Community Foundation | Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region
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SUPPORT THE FOUNDATION

WOMEN'S FUND

Inspire

Established in 2002 by twenty area women, the Women’s Fund is a component fund of the Community Foundation promoting regional programs that inspire, empower, and invest in women and girls. It also allows for tax-deductible gifts of all sizes to collectively make an even greater difference in the communities of the middle and upper Red River Valley.

Our mission: to provide ideas, energy, and resources so that women and girls are empowered to achieve economic, social, and political equity. 

Directed by an Advisory Committee of community leaders and philanthropists, the Fund creates options and opportunities for women and girls by:
  • Investing in organizations that create positive change in our communities;
  • Empowering women with training and education provided by the Women’s Fund Leadership Academy; and
  • Inspiring the region to act on the issues and concerns affecting women and girls both today and in the future.

To date, this nearly $700,000 endowment fund has granted over $255,250 to initiatives in the region to support its mission. You can help the Women’s Fund by making a gift to help us reach our goal of $1 million! Plus, gifts of $5,000 or more may qualify for the 40% ND Endowment Tax Credit.
SUPPORT THE WOMEN'S FUND

Empower

The Women’s Fund Leadership Academy is a program held each fall that invests in and empowers women leaders residing within Grand Forks County or Polk County. The Academy selects a cohort of 20 applicants to take part in 24-30 hours of free, in-depth leadership training, geared toward personal and professional development. Examples of sessions include the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment, personal brand development, meaningful mentorship, and financial readiness.

Applications open each July. Applicants do not need to have extensive leadership experience. The Academy seeks women who are:
  • Interested in expanding leadership capacity at home, work, or in the community;
  • Eager to build connections across differences;
  • Willing to contribute knowledge to the cohort, offering their own diverse perspectives; and
  • Committed to participating in all sessions.

​Due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Women's Fund Leadership Academy has been cancelled. The Academy will resume in the fall of 2021.
Learn More

Invest

The Women’s Fund Grant Program distributes a portion of its endowment funds annually to support nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations throughout the region. Nonprofits can apply for up to $5,000 in funding through the Fund’s competitive grant-making process.

Past grants have supported:
  • Discrete distribution of feminine hygiene products to low-income women and girls;
  • Specialized driver’s education training for refugee (New American) women;
  • Celebrations of women in music to address inequalities within the field;
  • Evidence-based therapy and support for girls to teach positive coping skills; and
  • Adventures for K-12 girls in space and technology, fields in which a distinct gender gap currently exists.

The grant application opens online each July. Awards are made within 4-6 weeks. Grant applicants must fulfill all eligibility criteria, including:
  • Be a nonprofit organization with tax-exempt status or be fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit with such status;
  • Have principal operations in Grand Forks County or Polk County; and
  • Be up-to-date on all reports if a past grant recipient of the Community Foundation.

Preference may be given to new projects or programs and/or new grant applicants. 
Learn More
​2020 Advisory Committee
Heather Burchill
Kristy Berger Jelinek
Tanya Butler
Becca Cruger, Chair
Katherine Dachtler
Laura Dulitz
Amber Flynn
Jennifer Haugen
Nora Hubbard, Secretary
Stephanie Johnson​
Nikki Massmann
Liza McLean
Fayme Stringer Henry
Sarah Shimek​
Wendy Wendt, Vice Chair

Founders
Pat Berger
Laura Block
​Marijo Dietz
Sandra Donaldson
Kim Greendahl
Anne Gerber
Kristi Hall-Jiran
Charlotte Hovet
Joan Johnson

​Jean Kiesau (1914-2008)
Deb Kleven
Cindy Langerud Kinney
Barb Kramer
Mary Beth Kelley Lowe
Ruth Marshall
Jessica Langerud Nelson (1971-2019)
Judi Paukert
Martha A. Potvin
Robin Silverman

Lynne Thompson
​
Member Emerita
Barb Lander (1930-2013)

Connecting people who care with causes that matter.

Visit Us

Contact Us

620 DeMers Avenue
Grand Forks, ND 58201
​
P: 701.746.0668
E: communityfoundation@gofoundation.org
​
Office Closed to Public Until Further Notice
​Phone/Virtual Office Hours: Monday-Friday 
10am - 3pm ​or by appt
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​© Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region. All rights reserved.
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  • Donors & Funds
    • Support the Foundation
    • Ways to Give
    • Funds
    • Give to a Fund
    • Create a Fund >
      • Get Started
      • Types of Funds
    • ND Tax Credit
  • Nonprofits & Students
    • Grants
    • Scholarships
    • Recipients
    • Grant Requirements
    • Portal
  • Women's Fund
    • About
    • Give
    • Grants
    • Leadership Academy
  • About
    • About Us
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Contact