T he mission of the Fargo- Moorhead Area Foundation is

to enrich the quality of life of the people of this area by:

• Encouraging philanthropy• Assessing and responding

to community needs• Providing flexibility for

donors with varied interests and giving capacities

• Serving as a resource and a catalyst for other organizations

2013-2014 Board of Directors• Joan Justesen, Chair• Corey Elmer, Immediate Past President• Carol Schlossman, Vice-Chair• Dorwin Marquardt, Treasurer• Laine Brantner, Secretary• Tom Dawson• Bruce Furness• Thomas Jefferson• Dr. Joel Jorgenson• Morrie Lanning• Matthew Mohr• Tom Schaffer• Neil Jordheim, Trustee Representative

Foundation StaffTim Beaton, JD Executive DirectorPatty Mastel, CPA Finance DirectorSheila Harris DevelopmentOfficerCher Hersrud ProgramOfficerLexi Oestreich Administrative Assistant

Confirmed in Compliancewith National Standards forU.S. Community Foundations

A Voice on a Local Level

Confirmed in Compliancewith National Standards forU.S. Community Foundations

Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation March 2014

Tim BeatonExecutive Director

The first decade of the last century saw a number of revolutions. None had a more lasting positive impact on humanity then the one began on January 2, 1914 by Frederick H. Goff. On that date Goff started the Cleveland Foundation, the first community foundation in the world.

Goff, who ironically was a good friend of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., developed the concept in response to the formation at that time of large private foundations like the ones Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie created from pools of their industrial wealth. The theory, and a good one, was that community foundations would do at a local level what private foundations were doing nationally, but to do so in an open and transparent way with the public

given a voice in how the grants were disbursed.

Today there are over 750 community foundations in the United States and 1,750 worldwide. In 2012, community foundations nationally held an estimated $58 billion in assets and delivered grants back to their communities of over $4.5 billion.

The FM Area Foundation, started in 1960, is proud to be a part of this continuously growing grass roots philanthropy. We concluded the year 2013 with over $65 million in assets and distributed over $1,500,000 in grants. In our 53 year history, through the generosity of our donors, we have given back to this community over $36 million.

We thank our donors, both past and present, for their commitment to Frederick Goff’s amazing vision. Together we make the FM Area a better place to live and grow.

A new endowed fund has been established by local lacrosse enthusiasts to support the NDSU Men’s Lacrosse Club. The hope is that the NDSU Men’s Lacrosse Club will one day become a varsity sport on campus. The fund will support expenses such travel, field rental and equipment. Lacrosse enthusiasts are welcome to donate to this fund for the long-term support of men’s lacrosse at NDSU. Contact FM Area Foundation for more information or to make a donation.

Did you know that 17 new funds were established in 2013 at the FM Area Foundation? Four on December 31, the last day of the year!

The KAT Fund, is a new donor advised fund established by Tracy Green. Its unique name has multiple meanings. K. A. T. are the first initials of the first names of Tracy and her two daughters Alicia and Kelsey. KAT is also the name of their family corporation of which both Kelsey and Alicia are officers. Finally, KAT makes perfect sense since all three women love animals, especially cats, and they strongly believe

in supporting the Humane Society of Fargo Moorhead.

Tracy, a local realtor, also appreciates the value that homeownership brings to a family. The KAT Fund will support Habitat for Humanity, as well. She and her daughters have participated on building projects, and Tracy has also served on the boards of both Habitat for Humanity and the Humane Society.

Getting her daughters involved in meaningful ways with local charities started at a very young age. “Since they were little girls, I have involved them in charitable events. I have no doubt that they will continue to advise the KAT Fund to carry out our charitable intents. It’s a great family legacy!” says Tracy.

The North Dakota 40% Income Tax Credit was not lost on Tracy. Having served as the first female chairperson of the FM Area Foundation, Tracy felt comfortable with the tax advice and investment policies of the Foundation. Tracy commented, “The tax credit allowed me to maximize my dollars going into the Fund, it’s a great benefit I hope more people will take advantage of in North Dakota.”

The Otto Bremer Foundationhas awarded a $100,000 grant to the FM Area Foundation. Moving Our Community Forward Powerfully and Inclusively is a metro wide project that will address the growth and change in our community through active citizen engagement, research and partnerships.

