A monthly newsletter for Community Foundation friends, donors, and fund holders. | |
|
|
Spring greetings from the Community Foundation!
We are so grateful for the opportunity to work together!
Many of you have established funds at the Community Foundation to support the causes you love. Others are serving on boards of local nonprofits. Some of you are involved in discussions with your family and your advisors about establishing a fund at the Community Foundation to fulfill your philanthropic goals.
Wherever you are in your charitable giving process, we are here to support you, including through articles and resources that can help you shape your philanthropy plan. In this issue, you can find more info on the following:
-
Mike Juntunen reflects on how he got involved with the Community Foundation and how it has impacted his professional work.
-
ArtWise shares how their organization is meeting their mission through new and existing programming for children, families, and adults across the region.
- Join the Women's Fund at their 2nd annual Summer Solstice Celebration on June 20.
Donor-advised funds are one of many fund types you can establish at the community foundation to organize your giving. Review a few reminders about what your donor-advised fund can and can’t do.
A scholarship fund isn't the only way to achieve your charitable goals for funding education. Learn about how the Community Foundation can help you pursue areas of interest that support education in creative ways. You may be pleasantly surprised to discover the variety of options.
We look forward to continuing to serve you. If we’re not yet working together, we hope you’ll reach out with questions about these topics or anything else that captures your attention and imagination in the world of philanthropy.
With gratitude,
| |
Becca Baumbach
Executive Director
| |
|
|
WHY I SERVE: MIKE JUNTUNEN | |
Learn about a volunteer member of the Community Foundation's Board of Directors. | |
|
|
 Mike Juntunen |
I have John Marchell to "Thank" for introducing me to the Community Foundation. During my accounting and legal career I have always been on the fringe of the service and value of organizations such as the Community Foundation. While bumping into the various foundations in the State of North Dakota, I was not in the market to see and have clients that discussed and questioned if a foundation would work for their plans.
As my work experience moved more towards estate planning, It was John Marchell who, I discovered, was involved as a volunteer for the Community Foundation. I was familiar with John from my years in the bankruptcy and tax areas of practice. As time went on I bumped into other professionals who volunteered with the Community Foundation.
My clients who no longer needed financial assistance instead were looking information of long term estate tax planning, especially long term management of assets for civic and family benefit.
I was ready to volunteer and contribute to the operation of a non-profit. John had the answer and here I am - amazed at the dedication and service of the staff and other professional "volunteers" to give those patrons seeking a place where interested citizens can have a safe, well administered local foundation to guide and fit their gifting and family needs. That is why I have served.
Thanks to all those volunteers and staff who come and go. They all made and still make the Community Foundation work. I am proud to be part of that history.
| |
|
|
MAKING AN IMPACT: ARTWISE | |
Highlights from a recent grantee of the Community Foundation. | |
|
|
Since 1993, ArtWise has been providing a variety of creative opportunities for children and families across our community. In addition to a gallery, gift shop, and office space located in Columbia Mall, ArtWise has a broad range of programming:
- Hosts an annual Student Art Show that exhibits K-12 student artwork and displays children’s artwork at businesses across the region through the ABC (Art By Children) Lease program.
- Provides art camps and lessons taught by gallery artists or local partners such as Muddy Waters Clay Center and Red River Watercolor Society.
- Offers Take’n’Make art packs which combine the talents of the North Dakota Museum of Art, the Grand Forks Public Library, and ArtWise. In 2023, 4,800 art packs were distributed free of charge to area children.
- The ArtWise Gallery concentrates on artists that live or work in the Greater Grand Forks area. There are 7-8 exhibitions a year, including the Holiday Showcase and the Student Art Show.
ArtWise has two new programs this year. One was the Spring Break festival, partnering with the Grand Forks Children’s Museums and Brainy Inc., an early childhood organization. In 2024, they took part in the Mural Mosaic program, becoming a mural site and having a mural tile painting session during the Student Art Show.
ArtWise continues to fulfill its mission to enhance the Greater Grand Forks community through educational visual arts programs and exhibition space. Currently, the ArtWise Board of Directors is undertaking a visioning and planning process to further strengthen the organization and enhance its programming.
| |
|
|
Stay up-to-date on benefits, opportunities, and changes that may impact your charitable giving. | |
|
|
 | | The Community Foundation can help you make a difference in the lives of young people by funding education. Here are 3 ideas to consider as you explore ways to make an impact through education. |
|  | | It’s a good idea to periodically review a few types of disbursements that don’t meet the IRS’s rules and therefore are not permissible donations from your donor-advised fund. |
|  | | The Community Foundation is happy to help you keep your attorney, accountant, and financial advisor in the loop. We can join you and your advisors at a meeting to discuss your charitable plans. We’re also happy to offer suggestions about which documents and information you’ll want to provide to your advisors. | |
|
|
GRANT PROGRAMS
- The Brockman Feldman Family Fund seeks to increase the reach and accessibility of academic extracurricular activities in Grand Forks, Walsh, and Polk Counties. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
| |
|
|
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION HOURS
Our office is open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm. Meetings are by appointment. We keep remote hours on Fridays from 10am to 4pm and are available by phone and email.
This newsletter as well as any referenced materials are provided for informational purposes only. They are not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.
| |
|
|
| |
|
