 By Revey Hertzler In the greater Grand Forks area, Art Matters stands as a pillar of creativity for underserved children. Founded in 2022, this small but impactful organization has been making a significant difference in the community. The core mission of Art Matters is to get free packs of art supplies to children in need. Each art pack, averaging ten dollars to assemble, includes crayons, markers, colored pencils, a large eraser, a glue stick, a sketchbook, pencils, and a drawstring bag. The organization, fiscally sponsored by the Community Foundation, works in collaboration with other nonprofits to identify where these supplies will have the largest effect. Art for All The inspiration for Art Matters stems from the childhood of its founder, Carrie Sapa, whose experience of artistic freedom was a tremendous outlet for creativity and problem-solving. The turning point came during her college years at the University of North Dakota when a professor highlighted the lack of access to art materials among many children. This revelation motivated Sapa to ensure that every child could experience the joy and benefits of art. With the help of the Community Foundation, Art Matters was born. Measuring the impact of accessible art supplies is an integral part of their mission. Sapa often delivers the packs herself, witnessing firsthand the excitement they bring to the children. “I have seen kids literally jump for joy and hug their art packs as soon as they get them,” says Sapa. “This kind of feedback tells me we are doing the right thing.” Collaborating for Change Art and art education are vital components of any community. They bring people together, fostering healthy bonds and reducing isolation. Engaging in art helps to reduce stress, create empathy, and promote critical thinking. Moreover, art is simply fun and can be a powerful tool for healing and unifying communities. Collaboration is key to the success of Art Matters, as they rely heavily on partnerships with schools and other nonprofits. Many underserved children face challenges in accessing donated items, so Art Matters works with organizations that regularly interact with these children to bridge that gap. One of their key partners is the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC), a long-established local nonprofit. “When CVIC identifies children who are in need, the packs they distribute can be a key resource to keep kids engaged and help put them more at ease during difficult situations,” says Sapa. Feedback from CVIC has been incredibly positive, emphasizing how the packs help children cope during times of instability and uncertainty. They provide a valuable outlet for mindfulness and engagement during CVIC’s meetings with families, which can be stressful for children. Art Matters has also collaborated with Calvary Lutheran Church, where they provided art supplies to every student at Lewis and Clark School in honor of Pastor Kirk Messick. This project was a touching tribute and a huge success, with 195 packs distributed. Great Effort for Greater Outcomes Maintaining the operation and distribution of art packs, especially during challenging times, has not been without its hurdles. The entire Art Matters team is made up of volunteers, and Sapa herself works a full-time job alongside it. “This often requires working at night and on weekends,” she explains, and during the summer, her living room turns into something of a warehouse for supplies. Sapa is grateful for the support of her spouse and motivated by the positive experiences these art packs bring to children. At Art Matters, that motivation never falters. “We may be an organization of unpaid volunteers, but we have deep roots in our community and a strong determination. We are committed to seeking donations, broadcasting our mission, keeping up relationships, and forming new ones, no matter how long it takes,” Sapa explains. Helping Hands
For Art Matters, the organization offers multiple ways for people to contribute to their mission, including monetary donations, ordering supplies, filling packs, and spreading the word. This flexibility allows Art Matters to adapt to changing needs and continue serving the community effectively. Volunteer engagement is crucial. The organization relies on friends, family, and students at Sacred Heart High School, who love to help fill and move packs. However, finding volunteers for fundraising, grant writing, and maintaining social media can be challenging. Nevertheless, the organization is incredibly grateful for those who share the mission and help how they can. Bright Futures Support from the Community Foundation has been instrumental in helping Art Matters establish its footing and gain legitimacy. This support allows the organization to receive donations and continue its mission while applying for its 501(c)(3) status. The Foundation's backing goes a long way to inform the public and potential donors about Art Matters' genuine commitment to helping vulnerable children. Looking to the future, Art Matters aims to expand its outreach. Short-term goals include providing crafts or mini art packs at local lunch programs and engaging with the community during the Fourth of July events. In the long term, the organization hopes to extend its services to the elderly, disabled, and other underserved communities in North Dakota and Minnesota. Get Involved In its first year, Art Matters donated 386 art packs. In 2023, they were able to distribute 627. The goal is to continue this upward trajectory and give back to the community that has given so much. Art Matters hopes to continue growing and always welcomes donations, volunteers, and championing of the cause through word-of-mouth and shares on social media. Aspiring volunteers can contact Art Matters at [email protected] or through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Those who cannot volunteer time can offer support by spreading the mission or making donations. Art Matters is a testament to the power of art and community collaboration. With the support of volunteers and donors, this organization continues to bring joy, creativity, and hope to the lives of children in the Greater Grand Forks region. -- Revey Hertzler is a published writer, activist, and friend of the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region.  The Grand Forks Public Schools Summer Performing Arts Company (SPA) has just completed its 37th season. 1,153 area students participated in SPA this summer – a record-breaking year of enrollment. SPA offers various Fine Arts programs for students of all ages and abilities. Programs vary in length and curriculum depending on the age group, and all culminate in a performance opportunity.
