NDCF News & Reports
NDCF Recognizes Impact of Local Community Foundations During National Community Foundation Week, November 12–18, 2024
November 6, 2024 ─ The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) is celebrating the work of its local community foundations during National Community Foundation Week, November 12-18. Community Foundation Week, created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush, recognizes the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.
“Our local community foundations understand area needs and are in the best position to address the issues their community faces,” said Kevin Dvorak, President and CEO of NDCF. “They are a valuable tool in funding projects and programs and provide a way for residents to give back to their area, with built-in flexibility to meet the changing needs of the community.”
NDCF Recognizes Importance of Estate Plans During National Estate Planning Awareness Week Oct. 21-27, 2024
The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) recognizes the importance of estate plans as it celebrates National Estate Planning Awareness Week October 21-27, 2024. National Estate Planning Awareness Week was adopted in 2008 to help the public understand what estate planning is and why it is such a vital part of financial wellness. Occurring the third full week in October each calendar year, it offers the perfect opportunity to reach Americans on a regular basis with a reminder of the need for estate planning and how best to find a team of professionals to assist.
“Planning your estate helps avoid unnecessary taxes and fees, eases the burden for family members, and allows you to leave a legacy to the organizations and charities that touch your heart,” said Kevin Dvorak, President and CEO of NDCF. “I’ve seen some well-thought-out estate plans and some problematic ones. It’s a good reminder to think about your plan.”
Download full news release here.
NDCF AWARDS $223,223 IN GRANTS
October 4, 2024 . . . The North Dakota Community Foundation has awarded $223,223 in grants from its Statewide Greatest Needs (Unrestricted) Fund to 51 organizations across the state working to improve the quality of life for state residents.
“We are pleased to support these projects and programs all across our state,” said Kevin J. Dvorak, President & CEO of NDCF. “And we extend our thanks to those who have donated to our Statewide Greatest Needs Fund over the years to make these grants possible.”
The NDCF Board of Directors reviewed and discussed 124 grant applications at their meeting in September to make the determination of awards. Grant awards are listed in the attached news release.
Download the full listing of grantees here.
NDCF Awards $770,000 in Scholarships
September 13, 2024 . . . The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) will award more than $770,000 in over 400 scholarships to North Dakota students in 2024. The organization currently manages over 200 scholarship funds supported by North Dakotans, former residents and those interested in helping North Dakota students succeed.
“These scholarships are all possible because of generous North Dakotans who believe in the value of education,” said Kevin Dvorak, President and CEO of NDCF. “We are grateful to them and we wish these students the best as they continue their studies.”
The following list is organized alphabetically by hometown and provides the name of each scholarship recipient, their hometown, the school they will be attending (if known), and the scholarship fund or funds at NDCF from which the money was granted. In most cases, a local advisory committee recommends the grant recipient.
Congratulations to the NDCF Class of 2024! Download complete listing here.
North Dakota Community Foundation Announces Otto Bremer Trust Community Responsive Fund Grants
NDCF distributes $1,500,000 in grants to local nonprofits as OBT’s intermediary partner in North Dakota.
August 19, 2024, Bismarck, ND — The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) is pleased to announce that 46 organizations have received grants from its Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) Community Responsive Fund. NDCF was selected as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds from OBT’s Community Responsive Fund to organizations in North Dakota.
As a trusted philanthropic intermediary partner to OBT, NDCF serves as a local resource to provide guidance on regional challenges and opportunities, and community dynamics, ensuring that OBT is making a strong, positive impact in the regions it serves by distributing grants of up to $75,000 to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the state.
“We are pleased to partner with the Otto Bremer Trust to distribute grants to those organizations that are addressing some of the critical needs of our residents,” said Kevin Dvorak, President and CEO of NDCF. “From our large cities to our rural communities, there are many nonprofit organizations that are finding solutions and addressing the issues that some of our most vulnerable citizens face.”
“We are simply THRILLED to be a recipient of $50K for our rural food program!’ said Karen Mathison, VP of Financial Development for the YMCA of the Northern Sky. “When school is out, the meals that some children received are now gone. Summer can be long when you are hungry. We will be in the communities of . . . download news release and complete listing of grantees here.
NDCF Elects New Directors and Officers
Bismarck, ND—The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) is pleased to announce the election of Zachary Boettner of Grand Forks and Leslie Bieber of Alexander to three-year terms on the NDCF Board.
Boettner is an attorney and President/Shareholder of the Olson, Juntunen, Boettner & Cobb law firm in Grand Forks. He has both a legal and accounting background as well as a statewide connection to the banking, agriculture, and commercial business industries. He has been a member of the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives - Executive Education Committee since 2020.
Bieber is the Superintendent of the Alexander Public School District and has been an educator in North Dakota for 26 years. As an interactive television instructor, she taught Spanish across the state at both the high school and collegiate level in over 30 schools. She has served on numerous boards including the Western Dakota Energy Association, Northwest School Leaders, the Western Regional Education Cooperative, and the ND Association of School Administrators.
Re-elected to serve a second three-year term on the board were CJ Hager of Jamestown, Wanda Uran-Nelson of Watford City, and Ken Hall of Bismarck. Download full news release here.
NDCF Statewide Greatest Needs Grant Applications Due July 31
June 28, 2024 - The North Dakota Community Foundation is now accepting applications for grants from its Statewide Greatest Needs Fund. Eligible organizations in the state include those designated by the IRS as 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt groups, government agencies, such as a park district or school district, or an organization that has one of the above acting as its fiscal sponsor.
