Connecting
FM Area Foundation Annual Report
2013
Community Foundations of North Dakota
COLLABORATE The Bush Foundation awarded the FM Area Foundation a $100,000 grant to support a statewide media campaign focused on the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit. The goal was to increase philanthropy in North Dakota through increased awareness. Working in collaboration with the other four community foundations across North Dakota, the FM Area Foundation hired a marketing firm to develop a plan to increase awareness of both the concept of endowment and the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit. The plan focused on the broad distribution of brochures, a website, social media, newspaper ads and radio commercials. Although the state has not yet released the tax credit information, the campaign was a success on several levels. One important and unplanned outcome was the creation of the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, based in Valley City. A second new community foundation is in development in the Williston area. The FM Area Foundation staff has been assisting in their development. The community foundations of North Dakota plan to hold a second annual networking meeting Summer, 2014.
Connecting
The Women’s Fund - $1 Million Strong! The Women’s Fund, founded in 2000, had a goal. To raise
In May, 2013, many of those founding mothers and donors
$1 million dollars in an endowed fund that would support
celebrated reaching that goal at the third annual Breakfast
women and children in the FM area forever. Research
for Women and Children.
ensued and three priorities prevailed:
• Children in need of care
• The economic well-being of women and their families
• Opportunities for women in leadership
The Women’s Fund is led by a dedicated committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, and it continues to grow in size and in its grant-making capacity. The new committee structure aligns with the strategic initiatives of the Foundation as the
Over 13 years, through a grassroots movement, 600 women and men made gifts to the Fund that propelled it to its goal.
Women’s Fund sets its sites on its next goal.
Foundation Expands Little Free Library Movement Reading can provide hours of joyful education, escape and entertainment, yet not everyone has access to books. The Foundation set out to help change that last summer and in partnership with TEDxFargo 2013, sponsored a Little Free Library workshop conducted by co-founder Todd Bol. Bol was one of several TEDxFargo speakers. Foundation donor representatives of Dacotah Paper – Mohr Family Fund and the Francis and Janet Beaton Memorial Fund provided support to create and place four Little Free Libraries within the community. Both adults and children participated in a Chamber ribbon cutting at a Little Free Library installation at the Nokomis Child Care Center in Fargo. The Little Free Library movement promotes literacy, love of reading and builds community. The concept is simple,
“Take a Book. Leave a Book.”
take a book, leave a book. The Noel and Judith Fedje Charitable Fund that sponsors the successful Read to Lead program at Madison Elementary in Fargo, committed funds for a library to be placed on the Madison playground and three others in the community. This spring an open house at the Fargo Public Library featured NDSU Architectural students Little Free Library design competition. Ten libraries were built and put on display. After the competition, The United Way filled each library with books and they were placed throughout Cass and Clay Counties. Look around, you might just find one in your neighborhood!
Connecting
The Making of Better Communities The work of the Foundation crosses multiple sectors of our community. From assisting donors with establishing funds that support their charitable interests, to partnering with financial planners, to linking nonprofits together to work toward a common cause. We create connections that make our community better. In 2013 we increased our focus on the nonprofit sector. Weekly Thursday Briefs covered topics that influence nonprofit operations and communications. Discussions spanned from social media to board management to grant writing to understanding the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit. We also served as fiscal sponsors for emerging nonprofits and short-term community projects. The Foundation lends its tax-exempt status to
• The Stephanie Goetz Mental Wellness Initiative • NDConnected Puzzles • Prairie Roots Food Cooperative • The Fargo Project
organizations not yet recognized by the IRS as
A new full time development officer now allows the Foundation to
tax exempt, so they can temporarily operate as
better serve nonprofit organizations seeking to create or expand
a charity. We sponsored six organizations and
their endowment funds.
projects in 2013: • The West Fargo Area Organization • The West Fargo Scholarship Fund
We are pleased to help strengthen both the nonprofit sector and community initiatives in this manner.
2013
FMABIZGIVES
The Foundation ...
CONNECTING in the Community
78
Benefits Charities
Donor and Foundation Friends Cruise Lake Pelican
From new scholarship funds to support employee education, to pass-through funds supporting fraternity and sorority projects, to donor advised funds where the special interests of a family or individual are supported, the FM Area Foundation connected to make this community a stronger, more vibrant place now and forever.
G
L Madison Elementary Students Celebrate Read to Lead Success at Chahinkapa Zoo
“ The key to getting things done is connecting people . Often the right people are already in place , they just need to focus on the greater good to be energized , utilized and encouraged to work together.�
Miles Atkins
y e
Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Little Free Library at Nokomis Child Care Center
TedxFargo Generates Interest in
Little Free Library Movement
425
Grants Awarded Totaling $1,167,502
“The true meaning of life
17
is to plant trees, under whose shade
New Foundation Funds Created
you do not expect to sit.� Nelson Henderson
$216,200
Awarded in 146 Scholarships
CONNECTIONS There’s a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore. That line is a connection, and without it, Tim Beaton Executive Director
nothing happens. In this annual report, we outline a few ways we connect with our community.