Our High School mainstage productions this summer were “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and “Grease”. We were fortunate to have full houses for all of our performances, and we are grateful for the community support. Because SPA has gained so much community support through the years, we feel it is important to give back to the community that is so generous to us. This summer, we hosted a spare change drive to benefit the Grand Forks Foundation for Education Giving Tree and the Santa Claus Girls – two programs that help many area children and students. The Giving Tree helps Grand Forks Public Schools students and their families by providing a pantry stocked with critical items such as personal care products, essential household items, school supplies, snacks, and more. The Santa Claus Girls provide a gift bag that includes a toy, candy, reading book, coloring book/crayons, toothbrush and toothpaste, hat, gloves, and socks to children aged 12 and under from low-income families during the holiday season. One of the greatest accomplishments of the SPA program is that no student has ever been turned away from participation due to financial hardship. Because of private donations and grant programs such as those offered through the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region, we were able to assist 110 students this summer. Post-COVID, the requests for assistance have steadily increased. The number of extreme hardship cases has increased as well. Though Arts education is the primary focus of the program, we recognize the importance of providing a safe and positive environment for our students. In some cases, SPA may be one of the only safe spaces some students may encounter outside of the school year. Supporting all students’ mental health and social well-being is critical. All in all, 2024 was a tremendous season for SPA. We thank everyone for their continued support to ensure that all of our students shine brightly on stage and behind the scenes.  Photo provided by the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region has named 12 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:
Combined funding totaling $128,806.38 was distributed among 12 organizations including:
"The Community Foundation works diligently to support programs that offer low-cost educational and artistic experiences to our region’s families, to increase access for both artists and diverse audiences, and to encourage the growth of our community’s creative and cultural sectors," said the Community Foundation’s Executive Director Becca Baumbach. Grants from the Iseminger Endowment for the Arts illustrate a diverse range of creative opportunities that will educate, entertain, and inspire the communities of the upper Red River Valley. 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.  Photo provided by Public Arts Commission, 2023 ArtFest  Your clients who own highly-appreciated works of art certainly can consider making gifts of this property to a charity. Use caution, though, when helping clients structure gifts of artwork. To be eligible for a charitable deduction at fair market value, the nonprofit recipient’s use of the donated artwork must meet certain qualifications, in that the artwork has to be used for its charitable purpose (think art museums). On top of that, be wary of techniques that recently have come under severe IRS scrutiny and have been determined to circumvent the rules for tax deductions.
This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended as legal, accounting, or financial planning advice.  The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region is the recipient of the 2023 North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations’ (NDANO) Partnership Building Award. The Partnership Building Award is given to an organization that has demonstrated community leadership and built partnerships within the North Dakota nonprofit sector.
