Nicholson hired to replace Berndt, who announced her retirement

Scott Nicholson is joining the staff of the North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF). Nicholson will serve as the new full-time development director of the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation (RWCF).

Nicholson is succeeding Jana Berndt, who served as the RWCF’s part-time development director since November 2020. Nicholson shared his excitement for the new opportunity.

“I’m looking forward to carrying on the great work that Jana and her predecessors had established for us, especially with the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation,” Nicholson said.

Announcing Nicholson’s hiring, the NDCF shared his credentials. They include graduating from North Dakota State University with a degree in Business Administration. Nicholson was previously the community banker team lead at Bremer Bank in Breckenridge, Minnesota. He has served on the RWCF Advisory Committee for two years.

“I’m really excited and appreciative of everything that has been done to prepare me for this and even more excited for taking this forward,” Nicholson said.

Berndt acknowledged the mixed emotions surrounding her departure as part-time development director.

“I’m moving onto a new chapter in my life, spending time with my family and traveling during my retirement,” Berndt said. “I spent more than 24 years with this wonderful organization, as a volunteer for more than 20 years and as the part-time development director for more than three years. It is kind of hard to walk away — it’s been my baby.”

At the same time, Berndt shared her excitement about the future.

“Scott will do a wonderful job,” she said. “He’s got the skills and the contacts to do amazing work. I’m also especially excited that the NDCF has decided to make development director a full-time position. There is a great opportunity for all of us in the Southern Red River Valley to continue making a difference.”

The Richland Wilkin Community Foundation is poised to continue doing amazing work, Berndt said. It will continue to promote and support the Southern Red River Valley’s numerous non-profits and their missions of bettering the quality of life for all citizens and as a community.

“We are so thankful to Jana for the passion and commitment she has for growing philanthropy in our area,” RWCF Advisory Committee Chair Char Schuler said. “We wish her well in her retirement and are excited to have Scott take the reins for the next chapter.”

The RWCF is the major philanthropic organization for Richland County, North Dakota, and Wilkin County, Minnesota. The organization raises funds and provides grant dollars to projects and programs primarily through three different funds: a permanent endowment fund that was established in 1985, an annual campaign fund (the former United Way of Richland Wilkin), and a Power of 100 fund that encourages social philanthropy.

Since 1985, the RWCF has awarded a total of over $580,000 in grants to organizations and projects in Richland and Wilkin counties.

In addition to the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation, Nicholson will also be supporting other communities and NDCF funds in this part of the state.

“Scott brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to this position,” NDCF President and CEO Kevin Dvorak said. “We are confident he is going to do an excellent job serving the people of southeastern North Dakota.”

Article submitted by Frank Stanko, Wahpeton Daily News Reporter

2023 Fall Awards make a huge impact in the region

The Richland Wilkin Community Foundation’s advisory board announced Thursday, Nov. 30, the awarding of 16 grants to nonprofit agencies in Richland County, North Dakota, and Wilkin County, Minnesota. A grand total of $33,250 will be awarded.

The foundation, also known as RWCF, has an annual fund and an endowment fund. The annual fund awarded 11 grants totaling $27,750. The endowment fund awarded five grants totaling $5,500.

“We are grateful for the community foundation and their work in the area,” said Superintendent Kristie Sullivan, Breckenridge Public Schools. “We appreciate the grant to support our robotics program. This grant will allow us to improve our program and give our high school kids the opportunity to compete at another level.”

Area agencies and their projects included in the fall grant round include:

• A Place for Friends, to purchase activity supplies

• Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP), for food vouchers

• City of Breckenridge — Family Community Center, for increased hours over the winter

• Friends of the Leach Public Library, for continuation of the digital newspaper project

• Red Door Art Gallery, for repairs of the historic tile steps

• Richland Wilkin Backpack Program, for the food in the kids’ packs

• Richland Wilkin Food Pantry, for the food for families in need

• Richland County Historical Society, for improved security at the museum

• Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency (SENDCAA), for emergency assistance to low income residents

• Three Rivers Crisis Center and Kids Konnection, for general operations

• We Care Coalition, for outreach costs

• BIO Girls, to support three sites in the Richland-Wilkin counties area

• Breckenridge Public Schools No. 846, for the robotics class

• NDSCS Alumni/Foundation, to support the Speaker Series

• United Methodist Church — Community Choir and Orchestra Christmas Cantata, to support the annual event

• Wilkin County Historical Society, to refinish the basement flooring

Members of Breckenridge’s robotics class attended Thursday’s event, talking about their program and demonstrating some of their robots.

