Community Foundation | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region
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GIVE

ABOUT US

Founded in 1998, the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. 
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Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, and trusted advisers, the Community Foundation manages charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations and causes. The Foundation has granted $14.1 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across Grand Forks, Walsh, and Polk Counties.

Mission

To connect people who care with causes that matter.
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Guiding Principles

The Community Foundation is:
  • a long term partner dedicated to donor intent
  • a thoughtful grantmaker focusing on meeting the needs of the community through nonprofit organizations
  • committed to securing discretionary resources to meet changing community needs
  • a careful steward of permanent endowment and funds
  • a catalyst for action, bringing private and public partners together to address area issues and seize opportunities​ ​​​

What is a Community Foundation?

STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH CHARITABLE GIVING

A community foundation is such a unique place that it is often difficult to describe.

To our fund holders and their trusted advisors, the Community Foundation is a place where individuals and families can organize their charitable giving, maximize tax benefits, and work with a team of professionals to support their favorite causes.

To the nonprofits in our region, the Community Foundation is a valuable connecting point to align with philanthropists, grow an endowment, and work together to ensure that quality of life improves for everyone who lives here.

To civic leaders and everyone who wants to see our community thrive, the Community Foundation is a knowledgeable and helpful convener, often taking a behind-the-scenes lead in regional initiatives toward positive change in the place we all call home.

To everyone in our community, we are your foundation.
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History

BEGINNING YEARS AS REPORTED BY MIKE MAIDENBERG, PRESIDENT OF THE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON AUGUST 9, 1999

Community leaders had been discussing the need for a community foundation since the beginning of this decade. The concern was that there was no local institution that addressed broad-based philanthropy in the way a community foundation can. The North Dakota Community Foundation, based in Bismarck (255 miles away) seemed too distant to be a solution. The Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation (80 miles away) was another alternative, but Grand Forks was concerned about being able to steer an independent path. To be subsumed under Faro-Moorhead would have discouraged local giving, in the judgment of community leaders.
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There was a working committee that met once or twice a year. The last meeting ironically, was two days before the flood on 1997.

It was in the aftermath of the disaster that a stronger push for a community foundation emerged. First and foremost, when Joan Kroc (“the Angel”) said she wanted to give $15-20 million to Grand Forks, she (or her advisers) first sought to channel the dollars through a community foundation. They found that Grand Forks did not have one.

As it turned out, the Kroc dollars went through the North Dakota Community Foundation. But those of us who wanted Grand Forks to have its own community foundation thought there was a gaping hole by not having a foundation in place. Even though Kroc said she wanted all her funds to pass through, we felt that in the case of this gift or future gifts, there ought to be a way to transform the giving impulse into philanthropic endowment.

So on November 21, 1997, the foundation was incorporated. Tom Clifford, former president of the University of North Dakota and chair of the Mayor’s Task Force for Flood Recovery, was a key member of the group urging that the foundation get under way.
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On January 18, 1998, we receive our provision 501(c)3 status, and organized the board. We adopted a set of bylaws, and I assumed as its president.

Annual Reports

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region will make available for public inspection its annual audited financial statement and the last three years of its tax documents, including Internal Revenue Service Forms 990.

If the request for any of these documents is made in person, the requested documents will be provided on the day of the request, if possible. If the request is in writing (including email), copies will be provided within 30 days of the request. The requester may be charged a reasonable fee for the cost of copying, plus postage.

Questions concerning documents should be addressed to either the Executive Director or President.
2024 Annual Report

Accreditation

​The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is an accredited foundation meeting the nation's highest philanthropic standards for operation quality, integrity, and accountability set forth by the Community Foundations National Standards Board. 

Our accreditation provides assurance that we have sound policies and practices in place. In short, it means we meet the highest standards for local giving.

To receive accreditation with National Standards, the Community Foundation submitted policies and procedures to a rigorous review of 26 National Standards in six key areas of community foundation operations, including donor services, investment management, grantmaking, and administration. For more information, visit cfstandards.org.

Additionally, the Community Foundation has earned and annually mantains the Platinum Seal of Transparency with Candid GuideStar, an acknowledgement that only 0.5% of nonprofits achieve.
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Connecting people who care with causes that matter in the Middle and Upper Red River Valley.

Visit Us

Contact Us

620 DeMers Avenue
Grand Forks, ND 58201
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701-746-0668
[email protected]
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​Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 10am - 4pm
Remote/Virtual Hours: Friday, 10am - 4pm
​Meetings by Appointment
National Standards Seal for Accredited Community Foundations
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Accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®
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