Fairmount Community Endowment Fund

The Fairmount Community Endowment Fund has awarded over $34,000 in 30 grants since its inception in 2011. Recent grant awards are listed below.

Grants Awarded in 2024

• Fairmount Public School  
  • $2,000 Claire and Evelyn Hermes Scholarship Fund
  • $1,000 Library Enhancement
• Fairmount Community Center - $210 replace faucets in bathrooms and kitchen, replace paper towel holder with automatic dispensers 
• Fairmount Park Board - $600 Picnic Table for Fairmount Park
• The Village Family Service Center - $410 Therapeutic Supplies for area students

Grants Awarded in 2023

• Fairmount Public School - $1,200 FBO of Hermes Scholarship
• Fairmount Park Board - $1,425 for playground equipment
• Milton C. Stevenson Post 106 - $1,425 Veteran's Memorial Monument Fund

Grants Awarded in 2022

• Fairmount Public School - $2,000 for scholarships
• Fairmount Community Center - $967 to replace some toilets
• Fairmount Park Board - $968 for playground equipment

Grants Awarded in 2021

• Fairmount Public School - $2,000 Claire & Evelyn Hermes Scholarship Fund
• Fairmount Community Center - $546 to complete the installation of the LED sign
• Fairmount Park Board - $546 to help purchase new aluminum bleacher planks for baseball, softball, and football field use
• Fairmount Public School - $546 for "All About Common Spaces"

Grants Awarded in 2020

• Fairmount Community Center - $1,944 New Sign
• Fairmount Park Board - $1,600 Purchase New Mower

Grants Awarded in 2019

• Fairmount Public School - $2,000 Claire & Evelyn Hermes Merit Scholarship
• Fairmount Public School - $1,355 Toward New Press Box & Scoreboard at Football Field

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

Granting Guidelines

• Grants shall be awarded to organizations that serve the community of Fairmount.
• Grants will generally not exceed $1,000 per application. Organizations may qualify for one grant per year.
• Annually, a minimum 25% of the grantable balance (not to exceed $2,000) shall be awarded to the Fairmount Public School for the Claire and Evelyn Hermes Scholarship.
• Grants will not be given for day-to-day operations.
• Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community.
• To be considered for a grant, organizations must submit a completed application which contains all information requested on the application form.
• Grants will be awarded in the Spring of each year.

Apply from May 1-May 31

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 Fairmount Area

Claire & Evelyn Hermes Merit Scholarship: Established in 2011 by the children of Claire and Evelyn Hermes, the Claire and Evelyn Hermes Merit Scholarship was established to provide financial assistance to graduating seniors, college freshman, college sophomores and/or college juniors from Fairmount, ND Public High School to continue their post-secondary education.

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 Fairmount Community Endowment Fund (FCEF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to the FCEF 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 FCEF. 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 a Fairmount 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 Fairmount 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 Fairmount 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.