Cleaned and fresh!

The Emerado Community Endowment Fund has awarded over $6,700 in 10 grants since its inception in 2014. Recent grant awards are listed below:

Grant Awarded in 2024

• Emerado Cemetery - $2,000 new gravel

Grants Awarded in 2023

• Emerado Museum - $1,000 for Cook Car repairs (see below for photos)
• Emerado Community Food Pantry - $820

Grants Awarded in 2022

• Emerado Museum - $1,100 for new shelving
• Emerado Park Board - $429 for a dehumidifier and two new wooden high chairs for the Community Center

Grant Awarded in 2021

• Emerado Volunteer Fire Dept - $1,120.97 Community Museum & Food Pantry

Grants Awarded in 2020

• Operation Homefront, INC - $200 Meals for Military members
• Emerado Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department - $664 Establishment of an Emerado Food Pantry & Museum at the Former Emerado Presbyterian Church

Grant Awarded in 2019

• Emerado Community Development Committee - $665.82 toward a Emerado Welcomes You sign

Cook Car donated by the Sand Family

How to Apply for a Grant from the Emerado Community Endowment Fund

The Emerado Community Endowment Fund makes grants to the following entities:

1.  Organizations designated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization under IRS Code 501(c)3 or to government entities (school, park district, city etc)

2.  Qualifying organizations that serve the community of Emerado, ND 

Deadline: June 30

How to Apply:

We made it easy for you to apply online for a grant!

Step 1 - Review

Review the grant guidelines above to make sure your organization qualifies.

Step 2 - Register

Create an account on our Grants Portal. You will need your organization’s name, EIN, and executive officer's name. Be sure to write down your user name (email address) and password.

Step 3 – Complete Your Application

After registering or logging in, you will arrive at the application section. Click “Apply” to the right of the grant program to which you wish to apply. If you do not see your desired grant program on the list, contact our office. You will be able to save your application and return later to complete it.

Click here for more detailed instructions and tips for using our online grant system. (PDF)

Other Funds Managed by NDCF in the Emerado area

Emerado School Playground Project Fund:  This fund was established in 2010 to support the Emerado School playground building project.

Plan Your Legacy

Making a lasting difference in our community or for future generations may be easier than you realize.  With very simple language in your will or trust, you can help the Emerado Community Endowment Fund (ECEF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to the ECEF are carefully invested by our partner foundation - the North Dakota Community Foundation - to generate a  permanent source of charitable income.

If you have children or other relatives, you can leave a portion of your estate to them and a percentage to the ECEF. Doing so provides for your heirs while honoring your charitable values.

Brothers Russell and Dale Brown left gifts to the communities of Lisbon and Milnor, ND, in their estate plans.

Getting Started

1.  Download our free Estate Planning Guide - it contains helpful information and things to consider as you develop your own unique plan.

2.  Reach out to an Emerado Community Endowment Fund committee member to learn more about the charities and needs in our area.

3.  Consider discussing (confidentially) your vision with our NDCF gift planner Amy Stromsodt.  She has many years of experience helping donors create their charitable vision and better prepare for their discussions with financial planners. Amy's cell is 701-741-3193 or you can email her at Amy@NDCF.net.

4.  Contact your professional advisors (financial planner, attorney and/or accountant) and ask for help in establishing a charitable gift to our foundation.

5.  Make sure your will or living trust is up-to-date and reflects your charitable goals.

6.  Consider notifying the charitable organizations about the gift you plan to leave them.  They will appreciate your generosity and will want to know what you’d like them to do with your eventual gift if it isn't clear.

Language for Your Will or Living Trust

Susanne Mattheis wished to support several different charitable organizations in Bismarck after she passed. NDCF helped her craft a plan that accomplished her charitable goals and provided long-term support to the Public Library, Symphony Orchestra, and five other local entities.

If you would like to include the Emerado Community Endowment Fund in your will, here is some sample language to consider:

“I give and bequeath to the North Dakota Community Foundation (Tax ID Number 45-0336015), a qualified charitable organization under IRS 501(c)(3), located in Bismarck, North Dakota, ___________ (a percentage of the estate, specific dollar amount, or remainder of estate) for the Emerado Community Endowment Fund, a permanent component of the North Dakota Community Foundation.”

*  Be sure to contact your legal advisor.

There are many other ways to make a deferred gift to your community, including

• Making NDCF (and your specific community fund) the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, IRA, 401K, or commercial annuity
• Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity with NDCF
• Other more sophisticated tools, depending on your unique situation

To investigate options and learn more about how other North Dakotans have given back, visit our planned giving website at www.NDCF.net/Plan.