MCF NEWS ARCHIVES
3/22/05

The Toro Company, Bloomington, announced the results of its first quarter grant awards by the Toro Giving Program. Grants of cash and product totaling over $200,000 were awarded to 35 organizations that provide programs designed to enrich the environment, enhance education, provide access to the arts and give access to the game of golf to those with disabilities. The Toro Company contributes a minimum of two percent of its gross domestic pre-tax profits every year to organizations that preserve the outdoor environment, enhance education and support the community.

"The Giving Program is proud to enrich the environment of Toro communities by supporting these worthy organizations with financial and product donations," said Stacy Bogart, director of the Giving Program.

Toro awarded the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum $20,000 for the upcoming summer exhibit, "Wild about Birds." The company’s $5,000 grant to the partnership of Hope for the City, Community Emergency Assistance Program and Northwest Hennepin Human Services Council will help relieve the need at the food shelves during the summer months by distributing seed to low income families to grow their own produce. Toro also provided a grant of $10,000 to Rolling Readers, a project of Toro’s business partner, Olson Middle School in Bloomington. The Rolling Readers program brings the Toro van filled with books into the Bloomington community once a week for a summer reading program with middle school youth.

In addition to the financial gifts, several local nonprofit organizations benefited from the donation of Toro products to assist them in maintaining their facilities. Volunteers of America, Bar None Residential Treatment facility received over $20,000 in outdoor landscape maintenance equipment and Friendship Ventures will receive a grounds mower.

Nonprofit organizations awarded grants include: Farm in the City, Michigan State University, Pioneer Public Television, S.A.F.E. Foundation, Guthrie Theatre, The Children’s Theatre, Sister Kenny Foundation, National Amputee Golf Association and Milestone Growth Fund.

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