Here at Box Car Wind, we don’t plan on waiting for our project to be completed to get started on our community impact.

This is why we are so proud of our local Community Grant Program. Through this program, we've been able to support community initiatives that help this region thrive. Grants are accepted on a rolling basis and are awarded quarterly.

Click here to access the short online application.

As of January 2024, Box Car Wind has donated $170,320 in grants and committed over $24,000 in local sponsorships.

2023 Awardees

Lynd Public Schools Middle School Conservation/Outdoors Program 

Lynd Public Schools houses a program that teaches their middle school students to appreciate the outdoor environment and encourages participation in conservation efforts, like raising trout in their classrooms. This grant will support the purchase of ice fishing gear for up to 60 students, and necessary safety equipment, including a canvas shelter and stove.

Hope Harbor Above Ground Garden Project

Hope Harbor is a Marshall-based nonprofit created to address the growing need for an excellent, effective safe place for teens and parents to heal from past trauma and destructive behaviors. Hope Harbor received funding to create a robust gardening program to teach teens valuable life skills of gardening, enhancing the environment, and food production that can support the entire community beyond Hope Harbor.

Tracy Kid's World

Tracy Kid's World is a nonprofit daycare center that serves families in Southwest Minnesota. With these grant funds, they will replace 15+ year old trikes and bikes and purchase a repair and maintenance kit. These new bikes and trikes will continue to promote gross motor movement and give kids a safe option for outdoor play.

Tracy Kid's World board president, Greg Carlson, and Box Car Wind land agent, Ryan Redlin.

Garvin Fire Department - Jaws of Life Equipment

The Garvin Fire Department currently uses a hydro jaw when trying to cut through cars or rip open vehicle doors. Their current model requires three people to operate and can be cumbersome in life saving situations where every second counts. Box Car Wind donated enough funding to purchase a set of electric jaws, known as the "Jaws of Life" which are much more efficient, adding an extra level of preparation for dangerous situations for the regional community.

Russell Housing, Inc.

This organization helps provide affordable housing in the Russell area. They own and operate an 8-unit apartment building that was built in the 1970s. In 2022, Russell Housing received a grant from Box Car Wind that allowed them to renovate an apartment that would be leased to a local college student. This year, they applied for additional funding to improve the quality of life for its tenants and plan to install railings along the sidewalk for the safety of their senior renters.

Tracy Lions Club - Help Tuck Them In

Help Tuck Them In is a program that builds and delivers beds to children who are without in the Tracy community. These grant funds will go towards the costly materials used to build beds as well as a trailer to deliver them to the recipients.

Operation Prairie Venture

After the closure of the Slayton Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Operation Prairie Venture was created to facilitate and organize efforts to build innovative services and spaces for older adults that enable all generations to live and thrive in a vibrant community. Box Car Wind's grant will serve as a community match to help leverage additional funding for a 20-24 unit regional assisted living/memory care unit.

Lake Wilson Parks and Recreation

The city of Lake Wilson is home to two parks, both of which need upgrades. In the first park, the city will put these funds toward installing electricity in a park concession stand and a picnic shed. These upgrades would allow the city to host food truck nights for the community who no longer have a local café. In the second park, Lake Wilson will use funds to remove and replace old playground equipment to provide children with a safe place to play.

Southwest Minnesota Blaze Baseball - 2023 

The Southwest Minnesota Blaze Baseball is a team of 12 youth baseball players from Southwest Minnesota, formed to represent the region and play together at the American Youth Baseball Hall of Fame Invitational tournament. The team was able to use Box Car Wind's grant funds to support their travel to Cooperstown, NY and compete in a tournament with 100 other teams from across the country -- an opportunity of a lifetime for any young baseball player.

2023's SW Minnesota Blaze Team in Cooperstown, NY.

Russell Cemetery

Since 1897, the Russell Cemetery has been a resting home for the deceased of Russell. The grounds have over seven acres to mow regularly. A local resident is hired to use the grounds’ mower, the current of which is growing tired after 11 years of use. These grant funds will be used to purchase a new 48” mower and trailer to keep the grounds pristine.

Other grant recipients:

• Murray County Central Kindergarten LCD Tablets
• Lakeside Cemetery Association Maintenance Costs
• Marshall YMCA Pickleball Equipment
• Shelburne Township Road Grader
• Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota Meal Funding
• Shady Oaks Native Prairie Adventure Trails
• Murray County Central School’s New Competition Floor
• True Light Christian School
• RTR Educational Foundation
• Ruthton Public School Memorial

2022 Awardees

Tracy Area FFA Greenhouse

Box Car Wind donated funds to complete the construction of a 30’x18’ greenhouse. The students will be able to start seedlings in the greenhouse before planting in the FFA Garden. The plants will help supply food to the school cafeteria and the structure will serve as a tool to educate students about plant life cycle, provide opportunities for hands on learning, and stimulate career exploration and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Murray County Central Schools - Project Lead the Way Curriculum

The Murray County School district is expanding its educational tools to be used in their "Introduction to Engineering Design" class. Box Car Wind sponsored the adoption of curriculum called Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering curriculum that introduces students to design and STEM activities.

Wheels Across the Prairie Museum

Box Car Wind Student Scholarships

Over the past two years, Box Car Wind awarded three local high school seniors with scholarships totaling $17,500 to support their pursuit of a clean energy career. Apex hopes these students bring their education home and join the team for a long, successful career at the Box Car Wind project.

2023 recipients of the Box Car Wind Student Scholarship.

2023 Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup

We'll see you this spring cleaning up Hwy 14!