Breckenridge Public Schools robotics students talked about their program and demonstrated robots Thursday. Pictured from left are Josh Hofman, Jacob Nicholson, Trey Vogelbacher and Henry Slettedahl, plus fellow guests Angie Cleveland and Tom Haire.

“In 2021, the foundation started the Power of 100 event to increase awareness of the wonderful work being done in the region,” RWCF stated. “The event is held 3-4 times per year to showcase various nonprofits and their work. The evening is a fun way to raise funds, raise awareness, and have some great fellowship with other community members. To date, we have granted out $27,500 to area nonprofits.”

Nearly 40 years ago, in the fall of 1984, the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation was organized to provide funds for the community arts, services to disadvantaged, historic preservation, youth services, mental and physical health services, parks and community recreation, and educational services.

“The purpose of the community foundation, which is administered through the North Dakota Community Foundation, is to award grants to initiate worthwhile community and youth projects for which no other funds are available,” RWCF stated. “The major objective is to assist in the development of self-help programs in the community.”

An average grant is between $1,000-$2,500. There may be special requests that require the board to exceed this amount, but those are awarded on a limited basis. RWCF’s goal is to reach as many groups as possible that are working towards making the Richland-Wilkin area a better place to live. It has awarded over $325,000 since its inception.

“In 2020, RWCF assumed work with the annual fund, previously held at the Richland Wilkin United Way, strengthening the organization and the partnership with nonprofit groups in the two-county area,” RWCF stated. “The foundation now has the capability to fund through the annual giving fund or the permanent fund, depending on the nature of the grant request.”

Individuals interested in supporting the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation’s work can donate to either their annual giving or their permanent fund at www.NDCF.net/RichlandWilkin. For more information, contact Chairperson Jana Berndt at 701-640-2058 or any board member of the advisory group.

1st Annual RWCF - Titan Machinery Golf Event a huge success!

Titan Machinery and RWCF teamed up for their 1st Annual Golf Tournament raising over $14,000. Organizers are very pleased with the first year and are planning for another year in 2023. Many hole sponsors and corporate sponsors helped with the day! Pictured are some of leaders responsible for planning this year's event. Marcia Richman, Jana Berndt, RWCF Development Director, Daric Pfingsten, GM from Titan Machinery, Ursie Hurst, Titan, John Richman, former chair of the RWCF, and Troy Thimjon, Board member of the RWCF.

A huge thank you to your Corporate Sponsors - $500 Level:

• Titan Machinery
• Red River Grain
• MinnKota Ag Products
• New Holland
• CaseIH/CNHi Capital
• Unverferth Manufacturing
• MacDon Industries
• Norwood Sales
• Edney Industries
• ACH Sugarbeet Seed
• Dan Onchuck - Pioneer Seeds

And our Hole Sponsors $150 Level:

• Perry & Denise Miller
• Cook Chiropractic
• Smith Motors
• Ryan Smith - Edward Jones
• Bremer Bank
• Bell Bank
• Thimjon Farms - Jay and Troy Thimjon
• Ag Country
• Wilkin Eatery
• Giant Snacks
• Jim Anderson LTD
• The City Brew Hall
• Wahpeton Daily News
• RDO - Breckenridge
• Dick & Diane Cordes
• Red River Valley & Western Railroad
• Smith Strege Fredericksen, Butts LTD
• Summerville Electric
• ServiceMaster - Moline
• Farmers Union Oil of the Southern Valley
• Darin Zaun American Family
• Rob SeeCo
• Burchill Construction
• Interstate Engineering
• HOWCO LLC
• ATB - Steve Arnhalt

1st Annual Titan/RWCF Golf Tournament Results

1st Place Team - 2022

The winning team for this year's tournament was Jim Cook, Kevin Dvorak, Casey Materi, and Craig Caspers.

2nd Place Team - 2022

The second place team was Scott Anderson, Denise Colburn, MJ Krause, and B Krause

3rd Place Team - 2022

The Third Place winners were Jason Butts, Neil Crocker, Lianne Mauch, and C Loehr.

