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Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund

About the Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund

The Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund was established in 2014 by a group of area residents who wanted to support and improve the quality of life in the Enderlin area. It is a permanent endowment fund that will support the communities of Enderlin, Sheldon, Alice, and Nome. Earnings from the fund will be given as grants to support nonprofit projects or programs that work to improve our communities and quality of life. The North Dakota Community Foundation, a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under IRS code 501(c)(3) and North Dakota law, provides professional management for the fund. Gifts to the fund are tax deductible to the fullest extent of state and federal law.

The Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund is a local group of volunteers whose main activities are building the fund and recommending grants annually. 

Local Advisory Committee

Tracy Ekeren, Chair
Nancy Farnham
Deb Gillund
Dr. Maggie Peterson
Dean Torbenson
Candy Lund
Brenan Bartholomay
Heather Cavett
Annell Alger
Daryn Christl
Chris Armbrust

Contact

Tracy Ekeren
c/o Bank North
324 Railway St/PO Box 115
Enderlin, ND 58027

701-793-2679

tracyekeren@yahoo.com

Annual Reports

2023

2022

The Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund has awarded over $27,000 in 24 grants since its inception in 2014. Recent grant awards are listed below.

Grants Awarded in 2023

  • Enderlin Historical Society and Museum, Inc - $3,000 installation of an elevator and annex to Museum
  • SMP Health (Maryhill) - $3,790 West Tub Room, new tub for resident's bathing
  • United Prairie Foundation - $500 Leafy Spurge Beetle Program 

Grants Awarded in 2022

  • United Prairie Foundation/Sheyenne Braves - $2,600 for a new commercial oven for their community center
  • Enderlin Historical Society and Museum - $1,000 for display expenses and flooring
  • Nome Schoolhouse:  $889 for an Animal Education Center
  • Enderlin Rural Fire Protection District:  $889 for the Sheldon Fire Hall/Community Center
  • Enderlin Municipal Library:  $600 for their After-School STEM Club

Grants Awarded in 2021

  • Maryhill Manor - $2,581.10 for Bladder Scanner
  • Nome Schoolhouse - $2,581.10 for Program Support

Grants Awarded in 2020

  • Enderlin Rural Fire Protection - $2,469 for PPE/Supplies/Training Expenses Related to COVID-19
  • Happy Trails Child Care - $1,000 for COVID-19 Payroll Relief
  • Happy Trails Child Care - $1,469 Toward Purchase of Residence

Grants Awarded in 2019

  • City of Enderlin - $1,225 toward All Hands on Deck Phase II, Swimming Pool Project
  • Enderlin historical Society & Museum - $375 for Technology Upgrades
  • Enderlin Lions - $976.62 to Purchase Tent/Shelter for Community Events
  • Happy Trails Child Care - $725 toward New Facility
  • Maryhill Manor - $1,225 toward Purchase of a New Whirlpool Bathing Tub

How to Apply for a Grant from the Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund

Grant Guidelines

Organizations applying for grants from the Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund must meet the following guidelines:

  • Grants shall be awarded to organizations recognized under IRS Code 501(c)3; those with an official relationship to local government (ie school, park district, city); or those who have an official fiscal sponsor with one of these designations
  • Grants shall be awarded to organizations that serve the communities of Enderlin, Sheldon, Alice or Nome
  • Organizations will be limited to one application per year
  • Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community
  • Applications must be received by April 15 of each year.  

Other Granting Considerations

Advisory Committee Members will look at the following factors when making granting decisions:

  • The impact of the grant on the success of the project
  • The number of people who will benefit from the project/number of people served
  • Organizational management and integrity
  • Level of local involvement and support

Deadline: April 15


How to Apply:

We made it easy for you to apply online for a grant!

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. If you do not see your desired grant program on the list, contact our office. 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. (PDF)

Other Funds Administered by NDCF in the Enderlin area

Sheldon Mizpah Masonic Lodge ScholarshipThe scholarship will assist a graduating senior residing in the original Sheldon School District as of June, 2007. Preference will be given to a student who is in the top 25% of the graduating class.

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 Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund (EACEF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to the EACEF 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 the EACEF. 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 Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund committee member to learn more about the charities and needs in our area.

3.  Consider discussing (confidentially) your vision with our NDCF gift planner Amy Stromsodt.  She has many years of experience helping donors create their charitable vision and better prepare for their discussions with financial planners. Amy's cell is 701-741-3193 or you can email her at Amy@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 Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund 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 Enderlin Area Community Endowment Fund, 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.