions, distributions and accounting and audits. Our board members also participated in the promotion, fundraising, and marketing needs to open the arena in October of 1995.

“Eagan Forever Green” Tree Replanting Project, 1998-99

In 1998, eighth grader, Kate Munson from Black Hawk Middle School, won an Eagan Community Foundation essay contest suggesting a community-wide effort to plant trees as a way to improve Eagan in a cross-generational approach. Given the heavy damage and loss to trees in spring storms, the City Council, the Eagan Community Foundation and other community volunteers set up the “Eagan Forever Green” Committee making available 5,000 trees at a reduced cost to residents.

Eagan Residents Flood Relief, 2000

The summer of 2000 saw devastating flooding in the Eagan community. There were many families with needs that went beyond what federal assistance was able to provide. In response, the community contributed nearly $125,000 to the Eagan Community Foundation for Eagan Flood Relief Fund. In turn, the Foundation joined with the Eagan faith community to form an “Unmet Needs Committee.” The Unmet Needs Committee developed criteria and identified resources to deploy the financial resources into the community.

Grandfather Tree Project, 2001

Moving an icon of Eagan.

In the early design stage for a new central park in Eagan, the City discovered that a lone burr oak tree — symbolic of the City’s heritage– stood in the place of a planned roadway. Community residents developed a plan to move the tree to a new location in the park. The Eagan Community Foundation served as the fiduciary for the funds raised and brought the community together at informational gatherings to watch the tree’s progress during the move.

A few other milestones:

2012 - 2014: Eagan-wide Talent Show
2016: New Annual Community-wide Happy Hour Began
2018: Youth Philanthropy Initiative Launched
2019: Extraordinary Eagan Board Member Award and Nonprofit Board Leadership Workshop
2020: Our name changed from the Eagan Foundation to the Eagan Community Foundation
The COVID-19 Response Fund and the Racial Equity Fund were added

FIDUCIARY AGENT

The Eagan Foundation is available to serve as the fiscal agent for charitable groups in Eagan who have not yet applied for their own IRS tax exempt status. Donors to the activities of those community groups may have the benefit of receiving a charitable deduction for their contributions and the Foundation assures that donations are accounted for and expended according to IRS guidelines.

CONTACT US

Eagan Community Foundation
P.O. Box 211192
Eagan, MN  55121

Phone: 651-243-1198
Email: admin@eaganfoundation.org