2021 Fall Grants Awarded $42,000 - nearly $80,000 for the year!

The fall grant cycle was completed and $42,000 was awarded to area nonprofit organizations.  Our next grant cycle will be in the spring of 2022.  Visit our website at NDCF.net/RichlandWilkin for more details and a complete list of grant recipients.

We encourage all applicants to consider which fund best fits their requests by reading our website which has the guidelines.

The City of Breckenridge on behalf of the Teen Center, accepts a grant from the RWCF for their after school program. An outdoor PA will added to be able to communicate with kids outside.

Fall Grants Award - News Release

Richland Wilkin Community Foundation (RWCF) Awards $42,000 in grants back to the region

Wahpeton, North Dakota . . .. The advisory board of the RWCF recently voted to approve $42,000 in 14 different grants to nonprofit agencies in Richland and Wilkin Counties.

The annual fund awarded 8 grants totaling $30,000 and the endowment fund awarded 6 grants totaling $12,000.  Area agencies included in the spring grant round include:

-BIO Girls – to support the region’s group

-Breckenridge Youth Program – for scholarships for kids on the Economic Resilience Project

-PARTNERS – for their foot care clinic held twice a month

-Richland Wilkin Food Backpack Program – food for the kids packs

-SENDCAA – For emergency assistance in Richland County

-Three Rivers Crisis Center and Kids Konnection – Annual operational funds for their work with domestic violence in the region

-Valley Lake Boys Home – Training for staff

-Wilkin County 4H – After School programming

-Someplace Safe – Increased case load

-United Methodist Church – Annual Community Choir Cantata

-Children’s Discovery Center – Start up costs for the center

-City of Breckenridge – Teen Center After School program

-Leach Library – Friends of the Library digital preservation project

-Someplace Safe – Security packs for families

“Thanks to RWCF, Three Rivers Crisis Center can continue to provide no-cost counseling to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse,” commented Susan Rittenour, Three Rivers Crisis Center Executive Director.

The Richland Wilkin Community Foundation was organized in the fall of 1984 to provide funds for the community arts, services to disadvantaged, historic preservation, youth services, mental and physical health services, parks and community recreation, and educational services.

The purpose of the community foundation, which is administered through the North Dakota Community Foundation, is to award grants to initiate worthwhile community and youth projects for which no other funds are available.  The major objective is to assist in the development of self-help programs in the community.  

The average grant is usually between $1,000 and $2,500.  There may be special requests that require the board to exceed this amount but those are awarded on a limited basis.  The foundation’s goal is to reach as many groups as possible that are working towards making the Richland-Wilkin area a better place to live.  It has awarded over $250,000 since its inception.

In 2020, RWCF assumed work with the annual fund, previously held at the Richland Wilkin United Way, strengthening the organization and the partnership with nonprofit groups in the two-county area. The foundation now has the capability to fund through the annual giving fund or the permanent fund, depending on the nature of the grant request.

Individuals interested in supporting the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation’s work can donate to either their annual giving or their permanent fund at www.NDCF.net/RichlandWilkin.

For more information, contact chairperson, Jana Berndt at 218-641-2042 or any board member of the advisory group.

RWCF Power of 100

Where two or more are gathered, friendships are made. When people are working side by side for a common goal, relationships are built.  And when a community comes together to solve an issue, the world is transformed!

Power of 100 event at the City Brew Hall! A night of good food, friends, and philanthropy...what a success!

That’s the goal of the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation Power of 100.  Making new friendships, building relationships, and solving community issues to transform our region!

We kicked this Power of 100 off on January 26th.  That evening, guests had the opportunity to hear from three nonprofit organizations in the region that are making a huge difference in the lives of others.  They told us about their mission and recent work.  Those that have donated to the Power of 100 voted for one of the groups to receive this quarters donations.  

This is just the first of 4 events that are being planned this year for our group.  If 2020 and 2021 taught us anything, it is that people miss being with people.  The pandemic has left us empty and needing more human interaction.  This power of 100 is a wonderful way to get us back together, working as a community, building relationships, and growing our friendships!  If this date does not work for you, but you’d like to become more involved please reach out to me @ jana@ndcf.net.  I’d love to  connect and visit.

The most important work you will ever do is within the walls of your home or community.  This new venture is certainly supportive of this statement, and we hope you will check it all out at our website!

Spring Grant Round Awards $36,000 to the two counties!

