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About the Milnor Community Foundation

Russell Brown

Dale Brown

NEXT GRANT ROUND

Established in 2015 through the estates of brothers Russell and Dale Brown, the Milnor Community Foundation is a permanent endowment fund that will support our community for years to come. Earnings from the fund are given as grants to support nonprofit projects or programs in the Milnor area that work to improve our community and quality of life. 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 Milnor Community Foundation is managed locally by a group of volunteers whose main activities are building the fund and recommending grants annually.

The Advisory Committee awards grants two times per year.  Application deadlines are April 1 and October 1 of each year.  Click on "Apply for a Grant"  to be taken to the directions and link to the application.

Local Advisory Committee

Chad Fyre, Advisory Committee Chair
Andrea Hogness, Secretary
Bud Heinert
Lee Hanna
Bobbi Haugen
Kyle Peterson
Mike Schutt

Contact

Milnor Community Foundation
c/o City of Milnor 
PO Box 70
Milnor, ND 58060

 

Email Chad

Amy Stromsodt, Development Director East
North Dakota Community Foundation
701.795.1531

Send Amy an email

Annual Reports

2023

2022

Since the Milnor Community Foundation’s inception in 2018, the Dale L Brown Memorial Fund for Milnor & the Russell F Brown Memorial Fund for Milnor in 2017, over $1 million in 126 grants has been awarded. Recent grant awards are listed below.

FALL 2023 GRANTS

  • BIO Girls: $1,000 Sargent County 2024
  • Milnor Park District: $7,500 to fix pool deck concrete
  • Gibbon Miller Post 9069 VFW: $22,000 Veteran's Hall building fund
  • Lakeview Golf Course: $7,000 clubhouse remodel & added storage
  • Milnor School District:
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​$13,640 for School-based mental health
    • $25,000 Playground Surface
  • The Village Family Service Center: $1,000 School-based mental health therapeutic supplies
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, Inc: $22,000 Daycare addition

SPRING 2023 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor: $12,500 for Main Street sidewalks, curb, gutter and lights
  • Gibbon Miller Post 9069 VFW: $30,000 Veteran's Hall building fund
  • Milnor Recreation/Park Board: $5,000 Summer Baseball Equipment
  • Milnor Scholarship Association: $5,000 2023 Alumni Scholarships
  • Milnor School District: $20,000 Playground Update
  • The House of Everyday Learning: $5,000 Mobile Therapy Unit (MTU)/Therapy on the Go!
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, Inc.: $25,000 Installment #2 for Daycare Addition 

FALL 2022 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor:
    • $25,000 Main Street Sidewalks, Curb, Gutter & Lighting
    • $10,000 for Milnor Playground Project
  • Milnor School District:  $15,000 for School-based Mental Health
  • Milnor Area Community Center Inc:  $14,700 for a heat pump replacement and lighting upgrade
  • Milnor Park Board: 
    • $18,000 for a new storage shed
    • $4,000 for baseball field agri-lime
    • $2,500 for the concession stand floor
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, Inc.: $25,000 for a Daycare Addition

SPRING 2022 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor:
    • $25,000 Main Street Sidewalks, Curb, Gutter & Lighting
    • $1,500 for Yesteryear Project
  • Milnor School District:  20,000 for Playground Update
  • Lakeview Golf Course Association:  $16,845 for landscaping and tables
  • Milnor Scholarship Association:  $8,000 for 2022 MHS Senior Scholarships
  • The House of Everyday Learning:  $7,200 for a Mobile Therapy Unit (MTU)/Therapy on the Go!
  • Milnor Park District: $4,925 for Art In The Park and Baseball Program
  • Milnor Merchants Club: $1,400 Main Street Flowers

FALL 2021 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor - $8,800 Playground Project
  • City of Milnor - $25,000 Main Street Sidewalks, Curb, Gutter & Lights
  • Milnor School District - $10,000 School Based Mental Health
  • Milnor School District - $1,700 Lego League

SPRING 2021 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor - $25,000 Main Street Sidewalks, Curb, Gutter & Lighting
  • Lakeview Golf Course Assoc. - $10,500 Building Improvements & Freezers
  • Milnor Recreation Board - $7,500 Park Concession Stand Updates
  • Milnor School District - $5,400 STEAM Equipment
  • City of Milnor - $4,000 Pocket Park
  • Milnor Park District - $1,200 Art In The Park
  • Milnor Park District - $3,250 Summer Baseball Program
  • Great Plains Food Bank - $1,000 Mobile Food Pantry
  • Milnor Merchants Club - $1,200 Main Street Flowers
  • Milnor Scholarship Assoc. - $10,000 Milnor Scholarships
  • Milnor School District - $20,000 Playground Update