The project has two components:

A study that brings together all pertinent data and information, including workforce projections and current educational and training resources. Additionally, the Foundation will compile information about “pockets of people” within the community who are either underemployed or unemployed. The study will provide information for the Foundation and its partners to assist in better addressing gaps, make better connections and partnerships, and encourage and financially support new efforts to allow all of our residents to obtain jobs that can support them and their family’s lives in a more equitable manner.

The second, larger, and related project utilizes some of the strengths and processes of the 2000 Project Tomorrow, along with an approach developed by the Knight Foundation for its Soul of the Community initiative. As our population grows and a generational turnover is underway, we believe it is time to apply the best of both initiatives to seek broad input from our residents.

This process, with the increased ability to communicate and access information through technology, will allow us to undertake a more comprehensive study of what makes our community a place where people want to put down roots, a place where all people can live and work within their capabilities, and a place that is moving forward in a thoughtful, equitable manner.

Friends of Men’s Bison Lacrosse

Three companies participated in our pilot of the FMABIZGIVES Community Giving Card program this holiday season; Warner and Company and Roers of Fargo, and Kramer and Co. from Bismarck. These companies chose to replace traditional holiday gifts such as candy, popcorn and desk pen sets with community giving cards. Much like a retail gift card, community giving cards are purchased at the Foundation and given as gifts. Redeeming the card online, the recipient may select their favorite charity, and the Foundation forwards the cash to the charity. To date, 78 different charities have received gifts from this program, and people are still redeeming their cards. Here’s what some of the recipients said: “…this is the best Christmas gift I’ve gotten all season, no guilt all love!”

“Great idea! We certainly didn’t need another box of chocolates in our break room!”

“We received a gift card from Roers and thought it was such a great idea we went straight to the Foundation to purchase giving cards for our own holiday gifts! It’s a great idea!” From the Charities: “Thank you so much for making this program possible! We will tell everyone about it!” “What a great way for Warner and Co. to show how much they care about the community!”

Retiring Board MemberDr. Kate Haugen is retiring from the Foundation Board of Directors. Kate has been a member of the Board since 2009 having served as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and Chair of the HR Committee. Kate has recently retired from her role at NDSU as Vice President of Student Affairs. She and her husband Carlton Hunke are enjoying retirement having relocated to Minneapolis, MN. We thank Kate for her many years of service, advice and counsel.

New HireLexi Oestreich provides administrative support for the Executive Director as well as the Board of Directors and Foundation staff and committees. She also provides the database and records management. Lexi has previously worked in office support and administrative assistant roles at Essentia Health & Health Quote Services. Lexi graduated from Minnesota State University, Moorhead with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health.

The Marketplace is a location where the community can truly connect. Nonprofits can lists needs, whether in-kind, time or expertise. Individuals, families or groups interested in supporting an organization beyond a financial contribution can indicate their interest in providing service or expertise through Marketplace.

Located on the Foundation’s community platform Connecting the Dots, Marketplace is free, user friendly, and requires only a simple sign-up to be a user.

Program Officer Cher Hersrud is excited about this new community connection resource. “I am increasingly hearing from younger people who seek to make a difference in the community. Many want to learn more about the nonprofit sector and where they can have an impact. This is not a traditional volunteer location (First Link provides that service), or a fundraising site (provided through Impact Foundation). Marketplace is a location where we can connect and engage all residents in community effort in new ways. There are some wonderful examples already on the Marketplace of small groups who take on a short term project such as a fundraising event, or individuals who serve on a short term committee; bringing new ideas and support while they learn more about an organization.”

To utilize the site, go to www.connectingthedots.cc . Click on the Marketplace tab to review. To utilize the site, a simple user process is required. There is no charge or fee associated with the site.

Connecting the Dots is a community platform developed by the Urban Institute and available through the FM Area Foundation with support from the cities of West Fargo, Fargo, and Moorhead, and Sanford Health.

FMABIZGIVES What They’re Saying

Across our country and within our own community there continues to be significant disparity in the percentage of women versus men holding leadership roles. To activate our community and to close the gender gap in women leaders in Cass and Clay Counties, the FM Area Foundation, through the work of its Women’s Fund, invited both private and public sector organizations and individuals to participate in the “Women and Leadership Forum, Conversations That Matter,” on Thursday, January 23.