The first grant round of 2021 was completed in early June.  10 local nonprofit organizations were awarded a total of $36,000.  5 of the grants were awarded from the annual fund for a total of $27,500 and another 5 grants from the endowment for $8,500. "Thanks to RWCF, Three Rivers Crisis Center can continue to provide no-cost counseling to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse," commented Susan Rittenour, Three River Crisis Center Executive Director.

Spring 2021 grant recipient, Three Rivers Crisis was awarded $12,000 by the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation Annual Fund. Funds will be used for day-to-day operations.

Spring Grant Awards Press Release

PRESSRELEASE

P.O. Box 905 Wahpeton ND 58075   701-640-2058                             

www.NDCF.net/RichlandWilkin

June 22, 2021                                                                          

Contact:  Jana Berndt, 701-640-2058

For immediate release                                                                                      

Jana@NDCF.net

Richland Wilkin Community Foundation (RWCF) Awards $36,000 in grants back to the region

Wahpeton, North Dakota . . .. The advisory board of the RWCF recently voted to approve $36,000 in  10 different grants to nonprofit agencies in Richland and Wilkin Counties.

The annual fund awarded 5 grants totaling $27,500 and the endowment fund awarded 5 grants totaling $8,500.  Area agencies included in the spring grant round include:

• Boys Scouts to provide comprehensive youth development,
• Red Door Art Gallery for updated security equipment and equipment lease payments,
• Richland-Wilkin Backpack Program for food,
• Richland-Wilkin Kinship for operations & activities,
• Three Rivers Crisis & Kids Konnection for day-to-day operations,
• Headwaters Music Festival for hiring educators at the music camp,
• SENDCAA for rental space,
• Someplace Safe for updating security equipment and
• Valley Lake Boys Home for a summer work program.

“Thanks to RWCF, Three Rivers Crisis Center can continue to provide no-cost counseling to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse,” commented Susan Rittenour, Three Rivers Crisis Center Executive Director.

The Richland Wilkin Community Foundation was organized in the fall of 1984 to provide funds for the community arts, services to the disadvantaged, historic preservation, youth services, mental and physical health services, parks and community recreation, and educational services.

The purpose of the community foundation, which is administered through the North Dakota Community Foundation, is to award grants to initiate worthwhile community and youth projects for which no other funds are available.  The major objective is to assist in the development of self-help programs in the community.  

The average grant is usually between $1,000 and $2,500.  There may be special requests that require the board to exceed this amount but those are awarded on a limited basis.  The foundation’s goal is to reach as many groups as possible that are working towards making the Richland-Wilkin area a better place to live.  It has awarded over $230,000 since its inception.

In 2020, RWCF assumed work with the annual fund, previously held at the Richland Wilkin United Way, strengthening the organization and the partnership with nonprofit groups in the two-county area. The foundation now has the capability to fund through the annual giving fund or the permanent fund, depending on the nature of the grant request.

Individuals interested in supporting the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation’s work can donate to either their annual giving or their permanent fund at www.NDCF.net/RichlandWilkin.

For more information, contact chairperson, Jana Berndt at 218-641-2042 or any board member of the advisory group.

Recent grant awards from the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation's Endowment Fund (which includes grants from the Elmer & Lucille Hoffert Fund), Annual Fund, and Power of 100 are listed below.

2024

• Power of 100 Grants Awarded
  • City of Abercrombie: $2,750
  • City of Breckenridge: $1,650 Twin Town Skatepark
  • Wahpeton/Breckenridge Headwaters Music Festival: $1,100
• Annual Grants Awarded
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry: $5,000
  • Richland Wilkin Kinship: $10,000 for programs and operations
  • SE North Dakota Community Action Agency: $5,000 emergency assistance for low-income residents of Richland County
• Endowment Grants Awarded
  • Breckenridge Wahpeton Chess: $500 Blue Goose Days Chess Tournament​​​​​​​
  • CAPLP-Lakes and Prairies Community Action: $1,100 Food & Transportation
  • City of Breckenridge-Family Community Center: $5,000 Teen Center, Free Year-Round Youth Service Program
  • Hankinson Park Board: $500 Campground and Ballfield signage and tables
  • Red Door Art Gallery & Museum:
    • ​​​​​​​$1,000 Ellen Diederich, Featured Artist (The Color Design Workshop)
    • $500 Christine Ellsworth, Facilitator (Poetry Therapy Workshop)
  • Valley Lake Boys Home: $1,500 Summer Work Program​​​​​​​

