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Ellendale Area Community Foundation

Make a gift today and make a difference forever in Ellendale!

About the Ellendale Area Community Foundation

The Ellendale Area Community Foundation was established in 1998 by a gift from Frank Larson of Starion Bank. It provides a method of receiving donations and distributing grants to benefit projects or nonprofit organizations in the Ellendale area. The Foundation is affiliated with the North Dakota Community Foundation, which is a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS code 501(c)(3) and North Dakota Law.

The Ellendale Area Community Foundation is managed locally by a group of volunteers whose main activities are building the fund and recommending grants annually. 

Local Advisory Committee

Aaron Tschosik (Chair) 
Monica Mertz
Chad Durheim 
Jeff Glynn
Lana Norton
Lori Young

Contact

Aaron Tschosik, Starion Bank
PO Box 99
Ellendale, ND 58436
(701) 349-3213

 

Kara Geiger
Development Director, NDCF
701-222-8349
Kara@NDCF.net

Annual Reports

2023

Ellendale Opera House has received several grants over the years to support renovations.

Grants Awarded in 2022

  • Ellendale Area Arts Council
    • $2,500 for Concerts in the Park
    • $2,000 for EAAC "Kids Art"
  • Herman-Schlenker Post No 147 American Legion - $5,000 for Ellendale Veteran's Club and Events Center
  • Ellendale Community Ambulance - $2,067 for Ambulance Replacement
  • Ellendale Fire Protection District - $3,500 for a gas monitor
  • Ellendale Historical Society
    • $2,000 for Van Meter Schoolhouse Restoration
    • $1,500 for the 2022 Walk of Fame Bronze Stars & Plaques
  • Ellendale Park Board - $5,800 for picnic tables and benches
  • Ellendale Public Library - $500 for Reading Is Fundamental
  • Kedish House - $2,000 for a safety fence
  • O.P.E.R.A., Inc. - $2,000 for Gallery Exhibits/Entertainment
  • Fullerton Fest - $2,500 for the 2022 Fullerton Fest Music Acts

Grants Awarded in 2021

  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $2,000 for Concerts in the Park
  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $2,000 for EAAC "Kids Art"
  • Ellendale Country Club - $4,000 for Pickleball Court
  • Ellendale Community Ambulance - $5,000 for Ambulance Replacement
  • Ellendale Fire Protection District - $4,000 for Washer Extractor
  • Ellendale Historical Society - $2,000 for Van Meter Schoolhouse Moving/Restoration
  • Ellendale Park Board - $5,741 for Pool Deck Improvements/Additions
  • Ellendale Police Department - $500 for New Office Equipment
  • Ellendale Public Library - $500 for Reading For the Future
  • Kedish House - $700 for Security System Monitor
  • O.P.E.R.A., Inc. - $2,000 for ADA Parking Lot Project
  • Prince of Peace Care Center - $2,000 for Wellness Courtyard

Grants Awarded in 2020

  • Ellendale Community Ambulance - $4,785 for Auto Pulse CPR Device
  • Dickey County Fair Board - $3,000 for Bathroom Update
  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $1,000 Summer Concerts in the Park
  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $1,000 EAAC "Kids Art"
  • Ellendale Fire Protection District - $4,200 for Saw Kit
  • Ellendale Historical Society - $2,000 Van Meter Schoolhouse Foundation
  • Ellendale Park Board - $2,000 for Soccer Program
  • Ellendale Police Dept. - $500 for Updated Armored Vests & Carriers
  • Kedish House - $1,000 for Safety Equipment
  • NDSU Extension Service - $4,000 Archery Building Remodel
  • O.P.E.R.A. Inc - $1,000 Phase 1 Renovation
  • Prince of Peace Care Center - $3,000 Resident Wellness Courtyard

Grants Awarded in 2019

  • Ellendale Community Ambulance - $3,500 Hypothermia Equipment
  • Prince of Peace Care Center - $1,210 to Provide All Easy Access & Care
  • Ellendale American Legion Baseball - $5,000 for Baseball Complex Renovation
  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $1,000 Summer Concerts in the Park
  • Ellendale Area Arts Council - $1,000 Kid's Art
  • Ellendale Park Board - $4,000 Oster Park Bathroom Improvements
  • Ellendale Park Board - $3,000 Creek Clean Up
  • Ellendale Public Library - $1,500 for Growth
  • NDSU Extension Service - $4,000 Archery Range Ceiling, Lighting & Bathroom Remodel
  • O.P.E.R.A. Inc - $1,000 Phase 1 Renovation
  • Trinity Bible College - $600 Washing Machine

Apply for a Grant from the Ellendale Area Community Foundation

Ellendale Area Community Foundation makes grants only to those organizations designated by the IRS code as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax exempt groups or government agencies. Grants to religious organizations are limited to non-religious projects and programs, such as community food pantry or daycare. Grants will not be made to individuals.
 