In late 2012, we connected with four community foundations in the state to promote philanthropy. The long term result will be more endowments that serve the needs of North Dakota communities, forever. Connections with financial advisors and service clubs in the FM area resulted in establishing new funds, new scholarships and new nonprofits. The Foundation is connecting with the United Way, the Greater Fargo Moorhead Area Economic Development Corporation and The Chamber to engage in a comprehensive workforce study that will serve as a roadmap for healthy community growth. Connection is at the core of everything we do. We welcome new opportunities to connect in ways that help serve, grow and lift up the FM area. We aren’t just standing on the shore; we are connecting. Thank you to our Board of Directors, donors and community members who continue to improve our community. We are grateful for your partnership and ongoing support.
Foundation Staff Left to Right: Patty Mastel, CPA Finance Director Sheila Harris Development Officer Tim Beaton, JD Executive Director Lexi Oestreich Administrative Assistant Cher Hersrud Program Officer
2013-2014 Board of Directors
Connecting
“Why We Serve?” Joan Justesen, Chair
Laine Brantner
“This Foundation collaborates in bringing organizations together for the good of the community.”
“It is an honor to be a part of an organization whose mission is to invest in our community to make it a better place .”
Kate Haugen, Vice Chair
Tom Dawson
Morrie Lanning
“I respect education and the arts for the health of our community, and FMAF provides invaluable ongoing support in those areas.”
“The FM Area Foundation board allows me to truly make a difference to the community.”
“Serving on the Foundation board enables me to support efforts to strengthen our community.”
Corey Elmer, Secretary
Bruce Furness
Matthew Mohr
“The Foundation makes a real difference in our community and the lives of our residents, making it even better.”
“I want to assure that organizations assisting people in need have funding assistance forever.”
“The Foundation provides me the opportunity to learn about our community while honoring my family heritage .”
Dorwin Marquardt, Treasurer
Thomas Jefferson
Tom Schaffer
“I am pleased to be part of an organization that helps people realize their charitable intentions.”
“I enjoy being part of an organization that collaborates to make our community stronger.”
“Our family has had a nice life here , and serving on this board allows me to give back to this community.”
Neil Jordheim, Trustee Representative
Dr. Joel Jorgenson
Carol Schlossman
“To participate in unselfish giving and inspired leadership, addressing the needs of today and tomorrow.”
“To give voice to those facing challenge , and create a more vibrant community.”
“I grew up watching my parents serve their community and believe it is the right thing to do.”
Fund Supports Fast Growing Team Sport Lacrosse, considered
D
uring a panel discussion on philanthropy, Sandra Roers, of Roers Inc. and Brian Hayer of Warner and Co. had the same concerns. How does a
business find a year-end gift that suits everyone? Food, pens, candy and nuts all have inherent problems. They had made gifts to charity “in honor” of their colleagues and clients, but the tangible gift to their recipients was lost. What they wanted was a gift that was fun to give, receive and does good for the community.
to be America’s first sport, was born of
This conversation spawned the FMABIZGIVES Charitable Giving
the North American
Card. Businesses “purchase” gift cards by making a charitable
Indian. The sport of
donation to the
lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey.
Foundation, and the recipients
Today lacrosse is the fastest growing team sport across the
“redeem” them
country, at all age levels. The NDSU Men’s Bison Lacrosse
online by going
club is not an official NDSU varsity sport, but if you ask the
to our website
coach and players, it will be soon. “Here in the FM area,
and selecting
lacrosse would grow even faster if we could find enough
their favorite
coaches!“ says a local lacrosse enthusiast.
charity from a list of over 300.
FMABIZGIVES Everyone Wins
The Bison lacrosse team survives on team fundraising
The business
activities and a small student activity stipend. This year,
receives a tax deduction, the recipients support their favorite
motivated by the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit,
charity, and the charity receives extra funding. Everyone wins!
one family established a designated fund to support the team forever. Other lacrosse fans and interested donors
Both Roers and Hayer piloted the program in 2013. It is safe
are invited to contribute to the fund which sends a strong
to say the program was a hit. In the words of one recipient,
message…Lacrosse is here to stay. Go Bison Men’s Lacrosse!
“It’s the best gift we received all season, no guilt all love!”
ES
The Foundation ... CONNECTING in the Community
2013 Composition of Assets in millions, unaudited
Unrestricted - 5.5 Scholarship - 8.2
Total Gifts Received in millions, unaudited
Agency - 2.4
5.2
3.5
Field of Interest - 6.2 Designated - 17.0
3.4 2.7
Support Organizations - 0.5
2013
2012
2011
Donor Advised - 26.0
2010
2009
1.8
Health 5% Youth 4%
2013 Grants Distributed
Total Grants Paid in millions, unaudited
Human Services 29%
1.4
2009
2.5
2010
1.8
2011
2.4
2012
Civic 21%
1.4
2013
Arts 12%
Education 29%
FM Area Foundation vision
The of the FM Area Foundation is to be the distinguished foundation of choice for donors in our community, supporting the areas of: • Basic Human Needs • Education • The Arts, Culture and Creativity • Community Building
mission
The of the FM Area Foundation 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
Confirmed in Confirmed inCompliance Compliance with with National National Standards Standardsfor for U.S. CommunityFoundations Foundations U.S. Community 502 First Avenue North, Suite 202 Fargo, ND 58102-4873 701.234.0756 www.areafoundation.org