2023

• Power of 100 Grants Awarded
  • Chahinkapa Zoo Association: $600
  • City of Breckenridge-Family Community Center: $1,000 for Teen Program
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry: $1,500
  • Colfax Park Board: $3,000
  • Breckenridge Public Schools: $1,200 for Breckenridge Fun Club
  • Wilkin County Agricultural Society: $1,000
  • Jessy's Toy Box: $1,200
  • St. Mary's School: $3,000 Preschool
  • Wahpeton Parks and Recreation: $1,200 for Wahpeton Special Olympics
• Annual Grants Awarded
  • CAPLP - Lakes and Prairies Community Action: $2,000 for food vouchers
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry: $8,500 Backpack Program and Food Pantry
  • Richland Wilkin Kinship: $10,000 for programming and operations
  • Three Rivers Crisis Center: $24,000 Kids Konnection
  • Wahpeton/Breckenridge Headwaters Music Festival: $1,500  4th Annual
  • We Care Coalition: $3,500 Community Outreach costs
  • A Place for Friends: $750 craft/bingo supplies
  • Friends of the Leach Public Library: $1,000 Historical Newspaper Digitization
  • Red Door Art Gallery & Museum: $1,000 Historic Building Tile Step Repair
  • Richland County Historical Society: $1,000 Museum Security Project
  • SE North Dakota Community Action Agency: $149.91 emergency assistance for low-income residents of Richland County
• Endowment Grants Awarded
  • Chahinkapa Zoo Association: $1,500 Education Animal Housing/Exhibit
  • City of Breckenridge - Family Community Center: $4,000 Teen Center, free year-round Youth Service Program
  • Fairmount Park Board: $1,500 Park Playground Equipment
  • PARTNERS: $1,500 Foot Clinic
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry: $2,500 addition to current building
  • Someplace Safe: $1,600 Children's Activity and Play Area for the new facility
  • Valley Lake Boys Home: $1,699.91 Technology Update
  • Walcott Lutheran Church: $1,000 Walcott Veteran's Memorial
  • Wyndmere Community Center Corp: $1,500 flooring update
  • BIO Girls: $1,000 Richland & Wilkin counties, 2024 (three locations)
  • Breckenridge Public Schools: $1,500 Robotics Class I and II
  • Breckenridge United Methodist Church: $1,500 Community Choir & Orchestra Christmas Cantata
  • NDSCS Alumni Foundation: $500 for Speaker Series event
  • SE North Dakota Community Action Agency: $1,350.09 emergency assistance for low-income residents of Richland County
  • Wilkin County Historical Society: $1,000 for refinishing basement floor

2022 

• Power of 100 Grants Awarded
  • The Infinity Center:  $2,550 for the Children's Discovery Center
  • Valley Lake Boys Home:  $2,650 
  • City of Breckenridge:  $1,500 for the Bois de Sioux Adventure Area
  • Richland-Wilkin Kinship:  $1,000
  • Wahpeton/Breckenridge Headwaters Music Festival:  $650
• Annual Grants Awarded
  • Northern Lights Council of Boy Scouts of America - $2,500 for comprehensive youth development
  • Red Door Art Gallery - $2,000 for Art in the Afternoon
  • CAPLP - Lakes & Prairies Community Action - $2,500 for food vouchers for Wilkin County families
  • Richland Wilkin Kinship - $10,000 for operating and activity expenses
  • Three Rivers Crisis Center and Kids Konnection - $24,000 for day to day operations
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry - $2,000 for their backpack program
  • Wahpeton/Breckenridge Headwaters Music Festival - $1,500
  • City of Breckenridge - Family Community Center - $3,500 for their After-School Program
  • PARTNERS - $1,500 for a Foot Care Program Clinic
  • Friends of the Leach Public Library - $900 for the Teen Area Remodel
  • SENDCAA - $5,000 Emergency Assistance in Richland County
  • Someplace Safe - $3,000 for Emergency Financial Resources for Victims and Survivors of Crime
  • Valley Lake Boys Home - $2,000 for VLII:  Independent Living & Transition Home household goods, shower
  • Wahpeton Police Department - $1,500 for their K9 fund
• Endowment Grants Awarded
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry:  $5,000 for their building project
  • FirstLink:  $1,500 for safeTALK
  • BIO Girls:  $1,500 for their 2023 program (three locations) in Richland County
  • City of Breckenridge:  $1,500 for information boards & signage
  • United Methodist Church:  $1,500 for Community Choir & Orchestra Christmas Cantata
  • We Care Coalition:  $1,500 for start-up costs
  • Someplace Safe:  $1,428 for security equipment and door replacement
  • Wilkin County Historical  Society:  $800 for sump pump replacement/PVC Piping