A diverse group of 110 men and women participated in the Forum, to focus on better understanding the barriers to women attaining leadership in our community, and identifying potential solutions. A lively world café format facilitated by Patty Corwin and her daughter Katie Hasbargen, encouraged diversity in thoughts, ideas and experience.

The top take-aways from the Forum:

• Theneedtocreateawareness,continuetheconversationand broaden the communication

• Tocreateactionableinitiativesfororganizationsandindividuals

• Tomobilize

It is the intent of the Foundation and its Women’s Fund Committee to continue to build our community’s capacity by serving as a catalyst for action; by convening and raising community awareness; and by funding initiatives through its grantmaking.

This April, the Women’s Fund will accept grant applications for programming and initiatives to balance gender roles in public and private sector leadership. Grant award potential is approximately $40,000 and can be awarded to 501(c)3nonprofitsorprogramswithafiscalsponsor. We hope the Women and Leadership Forum will spark ideas, programs, or initiatives that are in keeping with the Women’s Fund 2014 focus.

That Matter

Women and LeadershipForum Held

. . . Continue the conversation

on our blog at www.fmawomensfund.org.

The FM Area Foundation, through the Women’s Fund, will fund programs, projects,oreffortsthat activate and grow leadership opportunities as well

as leadership qualities and potential in women and girls.

The Women’s Fund is particularly interested in funding programs that bring about self-discovery, empowerment and personal transformation; helping women and/or girls findtheirstrengthandvoicetoactivelypursueleadershipopportunities that impact businesses, nonprofits, faith based, community, neighborhood, civic, government, and our/their community.

The 2014 grant round will review applications from nonprofitorganizations,units of government or religious bodies for non-religious activities along the theme of Activating and Growing Women and Girls’ Leadership for Impact,orthosewhohaveattainedafiscalsponsorship.

New Grant Guidelines for the Women’s Fund

Grants may be awarded that provide funding for operations, enhancements to current operations, start-ups, or enhancements to existing programs for new leadership initiatives and grassroots organizations. The Women’s Fund has $40,000 to award in 2014 and may award grants from $500 to $40,000. Preference will be given to initiatives that showaninnovative,effective,anddirectapproachtoactivating leadership among women and/or girls; form partnerships with other community initiatives for deeper impact; demonstrate the long-term sustainability and viability of the initiative; show a clear need for the funds and a plan for their use; demonstrate a long-term commitment to this work; and are located in Cass County of ND or Clay County of MN. For those without tax-exempt status,afiscalsponsorshipwillbeaccepted.

Go to www.areafoundation.org for complete guidelines and application. All proposals must be received by 4:30 pm on Friday, April 18.

Proposals may be sent by e-mail to cher@areafoundation.org but are not considered received until the applicant has received an e-mail acknowledgement.

The Women’s Fund of the FM Area Foundation invites 2014 grant applications that activate and grow leadership for women and girls in Cass-Clay Counties.

My name is Austyn Raftvold.

“I am majoring in Healthcare Administration. Thank you for your contribution to allow me to enjoy such a wonderful place as Concordia. Without this scholarship, it would be much more difficult to attend this great place. It is a very exciting time and I am extremely glad for your generosity.”

My name is Autumn Buchl.

“Thank you so much for the scholarship! It is very much appreciated and allows me to attend Concordia and follow my dream of be-ing a nurse.

“Budgeting is tight for my family as I live with my mom, who has been a single mom my whole life. She also just went back to school so our budget is extra tight. Without the help of your scholarship, I would not be where I am today. In the future I hope to provide scholarships for students like me so they can follow their dreams too.”

Scholarships Make a Big Difference

The FM Area Foundation awards over 200 scholarships every year to area students attending universities and technical colleges. Two such scholarship

funds are the Arthur W. and Clara Cupler Scholarship and the FM Area Foundation Retail Credit Association Scholarship. Austyn Raftvold and Autumn Buchl attending Concordia are two recipients.

These scholarships and hundreds like them, will continue to support deserving students forever. For more information about scholarship application, or to establish a scholarship fund of your own, go to www.areafoundation.org.

502 FIRST AVENUE NORTH, SUITE 202FARGO, ND 58102-4873

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TELEPHONE (701) 234-0756FAX (701) 234-9724www.areafoundation.org

Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation

Fargo-Moorhead Area FoundationFor good . . . Forever

Serving the Community Since 1960

New Funds Get Started

Women and Leadership Forum Held