“It is an honor to present this award to an organization whose work has reached across so many charitable sectors,” says Dana Hager, NDANO Executive Director. The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit, community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. Working in partnership with hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, and trusted advisers, the Community Foundation manages over 145 charitable funds and provides grants to a variety of nonprofits, schools, libraries, civic agencies, and other charitable causes. “We are committed to transforming collective generosity into the greater good for the region,” said Becca Baumbach, Community Foundation Executive Director. “From strengthening local nonprofits and helping students reach their educational goals, to empowering women leaders and investing in new opportunities for area children, we plan and collaborate to ensure that regional philanthropy has a real impact.” Over the past 25 years, the Community Foundation has deployed over $12 million to improve the quality of life of the region’s residents and enhance the vibrancy of communities. This past year was one of the most impactful years in the Community’s Foundation’s history. In all, the Community Foundation received 462 gifts from donors and distributed a record $1.35 million to improve health and education, aid community and human services, amplify creativity and culture, and support economic development across Grand Forks, Walsh, and Polk Counties. The Arts Regrant Program, for example, has been an invaluable opportunity for many. With funds provided by the City of Grand Forks and the National Endowment for the Arts, the program supports the growth and success of arts and culture organizations and secures their vital role in the community. In 2022, the Foundation distributed the Arts Regrant pot of nearly $260,000 among 14 nonprofits. These funds have proven more impactful than ever as many award recipients continue to recover from the financial and logistical crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among last year’s recipients was Arts for Vets, a young organization facilitating the creative expression of military veterans. “We started at my kitchen table in late 2015,” said Kim Wilson, Founder and Executive Director. By 2019, Wilson and other artists had secured a lease for a location large enough to house their quickly growing “nomadic tribe” of members. Wilson didn’t let the pandemic, which hit the U.S. in early 2020, ruin her vision. “We did art and grocery drops, bought iPads and phones for shut-ins, and paid for wireless and internet services for some members so people could stay connected.” By late 2021, the organization launched two substantial art shows. With the help of the Arts Regrant funding, they would go on to do much more. Arts for Vets upped its number of participants last year and more than doubled their audience attendance. “In 2021 we had 51 participants in our classes, and shows reaching an audience of 4,495 people,” said Wilson. “In 2022 those numbers jumped immensely: our participants increased to 219, with shows reaching an audience of 12,601!” The welcomed growth resulted in a need for more space. Thanks to their 2022 award, Arts for Vets now has two locations for year-round shows and exhibits. “We expanded our gallery at 215 N 3rd from 1,000 to 4,000 square feet to accommodate the increased demand for our shows, classes, community space, and studios. In 2022, we had several highly praised exhibits, and we also secured a permanent gallery at the University of North Dakota. Through generous collaboration with UND, our Veteran Artists have a permanent rotating show called Creative Forces located in UND’s old medical school.” The Arts Regrant funding was applied to more than expanding their grounds. “The award assisted us in meeting every aspect of our mission to provide quality classes, production, and mentoring for people that would either not be able to afford those things or not feel comfortable in a less supportive and less personalized environment.” Wilson went on, “I like to say, ‘This group can knit a sweater out of lint if we have to.’ But we had a very limited income last year, and the grant funding helped us to keep going.” Art has long been known to offer therapeutic effects to creators and their audiences. With its resident Air Force base, Grand Forks is a prime location for an organization hoping to help veterans express themselves. “We do not edit people’s expressions to serve any purpose but their own, and even though some of the topics for veterans and participants can be tough, they say they feel completely supported in exploring their thoughts and experiences freely,” Wilson provided. Arts for Vets offers multiple classes, including: Native American Beading, Writing and Poetry, Paint Pour, Art as Small Business, Individual Mentoring for Artists and Musicians, Water Media, Card Making and Collage, Family Art Makers, Frame Shop, Woodworking, Stained Glass, Writing A Great Song, and Spoken Word Presentation. Wilson expects class participation to further increase from 219 to 250 people. “I have the privilege of witnessing artists evolve on their journeys,” Wilson said. “Arts for Vets is honored to hold that space for them, to uplift them and help them be seen.” Wilson, who herself has always found healing through creative expression, believes Arts for Vets to be an integral part of not just an artist’s life, but the community at large. “We provide an interface between the business community and at-risk populations that elevates, equalizes, and celebrates artists and community offerings in a safe, respectful, and fun atmosphere. The Community Foundation’s support contributes to the stability and consistency of these most-needed collaborations.” Recently, the National Endowment for the Arts announced that the Community Foundation was the recipient of a $50,000 grant to assist local arts organizations with their projects in 2024. This funding will bolster support offered through the Arts Regrant Program, increasing the program’s