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 …

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…

Women’s Fund Grant Supports YWCA Initiative A few years ago, a woman staying at the YWCA’s shelter wanted to make a change for her and her family. She wanted to go back to school, but didn’t think it was feasible with a child at home. When an opportunity arose to try an eight-week manufacturing program through NDSCS, she decided to participate through the support of the YWCA and a grant from the …