2021

• Annual Grants Awarded
  • Northern Lights Council of Boy Scouts of America - $2,500 for comp. youth development
  • Red Door Art Gallery - $1,500 for operating expenses with equipment and lease payments
  • Richland Wilkin Backpack Program - $1,500 to buy food for the kid's packs
  • Richland Wilkin Kinship - $10,000 for operating and activity expenses
  • Three Rivers Crisis Center and Kids Konnection - $12,000 for day to day operations
  • BIO Girls - $2,500 Program Support for Wahpeton-Breckenridge, Abercrombie-Colfax & Windmere-Lidgerwood
  • Breckenridge Youth Program - $2,000 Economic Resiliency Project
  • PARTNERS - $1,500 Foot Care Program
  • Richland Wilkin Backpack Program - $3,500 For for Kids
  • SENDCAA - $5,000 Emergency Assistance in Richland County
  • Three Rivers Crisis Center - $12,000 Kids Konnection
  • University of MN Foundation for Wilkin County 4-H - $1,000 After School & Day Camps
  • Someplace Safe - $2,500 for Increased Client Load
• Endowment Grants Awarded
  • Headwaters Music Festival - $2,500 for educators for the kids camp
  • Red Door Art Gallery - $1,500 for upgrades to the security system
  • SENDCAA - $1,500 for rental of office space in Wahpeton
  • Someplace Safe - $1,500 for upgrades in security equipment
  • Valley Lake Boys Home - $1,500 for summer work program
  • City of Breckenridge - $1,500 Family Connection/Teen Center After School Program
  • Friends of the Leach Public Library - $1,500 Historical Newspaper Digitization Project
  • Someplace Safe - $1,500 Security Packs for Survivors of Crime & Abuse
  • United Methodist Church - $1,500 Community Choir & Orchestra Christmas Contata
  • Valley Lake Boys Home - $3,000 Ending Sexual Abuse/Exploitation of Children Along with Associated Trauma

2020

• Annual Grants Awarded (formerly the United Way):
  • Breckenridge Youth Program - $2,500 toward an economic resiliency project
  • FirstLink - $1,500 for Mental Health training
  • PARTNERS - $1,500 toward the Foot Care program for residents
  • Richland Wilkin Backpack Program - $2,000 toward food for the program
  • Richland Wilkin Backpack Program - $800 toward a computer for a Mobile Pantry
  • Richland Wilkin Kinship - $1,268.50 toward technology updates
  • Someplace Safe - $2,000 to support financial resources for victims
  • Southeastern North Dakota Community Action Agency - $7,500 for Emergency Assistance
  • Three Rivers Crisis Center - $24,000 for general support and programming
  • Valley Lake Boys Home - $1,500 to purchase new beds for residents
• Endowment Grants Awarded
  • Richland Wilkin Emergency Food Pantry - 1,000 to purchase a new computer for the food pantry
  • Hankinson Public School - $1,545 to purchase a chipper/shredder for the American Legion Veterans Memorial
  • Breckenridge United Methodist Church "Soul Shop" - $1,500 for Speaker fees for a Fall Event
  • CAPLP Lakes and Prairies Community Action - $1,446 for EBT (market match dollars) for Twin Town Gardener's Market
  • BIO Girls, INC - $3,120 to support programming for Beauty Inside and Out programming
  • City of Breckenridge - $4,243.97 toward construction of a Breckenridge Dog Park
  • Fairmount Park Board - $500 toward purchase of a new mower
  • Hankinson Park District - $1,500 toward a community skating rink
  • Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, INC - $2,000 for conversion to a virtual Marketplace for Kids event
  • North Dakota State College of Science Foundation - $467.75 for Bremer Bank Theater accessibility initiative
  • Red Door Art Gallery & Museum - $1,500 to support an online art auction