reach next year. Also among last year’s grant recipients was Golden Link Senior Center, which was awarded through the Community Opportunity Grant Program. This particular program focuses on improving the quality of life in our region. Located in Crookston, MN, the Center itself is a pillar of support in the community. “It’s the only place in Crookston for seniors to gather,” said Tamara Parkin, Grant Chair and Secretary of the Board. “We also open our facility to all nonprofit and service groups to hold meetings and events.” Currently, 16 organizations utilize the Center’s building, making it an even more valuable asset to the community. In 2022, Golden Link applied specifically for funds to help with their Educational Programming Series, an eight-week course on medical and legal subjects. “It’s essential to keep current on issues we face as we age,” Parkin said. Some of the programming’s covered topics included general nutrition, stroke and heart attack prevention, and medication management. The funding contributed to the acquisition of course materials and the overall success of the series. As with Arts for Vets, Golden Link saw an increase in patrons last year, as well as a record number of programs. Parkin is excited for this growth to continue into 2023. “You are never too old to learn and to play. We already offer so much variety in our programming, from exercise to movies. We have card playing, music and arts programming, patron trips, and coffee time. We have something for everyone.” But, with a growth-centered mission, the Center wants to do even more. The 2022 Community Opportunity grant award paves the way for greater initiatives, such as bringing in medical specialists to directly discuss health issues older adults often face. Besides serving as a philanthropic partner to donors and nonprofits, the Community Foundation also strives to enhance community engagement through unique, shared opportunities. On September 14, the Community Foundation will once again join with several local organizations to hold the third Longest Table, an international award-winning event that welcomes 1,000 residents to sit down for a free meal in a welcoming environment with people they may not know to foster stronger connections, exchange ideas, and promote community engagement around a central topic. Stay tuned for more information about the Longest Table at longesttablegf.com.  The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region has been approved for a $50,000 Grants for Arts Projects award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to support local arts and culture nonprofit organizations through the Arts Regrant Program. This program invests in local arts- and culture-based nonprofits that produce quality experiences, enhance educational opportunities, and commit to the growth of new and diverse audiences. This funding supports these organizations as they facilitate the creation of art and cultural opportunities for the benefit of the public.
The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is among 1,130 recipients across the country, totaling more than $31 million, that were selected during this second round of Grants for Arts Projects fiscal year 2023 funding. “The National Endowment for the Arts is pleased to support a wide range of projects, including the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, demonstrating the many ways the arts enrich our lives and contribute to healthy and thriving communities,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “These organizations play an important role in advancing the creative vitality of our nation and helping to ensure that all people can benefit from arts, culture, and design.” For more information on other projects included in the NEA grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.  The North Dakota Shakespeare Festival is a 2022 Arts Regrant Program recipient. In its initiative to direct funds toward local creative and cultural endeavors, the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region has named the recipients of the 2022 Arts Regrant Program. The Arts Regrant Program offers financial support for local arts and culture organizations who seek to educate, entertain, and inspire the community with their creative vision. This year’s grant program consisted of funding from two separate pools, evaluated independently from one another:
Combined funding totaling $257,999.94 was distributed among 14 nonprofit organizations including:
"The Arts Regrant Program works diligently to support programs that offer low-cost educational and artistic experiences to Grand Forks families, to increase access for both artists and diverse audiences, and to encourage the growth our community’s creative and cultural sectors," said the Community Foundation’s Executive Director Becca Baumbach. Baumbach says the Arts Regrant Program investments have created ripples of hope across the community, especially given that the arts sector was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic. Organizations had to think critically and creatively to survive, and many are rebuilding capacity as audiences have begun to return. ArtWise, an organization that saw dramatic change in their funding levels from 2020-2022, said receiving Arts Regrant funding allowed them to restructure their programming and open a new facility in the Columbia Mall, taking on gallery shows and educational opportunities to support local artists and families.  The Northern Valley Youth Orchestras is a 2022 Arts Regrant Program recipient. The North Dakota Ballet Company’s Executive Director, Laura Arneson, also talked positively about the impact of the arts both during the pandemic and as restrictions continue to lift. “The positive influence of our programming over the past two years has been most prominent on our young artists as these uncertain times have created increased isolation and depression. It was important for the North Dakota Ballet Company to continue to provide this outlet for our dancers, as well as encourage the community as they ease back into in-person experiences.”
