The FM Area Foundation recently awarded 12 grants totaling $29,300 to community organizations working in arts, culture and creativity in Cass and Clay counties. Grants are evaluated by a special grants committee and approved by the FM Area Foundation’s Board of Directors. The FM Area Foundation’s community grant rounds address needs throughout Cass County, N.D., and Clay County, Minn., and pro…

As part of our mission, we support the work of local nonprofits. One way we do this is through agency endowments. You can help support a charity by donating to their agency endowment, which provides permanent support for their operations. Endowments are sustainable forever gifts. Your contribution becomes principal, with its interest or gain in value becoming an ongoing resource. Endowment fun…

The FM Area Foundation has joined #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and celebrate generosity. The FM Area Foundation is hosting Cookies & Cocoa at their office Nov. 29 from 8:30 a.m. to noon to invite friends and community members in to enjoy a sweet treat and learn more about #…

It is a cold spring day in 2009.  It is after 4 p.m. and the Clay County Veterans Service Office is about to close.  The door opens and in walks a young veteran carrying his 8-month-old daughter.  He tells Tom Figliuzzi, the Veterans Service Officer that he has recently moved here from Illinois with a promise of both a job and a place to stay.  A single parent, he has just been informed that his …

Give more for less There is good news for community foundation donors in their 70s—and for the communities and causes they care about. A permanent law makes it possible to give individual retirement account (IRA) assets to charity, free from federal tax, annually. Prior to 2006, all lifetime distributions from IRAs were taxed—even those given to charity. As such, our donors can give far more w…

Agnes Liudahl creates scholarship fund to benefit local students Agnes Liudahl made a living working with students; today, she continues to give back to students through the creation of a scholarship fund. “I was the first secretary for the West Fargo School system, for both the principal and the superintendent.  When the school got bigger, I worked just for the principal, which I loved becau…

The FM Area Foundation recently awarded 18 grants totaling $69,211 to community organizations working to provide educational opportunities for community members in Cass and Clay counties. The goal of the Education grant round is to support charitable projects, programs and organizations that: Provide inclusive learning opportunities for people in our community. Develop and enhance skills to…

Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are fast becoming the most popular vehicle for charitable giving in the U.S. More than 238,293 donor advised funds exist, up 29% over the past five years, according to the National Philanthropic Trust’s 2015 Donor Advised Fund Report, which uses 2014 data. Contributions to donor advised fund accounts also hit an all-time high of $19.66 billion in 2014 driving Donor Advi…

This article is from the January 2010 FM Area Foundation newsletter. The Francis and Adeline Trust Fund was established in 2009 and continues to provide grants annually to Farm Rescue.  Francis and Adeline Hartl were farmers in the Alice, N.D., area for many years, and made provisions to continue to support farming beyond their lifetime. Francis died in 2001, and Adeline passed away in Februar…

The FM Area Foundation’s first community grant round and Women’s Fund grant round are now open. The FM Area Foundation’s community grant round addresses needs throughout Cass County, N.D., and Clay County, Minn., and promotes collaborative efforts to improve life in these areas. Traditionally, the FM Area Foundation has had one annual competitive grant round in which nonprofits could apply. Thi…