Any group wishing to apply for a grant must submit a request online (see below). Applications must be received by March 15 each year. The deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee reviews applications in April. If the committee has not notified you by May 1, you will know that your project was not chosen at this time.

In considering a request, the committee will consider:

  • Organization’s management and integrity.
  • Level of local involvement and support.
  • The number of people to be served and the impact of the project on the community.
  • The impact of the grant on the success of the project.
  • The extent to which the project reflects a new approach to a problem.
  • Low priority will be given for daily operational requests.

Priorities:

  • Committee will look at each project on its merits.
  • Low priority will be given to projects supported by government, or which in the committee's opinion, should be funded by taxes.
  • No grants outside a 40 mile radius of Ellendale.
  • Grants will not be concentrated in a single community, except the city of Ellendale will receive a higher consideration because of population as well as being the headquarters for serving other surrounding communities.

Deadline: March 15 --->  Extended to April 14 for 2023 only


How to Apply:

Step 1 - Review

Review the grant guidelines above to make sure your organization qualifies.

Step 2 - Register

Create an account on our Grants Portal. You will need your organization’s name, EIN, and executive officer's name. Be sure to write down your user name (email address) and password.

Step 3 – Complete Your Application

After registering or logging in, you will arrive at the application section. Click “Apply” to the right of the grant program to which you wish to apply. You will be able to save your application and return later to complete it.

Click here for more detailed instructions and tips for using our online grant system.

Plan Your Legacy

Making a lasting difference in our community or for future generations may be easier than you realize.  With very simple language in your will or trust, you can help the Ellendale Area Community Foundation (EACF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to EACF are carefully invested by our partner foundation - the North Dakota Community Foundation - to generate a  permanent source of charitable income.

If you have children or other relatives, you can leave a portion of your estate to them and a percentage to EACF. Doing so provides for your heirs while honoring your charitable values.

 

Brothers Russell and Dale Brown left gifts to the communities of Lisbon and Milnor, ND, in their estate plans.

Getting Started

1.  Download our free Estate Planning Guide - it contains helpful information and things to consider as you develop your own unique plan.

2.  Reach out to an Ellendale Area Community Foundation committee member to learn more about the charities and needs in our area.

3.  Consider discussing (confidentially) your vision with our NDCF gift planner Kara Geiger.  She has many years of experience helping donors create their charitable vision and better prepare for their discussions with financial planners. You can reach Kara at 701-222-8349 or you can email her at Kara@NDCF.net.

4.  Contact your professional advisors (financial planner, attorney and/or accountant) and ask for help in establishing a charitable gift to our foundation.

5.  Make sure your will or living trust is up-to-date and reflects your charitable goals.

6.  Consider notifying the charitable organizations about the gift you plan to leave them.  They will appreciate your generosity and will want to know what you’d like them to do with your eventual gift if it isn't clear.

 

Language for Your Will or Living Trust

Susanne Mattheis wished to support several different charitable organizations in Bismarck after she passed. NDCF helped her craft a plan that accomplished her charitable goals and provided long-term support to the Public Library, Symphony Orchestra, and five other local entities.

If you would like to include the Ellendale Area Community Foundation in your will, here is some sample language to consider:

“I give and bequeath to the North Dakota Community Foundation (Tax ID Number 45-0336015), a qualified charitable organization under IRS 501(c)(3), located in Bismarck, North Dakota, ___________ (a percentage of the estate, specific dollar amount, or remainder of estate) for the Ellendale Area Community Foundation, a permanent component of the North Dakota Community Foundation.”

*  Be sure to contact your legal advisor.

 

There are many other ways to make a deferred gift to your community, including

  • Making NDCF (and your specific community fund) the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, IRA, 401K, or commercial annuity
  • Establishing a Charitable Gift Annuity with NDCF
  • Other more sophisticated tools, depending on your unique situation

To investigate options and learn more about how other North Dakotans have given back, visit our planned giving website at www.NDCF.net/Plan.