A monthly newsletter for Community Foundation friends, donors, and fund holders.

We’re honored to work with you and so many other individuals, families, and businesses who’ve made charitable giving a priority and share our commitment to improving the quality of life for everyone in our region.

Here’s a summary of this issue: 

• Meloney Linder speaks about the rewards and responsibilities associated with serving on the Community Foundation Board of Directors.
• 13 organization received arts funding totaling over $128,000. Over the next 12 months, it is projected that these grantees will offer opportunities to over 11,600 professional artists and aspiring creatives and will welcome nearly 52,700 visitors and audience members to their facilities and venues.
• Perhaps you’ve always been intrigued by the possibility of establishing an endowment to create a permanent source of philanthropic support for the community you love, but you thought the process might be difficult or daunting. When you work with the Community Foundation, it’s easy–and enjoyable–to structure your endowment as your gift to improve the quality of life for future generations. 
• Working with the Community Foundation isn’t just for individuals and families. We also help facilitate corporate philanthropy for businesses of all sizes. 

If you’ve already established a fund at the community foundation, thank you for the opportunity to be of service! If you’re considering whether to begin working with us, thank you for including the community foundation as you explore your options. We look forward to learning more about how we can help achieve your charitable objectives in ways that align with your financial and estate planning objectives.

Wishing you a beautiful spring!

Becca Baumbach
​Executive Director

Learn about a volunteer member of the Community Foundation's Board of Directors.

​The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region has named 13 recipients of the 2024 Iseminger Endowment for the Arts Program. This program offers financial support for regional organizations who will provide exposure and access to artistic and cultural experiences which generate growth and creativity for all ages.
This year’s grant program consisted of funding from two separate pools:

• $47,000.00 in funding from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support Grand Forks-based arts and culture nonprofit organizations.
• $81,806.38 in funding from the Iseminger Endowment for the Arts to support arts and culture projects by nonprofit organizations with principal operations in Grand Forks, Walsh, or Polk Counties.

Combined funding totaling $128,806.38 was distributed among 13 organizations including:

• ArtWise: Funding will support 2024-2025 activities, including art projects in conjunction with the St. Joseph Summer Lunch Program, mini art festivals for children held during school breaks, and camps directed by gallery artists.
• East Grand Forks Public Schools: Funding will provide new percussion instruments in the East Grand Forks middle and high school band programs that are played by all percussionists in the program.
• Empire Arts Center: Funding will support the Empire’s “Build a Band” program, assisting in the development of the musicians of tomorrow by assembling musical groups, teaching students music and performance tips, and allowing students to work with professional music equipment.
• Grand Cities Children's Choir: Funding will support the "One Voice" Project, which includes music education and two major "free to the public" performances featuring the singers of the Grand Cities Children's Choir.
• Grand Forks Children's Museum: Funding will support Tom Brosseau & Friends, a concert held at the Empire Arts Center, featuring Tom Brosseau as host and musical talent as well as other musical guests.
• Grand Forks Chorales: Funding will support the development and production of “Brahms Requiem,” a collaborative music experience and one of the largest music events produced by local artists in our region.
• Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra: Funding will support GGFSO’s May 5, 2024 concert, Generations of Inspiration, which includes Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C Major (“Jupiter”), a performance with Serbian guest cellist Viktor Uzur of Variations on a Rococo Theme by Tchaikovsky, and the Spanish Caprice by Rimsky-Korsakov.
• Muddy Waters Clay Center: Funding will provide materials and equipment, allowing for the expansion of the clay experience across the regional community through MWCC classroom, workshop, and demonstration opportunities.
• North Dakota Museum of Art: Funding will support a series of performance and outreach events with an internationally recognized brass quintet. Events will include a public concert, a master class, and school and classroom visits reaching hundreds of local students and musicians.
• Northern Valley Youth Orchestras: Funding will support NVYO’s Season 14 performances and rehearsals set in various spaces across the Grand Forks region from May 2024 to March 2025.
• Public Arts Commission: Funding will support ArtFest to be held on June 8-9, 2024 in University Park.
• University Park Neighborhoods: Funding will support the pilot of a summer program for youth (ages 10-14) in the north end neighborhoods of Grand Forks to engage in artistic education sessions held in public parks.

Stay up-to-date on benefits, opportunities, and changes that may impact your charitable giving.

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.
• The Neel Family Fund provide support of music education for children 18 years of age and younger in Grand Forks County. Applications are due April 30 at noon.

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.