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About Us

Tim Beaton, FMAF Executive Director

 

Tim Beaton, Executive Director

The Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation was created in 1960, as the community foundation for Cass County, North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Community foundations are created as a vehicle for long term philanthropy; a mechanism for giving back to the community. A vast majority of our 250+ funds are permanent; existing in perpetuity to meet the donor’s wishes. Our responsibility is to manage these funds, investing wisely and ensuring the donor’s intent is always met.

We provide ongoing community support, through our Donor Advised Funds, Scholarship Funds, Designated Funds, and our Unrestricted Fund.  

We also provide ongoing donor support and flexibility. Our staff will work with you to ensure your philanthropic goals are met. Annual Fund Statements, an efficient grantmaking process, and access to information about any and all nonprofit organizations are available through the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation.

We provide student scholarships through our more than 40 scholarship funds. Scholarships for students entering various fields, from Engineering to the Trades are available through the Foundation. We also provide ongoing resources and support for the nonprofit sector within Cass and Clay Counties. In addition to grantmaking, we provide workshops, and resource materials within our website for the area’s nonprofit sector.

We will work with you to ensure that your philanthropic wishes are met. If you would like additional information, please feel free to contact us.

 

Mission Statement

Our mission is to enrich the quality of life of the people of this area by:

  • Encouraging Philanthropy
  • Assessing and responding to community needs
  • Providing flexibility for donors with varied interests and giving capacities
  • Serving as a resource and a catalyst for other organizations

 

 

Public Availability of IRS Form 990 and Audited Financial Statements
Public inspection of copies of the audited financial statements, Form 1023 and Forms 990 are available at our office.

  • Public inspection copies of the audited financial statements, Forms 1023 and 990 are available the same day to anyone who requests them in person at our office.
  • Written requests for the documents will be responded to within 30 days.
  • The Foundation may require prepayment of copying and postage costs.

Click here to view the 2011 Annual Report

Board of Directors

FMAF Board of Directors share one very strong trait: a dedication to the community. Some have been lifelong residents of the area; others only recently began to call the Red River Valley home.


Joan Justesen
Chair
Retired

Kate Haugen
Vice-Chair
ND State University

Corey Elmer
 Secretary
Vogel Law Firm

Dorwin Marquardt
Treasurer
Retired

Tom Dawson
Dawson Insurance

Thomas Jefferson
State Farm Insurance

Tom Schaffer
Retired

Carol Schlossman
Insight to Action, LLC

Bruce Furness
Retired

Laine Branter
Evolution1

Joel Jorgenson
Packet Digital

Matthew Mohr
Dacotah Paper Company

Morrie Lanning
Retired MN Legislator

Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation Staff

 

Tim Beaton
Executive Director
tim@areafoundation.org

Tim supervises the overall operation, growth and development of the foundation. He works with new and current donors and their advisors to create solutions that satisfy the donors’ philanthropic desires and the communities needs. Tim is a native of Fargo, graduating from NDSU in 1971 and UND School of Law in 1974. For over twenty years he was in banking, managing trust departments in five communities including two separate departments in the Fargo Moorhead area. Most recently, he and his wife, Joan, owned a small local retail business.

 

Patty Mastel
Finance Director
patty@areafoundation.org

Patty oversees the financial operations, information technology, and national standards for the Foundation. She maintains official records and ensures the Foundation is in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Patty has fourteen years of experience in accounting and financial management. Her previous experience includes more than ten years within the nonprofit sector; employed by organizations that include Pine to Prairies Girl Scouts and the YWCA Cass Clay. Mastel received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Minnesota State University Moorhead and has been a licensed CPA of ND since 1996.

 

Cher Hersrud
Program Officer
cher@areafoundation.org

Cher is responsible for the grantmaking, scholarships, community engagement, and the nonprofit services of the Foundation. She oversees special programs and initiatives, community/special events, and nonprofit services. Hersrud joined the Foundation in June, 2008, after ten years of managing a statewide program for rural nonprofit organizations and communities. She has more than twenty five years of experience within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, and has received three fellowships for national research related to community foundations and charitable gaming in North Dakota.

 

Sheila Harris
Development Officer
sheila@areafoundation.org

Sheila helps individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits recognize their full philanthropic potential. As development officer, she communicates new giving opportunities to our fund holders. This includes donor education, events and family philanthropy planning. She also introduces donors to charitable organizations that match their personal values and goals. Sheila joined the FMAF in 2013. Before this, she spent 15 years working in fundraising for Concordia College, the YWCA Cass Clay and the Minn-Kota Chapter of the American Red Cross. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Business Communications from the College of St. Benedict, St. Joseph, MN.

 

Darcy Putnam
Administrative Assistant
darcy@areafoundation.org

Darcy provides administrative support for the Executive Director as well as the Board of Directors and Foundation committees. She also provides the database, website and social media maintenance, and records management. Darcy has worked in a variety of industries providing office support, management and bookkeeping. She graduated in 2008 from Minot State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education and also holds an Associate Degree in Accounting/Clerical.