American Crystal Sugar Company - Downtown Community Partnership

Community Roots

American Crystal Giving Program

C Roots

American Crystal Sugar Company is deeply rooted in the communities of the Red River Valley. As a company, we are committed to the sustainability and growth of our business and to improving lives in the places where we work and live. We do that by investing in our people, our communities and the future of our Company. Our support includes scholarships, grants, contributions, volunteerism gifting, matching gifts, donations and more.

American Crystal’s Community Roots giving program is primarily focused on three areas:

  • Strong Communities
  • Education, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
  • Employee Engagement

Strong Communities

We actively support communities where our 4,000-plus employees and shareholders live and work to make a positive impact with in-kind donations, matching gifts, grants, contributions, scholarships and volunteer efforts.

Factory Community Support & Grants

Financial and other forms of support are available in each of the areas where American Crystal factories are located. Giving is focused on education, hunger and emergency services, with awards made to a variety of not-for-profit agencies, including charitable organizations and schools. Requests can be submitted throughout the fiscal year, with awards distributed as long as funds are available.

  • Each factory location distributes local contributions to support a variety of community activities.
  • Each factory also distributes larger grants of $5,000 which require an application. A Factory Contributions Committee at each location evaluates grant requests and makes the awards.

To request support:

For contributions, contact the factory accounting supervisor at a factory nearest you.

For a grant application, click here or access our list of applications in the right hand column.

Supporting Education

American Crystal invests in the future of education through scholarships and partnerships with high schools, tech schools and institutions of higher education to prepare the next generation of researchers, scientists, farmers, agronomists and employees.

Scholarship Program

Our scholarship program began in 2008 as one of several community-focused initiatives. Since that time, the company has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Altogether, American Crystal awards 108 scholarships to graduating seniors in the Red River Valley each year.

  • 49 $1,000 scholarships to graduating Red River Valley high school seniors
    Awarded to graduating high school seniors pursuing an undergraduate degree at an institute of higher education in one or more of the following fields of study: science, agriculture, engineering, math and technology. Each area high school forms a scholarship committee to review the applicants and select a recipient.How to apply
    Scholarship applications are available from the counselor’s office at each high school. Deadlines are set by each school and completed applications are turned into the high school counselor’s office – not to American Crystal.While we prefer students contact their high school for an application, they can also be accessed by clicking here or from our list of applications in the right hand column.
  • One $10,000 Al Bloomquist Memorial Scholarship
    This scholarship honors Al Bloomquist, who was instrumental in transforming American Crystal from a privately held sugar company into the nation’s first grower-owned beet sugar cooperative. The Al Bloomquist scholarship winner is chosen in a blind drawing with the names of all 49 American Crystal $1,000 scholarship winners.
  • 49 $500 scholarships to high school seniors going to technical or vocational schools
    Awarded to graduating high school seniors attending a technical or vocational school in one or more of the following fields of study: science, agriculture, engineering, math and technology. Each area high school forms a scholarship committee to review the applicants and select a recipient.How to apply
    Scholarship applications are available from the counselor’s office at each high school. Deadlines are set by each school and completed applications are turned into the high school counselor’s office – not to American Crystal.While we prefer students contact their high school for an application, they can also be accessed by clicking here or from our list of applications in the right hand column.
  • 10 $1,000 scholarships to children of employees
    Awarded to children of current employees who meet program eligibility requirements. Recipients are selected in July by drawing 10 applications from all qualifying applications submitted.How to apply
    Employees can download the Child of Employee Scholarship Application by clicking here or accessing the application in the right hand column. The deadline for applications is May 30.
  • STEM Grant Competition
    American Crystal awards grants in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics each year to secondary schools in the Red River Valley. Special consideration in the competition for these grants is given to projects that focus on STEM applications in agriculture. A total of $25,000 in grants is awarded each fiscal year, with a maximum grant of $5,000 for an individual program. Other awards range from $500 to $1,000.How to apply
    Applications will be accepted from July 1 through the deadline of September 30. For STEM Grant Competition details and application can be accessed by clicking here or from our list of applications in the right hand column.

Employee Engagement

American Crystal employees contribute greatly to the company’s success. While that’s rewarding and positive for results, our true pride is in the involvement of our people – whether they volunteer their time to an organization or donate with their pocketbooks – they make a difference. We encourage and support their community involvement efforts.

Employee Community Service Gift

American Crystal encourages local leadership and volunteerism by making a $500 donation on behalf of qualified individual employees to the organizations they serve. Community Service Gifts are distributed on a “first come, first served” basis, with the budget for each year set at the beginning of the fiscal year. Gifts will continue until the funds are gone.

How to apply
Employees can access details and an application for an Employee Community Service Gift by clicking here or access our list of applications in the right hand column.

Employee Matching Gift Program

American Crystal assists many nonprofit organizations and educational institutions by combining the generosity of employee gifts with matching Company funds. This activity doubles the contribution to the benefiting organization. The program works by encouraging employees to personally support qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations that are important to them. All year-round and campaign employees of American Crystal are eligible to request matching gifts each fiscal year.

How to apply
Employees can click here to access our matching gifts form or access our list of applications in the right hand column. Employees can also check with their local HR and administrative personnel for printed forms.

Employee Team Sports Sponsorship

American Crystal wants to support the efforts of our employees to form a team that participates in an organized sport. In order for American Crystal to sponsor an employee’s team, the team must be at least 50% and have a minimum of four team members. The team must participate in an organized league. The sponsorship amount is limited to $700 and can be used for fees and/or uniforms.

How to apply

Employees can click here to access our team sponsorship form or access our list of applications in the right hand column. Employees can also check with their local HR and administrative personnel for printed forms

 

United Way

Annual United Way Campaigns

Three United Way organizations function in Red River Valley counties where American Crystal operates facilities. They include: United Way of Cass-Clay, United Way of Crookston, and United Way of Grand Forks – East Grand Forks. We partner with each of these United Way organizations in their annual fundraising drives.

American Crystal commits a dollar-for-dollar match with our employees who donate to their local United Way. In addition to informational meetings to increase awareness of the excellent service performed by United Way, we hold special auctions, drawings and events to raise our giving levels.

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