2019 Grants Awarded

• CAPLP Lakes and Prairies Community Action - $1,437 to put an EBT at the Twin Towns Gardener's Market
• Mooreton Park Board - $1,000 for an ice skating/hockey rink
• Southeastern North Dakota  Community Action Agency - $1,500 for individual emergency assistance
• Wyndmere School - $1,500 for Battle of the Books program
• Hankinson Park District - $1,500 toward the purchase of playground equipment for North Park
• City of Breckenridge - $2,500 to purchase Pickleball Fencing
• Red Door Art Gallery & Museum - $1,500 to increase and update indoor and outdoor lighting 
• Red Door Art Gallery & Museum - $1,500 to support the Student Art Show

Rebekah Christensen, Richland Wilkin Kinship Executive Director, has been a good friend and partner to the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation and has received funding multiple times throughout their history. This year's Amazing Race was a celebration of being back in person....together for a great cause!

Apply for a Grant from the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation

Guidelines for Endowment Fund (Richland Wilkin Community Fund)

• Grants shall not be made to individuals. Organizations authorized under IRS code 501(c)3 and those with official ties to government entities will be accepted.
• Grants shall be awarded to organizations within Richland County in ND and Wilkin County in MN.
• Grants from the permanent fund generally do not exceed $1,500.00 annually.

• The Richland/Wilkin Community Foundation permanent fund will not fund those applications requesting funding for day-to-day operations.
• Grants must have a significant impact on the financial success of the project. To this end, requests should not be a minor percentage of a much larger budget.
• Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community.
• Lower priority will be given to projects supported by government, or which in the board’s opinion should be funded by tax collections.

Guidelines for Annual Campaign (former United Way)

• Grants shall not be made to individuals. Organizations authorized under IRS code 501(c)3 and those with official ties to government entities will be accepted.
• Grants shall be awarded to organizations within Richland County in ND and Wilkin County in MN.
• Grants from the annual fund are limited to the amount available to that particular grant round.

• The Richland/Wilkin Community Foundation annual will consider funding those applications requesting funds for day-to-day operations.
• Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community.
• Lower priority will be given to projects supported by government, or which in the board’s opinion should be funded by tax collections.

In funding decisions, the board will consider the following:
• Specific merits of each project
• Organizational management and integrity
• Level of local involvement and support
• The number of residents to be served and overall impact on the community
• The impact of the grant on the success of the project
• The extent to which the project reflects a creative or innovative approach to a problem

Deadline: Applications are accepted at designated times of the year, typically spring and late fall. 

How to Apply

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.

The North Dakota Community Foundation also administers the following funds in the Breckenridge/Wahpeton area:

Burton Louis Gewalt Meritorious Scholarship:  The Burton Louis Gewalt Meritorious Fund was established with a gift from the estate of Burton Gewalt who passed away in 2009.  The Burton Louis Gewalt Meritorious Fund will provide scholarship assistance to deserving students who have graduated from Breckenridge, MN High School.

Dr. Roger E. Meisner Veterinary Medicine Educational Fund:  Established in 1996 by Dr. Roger E. Meisner who practiced Veterinary Medicine in the Wahpeton area and who also worked for the Federal Government for a number of years. Applicants must be graduates from a North Dakota high school and have been accepted or actively enrolled in a Professional School of any accredited College of Veterinary medicine in North America.

Elmer & Lucille Hoffert Fund:  Established in 2004 to support charitable projects in the Breckenridge/Wahpeton area.

Elmer & Lucille Hoffert Medical Research Fund:  Established in 2004 to support cancer and heart disease research.

Evan's Support:  Established in 2015 in honor of Evan Vincent Schumacher to provide support and assistance to families in a medical crisis. This support can include, but is not limited to:
1.) Providing functional, comfortable, and supportive furniture to medical facilities for families that need to stay on hospital grounds, and
2.) Assisting in writing and publishing child obituaries (18 years and younger)
To visit the Evan's Support page please click here

Leach Library Fund:  Established in 1992 to support the Leach Library

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 Richland Wilkin Community Foundation (RWCF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to the RWCF 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 RWCF. Doing so provides for your heirs while honoring your charitable values.

Getting Started

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

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 Richland Wilkin Community Foundation committee member to learn more about the charities and needs in our area or contact Scott Nicholson at Scott@NDCF.net.

3.  Consider discussing (confidentially) your vision with one of our NDCF gift planners:  Scott Nicholson (701-892-2007 or Scott@NDCF.net) or Amy Stromsodt (701-741-3193 or 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 Richland Wilkin Community Foundation 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 Richland Wilkin Community Foundation, 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.