With the return to some normalcy and the availability of additional funding, many applicants to the Arts Regrant Program shared their enthusiasm to return to pre-pandemic audience numbers while implementing the lessons learned and the new ideas generated over the past two years. “The Arts Regrant Program supports so much of the quality of life we enjoy in Grand Forks,” said Baumbach. “From artists receiving professional opportunities, to children thriving because of creative outlets, to audiences and visitors supporting our economy, this grant program has a huge impact.” Over the next 12 months, it is projected grantees will offer opportunities to 6,440 professional artists and aspiring creatives and will welcome over 60,800 visitors and audience members to their facilities. Community Foundation to Receive $150,000 Grant from the NEA as Part of the American Rescue Plan11/18/2021
 The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is pleased to announce they have been selected to receive an American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to help the arts and cultural sector recover from the pandemic. The Community Foundation is receiving $150,000 and will use this funding to distribute grants in their community to eligible recipients to save jobs and to fund operations and facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts to encourage attendance and participation. In total, the NEA will award grants totaling $20,200,000 to 66 local arts agencies nationwide for subgranting.
“The NEA’s significant investment in local arts agencies, including the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, is a key element in helping the arts and culture sector recover and reopen, while ensuring that American Rescue Plan funding is distributed equitably,” said Ann Eilers, NEA’s acting chair. “These grants recognize the vital role of local arts agencies and will allow them to help rebuild local economies and contribute to the well-being of our communities.” “We are deeply appreciative to our federal partners for this funding from the American Rescue Plan,” said Becca Baumbach, Executive Director of the Community Foundation. “This much-needed opportunity will provide critical support to our creative sector, ensuring that museums, theaters, galleries, and studios are well positioned to re-open with new safety protocols in place and regain a solid financial position for long-term sustainability. For many households during the pandemic, these organizations brought entertainment, creativity, and a touch of normalcy during periods of seclusion and uncertainty. From outdoor theatre and live-streamed ballet performances to Zoom-based arts classes and virtual book readings, these nonprofits have gone above and beyond to create a vibrant community regardless of the circumstances dealt to them over the past eighteen months.” The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region will distribute the funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with an arts and/or culture-based mission and principal operations in the City of Grand Forks in conjunction with its annual Arts Regrant Program. Applicants will be able to apply for funding to assist with salaries, facilities, health and safety supplies, and marketing and promotional efforts. The Arts Regrant Program will open for applications at 9:00am on February 1, 2022, and will close at noon on February 28, 2022. Applications will be evaluated based on artistic quality; impact, existing or potential, on the communities and audiences the organization serves and/or plans to serve; and organizational capabilities. Preference may be given to nonprofits that have not received any prior American Rescue Plan funding. Grant recipients will be announced by March 31, 2022. More details about the program will be available at gofoundation.org beginning in January. This is the second of three installments of the NEA’s American Rescue Plan funding. Last April, the NEA announced that 40 percent of its $135 million in ARP funding would be allocated to 62 state, jurisdictional, and regional arts organizations for regranting through their respective programs. The third installment of ARP funding to arts organizations to support their own operations will be announced in early 2022. For more information on the NEA’s American Rescue Plan grants, including the full list of local arts agencies funded in this announcement, visitwww.arts.gov/COVID-19/the-american-rescue-plan. About the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region is a nonprofit, community foundation created by and for the people of the region to encourage a spirit of philanthropy. Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and trusted advisers, the Foundation manages over 100 charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations, public entities, and other charitable causes. Since 1998, the Foundation has granted over $8 million to create stronger, more vibrant communities across the middle and upper Red River Valley, with a focus on Grand Forks and Polk Counties. Learn more about the Community Foundation and its work at gofoundation.org. The City of Grand Forks Arts Regrant Program provides funding to nonprofit arts- and/or culture-based organizations in the City of Grand Forks that facilitate the creation of art for the benefit of the public. Funds are provided by the City of Grand Forks and administered by the Community Foundation through a competitive grant cycle held in February and March of each year.
2020 IMPACT AWARDS A new opportunity for 2020, the Impact Award is presented to one or more organizations that have gone above and beyond in capacity-building, accelerating partnerships, supporting local artists, and/or employing new or innovative methods within the field. No applications were accepted for the award. Recipients were chosen from among the 2020 Arts Regrant applicants. With the disruptive nature of the current COVID-19 situation, the 2020 Impact Award highlights two nonprofits that are responding and adapting in new and experimental ways to engage residents of our community. $1,000 - Northern Valley Youth Orchestra for "Music in Bloom": The program was selected as it employed a unique and innovative way to connect young musicians and music enthusiasts in a virtual environment during the uncertain and isolating experiences that our community is now facing. $500 - North Dakota Museum of Art for "Art in Isolation": The program was selected as it is engaging patrons through art and creativity while practicing social distancing. |
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