Applications are submitted online at www.NDCF.net/receive/SWGN. The NDCF Board of Directors will review the applications and make final decisions at their fall meeting. Grants are generally $5,000 or less and delivered in late October.
Established in 1976, the North Dakota Community Foundation manages over $138 million in assets for the betterment of North Dakota communities and citizens. It has awarded a total of over $105 million in grants since its inception. More information is available at www.NDCF.net or by calling 701-222-8349.
Stromsodt, Geiger, and Heinen Recertified as CFREs
May 22, 2024 — The North Dakota Community Foundation is pleased to announce that Development Directors Amy Stromsodt, Kara Geiger, and John Heinen have all been recertified by CFRE International as Certified Fund Raising Executives
Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, and demonstrated fundraising achievement. They have also passed a rigorous exam testing the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a fundraising executive, and have agreed to uphold Accountability Standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.
Download the full news release here.
NDCF Surpasses $138 Million in 2023
May 7, 2024 . . . The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) has announced that it surpassed $138 million in net assets in 2023. The organization was founded in 1976 to improve the quality of life of North Dakotans through charitable giving and promoting philanthropy.
NDCF currently manages more than 900 charitable funds, including 69 local community foundations in the state and over 150 scholarship funds for North Dakota students. It also administers organizational endowment funds, donor-advised funds, school foundations, and special interest funds for individuals and nonprofit organizations across North Dakota. It has awarded more than $105 million in grants since its inception. The organization has offices in Bismarck, Larimore, Dickinson, and Wahpeton, North Dakota.
Download the full news release here.
Download the 2023 Annual Report here.
Otto Bremer Trust Selects the North Dakota Community Foundation as Philanthropic Intermediary Partner for New Community Responsive Fund
The Otto Bremer Trust is a private charitable trust based in St. Paul, Minn. Created in 1944 by business and community leader Otto Bremer, it is committed to supporting an enhanced quality of life for residents of Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
North Dakota Community Foundation will administer and distribute $1,500,000 in grants of up to $75,000 to local nonprofits; applications now open.
February 23, 2024, Bismarck, ND — The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) has been selected by the Otto Bremer Trust (OBT) as a philanthropic intermediary partner to administer and distribute funds through its new Community Responsive Fund. Under the new partnership, NDCF will work closely with OBT to administer $1.5 million in funds for grants up to $75,000 to support local organizations that directly respond to immediate challenges and opportunities in the state.
NDCF will serve as a local expert to ensure that the Otto Bremer Trust is increasing the positive impact in the regions it serves by providing guidance on and administering grants from OBT directly to the organizations within North Dakota that are providing effective services and programs.
Download the full news release here . . .
Scott Nicholson
NDCF Welcomes Nicholson and Wadsworth
January 11, 2024— Scott Nicholson and Nicole Wadsworth have joined the staff of the North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF).
Nicholson is the organization’s new Development Director for Southeastern North Dakota and will be establishing an office in Wahpeton. A graduate of North Dakota State University with a degree in Business Administration, Nicholson was previously the Community Banker Team Lead at Bremer Bank in Breckenridge. He has served on the Richland-Wilkin Community Foundation’s Advisory Committee for two years.
Nicholson will be replacing Jana Berndt as the Development Director for the Richland Wilkin Community Foundation (RWCF). Berndt has served in that role on a part-time basis since November of 2020.
Nicole Wadsworth
Nicole Wadsworth is the new Executive Assistant for NDCF’s office in Dickinson, North Dakota. She has an associate’s degree from Dickinson State University and is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Wadsworth has previously worked as an Office Manager for companies in North Dakota and California. She will assist with organization, reporting, and other administrative tasks of NDCF’s Dickinson office, which supports communities, donors, and funds in western North Dakota.
NDCF Announces More Than $383,000 in Grant Awards from Second Round of Grid United's Community Investment Program
Bismarck, ND., December 12, 2023 – The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) is pleased to announce it has awarded $383,689 in grants from the Grid United Community Investment Program (CIP) to nonprofit organizations in southwestern North Dakota in its second grant round.
The CIP will support the six North Dakota counties in which Grid United’s North Plains Connector – a transmission line connecting the U.S. eastern and western electric grids in Montana and North Dakota – will be located. These counties are Golden Valley, Slope, Hettinger, Grant, Morton, and Oliver.
NDCF utilized the local community foundations under its umbrella in this part of the state to distribute the CIP grant dollars. Each community foundation has an advisory committee of five to nine residents who know and understand the needs in their area. Committees reviewed grant applications and recommended awards to those projects and programs that would have the greatest impact.
The grant awards for the second grant round by community . . . download the full news release here
NDCF Celebrates Impact of Local Community Foundations
November 8, 2023 ─ The North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF) is celebrating the work of its local community foundations during National Community Foundation Week, November 12-18. Community Foundation Week, created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush, recognizes the work of community foundations throughout America and their collaborative approach to working with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to address community problems.
“Our local community foundations understand area needs and are in the best position to address the issues their community faces,” said Kevin Dvorak, President and CEO of NDCF. “They are a valuable tool in funding projects and programs and provide a way for residents to give back to their area, with built-in flexibility to meet the changing needs of the community.”
NDCF currently administers community endowment funds for 69 local community foundations in North Dakota, as well as a variety of other types of charitable funds including scholarships, donor-advised funds, and organizational endowment funds, which support specific charities in the state.