FALL 2020 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor - $25,000 for Mainstreet sidewalks, curbs, gutter and lights project
  • City of Milnor Park District - $6,100 to purchase a new lawn mower and swimming pool heater
  • Lakeview Golf Course Association - $8,800 for building exterior improvements and creation of a tree farm
  • Milnor Area Community Center - $16,500 to replace heat pumps and new tarps to protect flooring
  • Milnor Recreation Board/Milnor Park Board - $12,500 for Park Concession Stand expansion
  • Milnor Public School District - $7,500 to support school based mental health services
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, INC - $5,125 for a new mural on Main Street
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, INC - $15,280 for Y.O.U. Facility/childcare renovations to accommodate growth in the program

SPRING 2020 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor - $19,000 to purchase Benches and waste receptacles for Main Street
  • City of Milnor - $25,000 toward sidewalk, curb, gutter and lights project for Main Street
  • City of Milnor Park District - $3,830 toward 2020 Summer Baseball
  • City of Milnor Park District - $1,200 to sponsor Art in the Park
  • Lakeview Golf Course Assoc. - $7,500 for Bridge Safety repairs
  • Milnor Fire Department - $2,000 to purchase air lines for servicing fire trucks
  • Milnor Merchants - $1,650 to purchase and maintain flowers on Main Street
  • Milnor Scholarship Assoc - $7,500 for scholarships for graduating seniors
  • Milnor Public School District - $20,000 toward ongoing Playground Improvement project
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, INC. - $2,750 to support summer theater

FALL 2019 GRANTS

  • Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids, Inc. - $250 in support for Engaging All Learners
  • City of Milnor - $2,500 toward a Wildlife Observation Deck next to Storm Lake
  • City of Milnor - $5,500 to purchase a Lift Station Backup Power Source
  • Lakeview Golf Course Association - $15,000 for heating and cooling efficiency and bridge repairs
  • Milnor Area Community Center Incl - $11,175 for handicap accessible and automatic locking front doors
  • Milnor Community Housing, Inc. - $2,560 to replace flooring in 2 units, entryway and hallway
  • Milnor Fire Department - $14,700 to purchase a Milnor Fire Department sign for new building
  • Milnor Satellite Club - $4,864 to purchase a new ice cream machine
  • Milnor School District - $7,500 for school based Mental Health Services
  • Milnor School District - $6,829 for entertainment during all school reunion in 2020
  • Youth Opportunity Unlimited, Inc - $17,167 for improvements to the Daycare Facility

SPRING 2019 GRANTS

  • City of Milnor - $25,000 for lighting, sidewalks, curbs and gutters on Main Street
  • City of Milnor - $3,000 to construct a Wildlife Observation Deck next to Storm Lake
  • City of Milnor Park District - $1,200 to support Art in the Park summer program
  • City of Milnor Park District - $2,950 to purchase new baseball uniforms and equipment
  • Lakeview Golf Course Association - $8,000 toward a new furnace and duct work at the clubhouse
  • Milnor Fire Department - $5,550 to purchase a new air compressor and pressure washer
  • Milnor Merchants Club - $1,100 to purchase flowers for Main Street beautification
  • Milnor Scholarship Association - $6,000 for scholarships to graduating seniors
  • Milnor School District - $20,000 toward new playground equipment 
  • Milnor School District - $1,500 to support the Lego League Milnor Robotics Team
  • The FBLA Keg - $16,000 to purchase a new Ice Cream Machine

Apply for a Grant from the Milnor Community Foundation

Guidelines

  • Grants shall be awarded to organizations that serve the community of Milnor and the Milnor School District
  • Low Priority will be given to grants requesting funds for day-to-day operations
  • Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community
  • To be considered for the current grant round, organizations must submit a completed application which contains all information requested.
  • The Advisory Committee will hold two grant rounds annually.  Applications must be received by April 1st of each year for the first grant round and October 1st for the second round.  Late applications will not be considered for the current round.

In funding decisions, the committee will consider the following:

  • Organizational management and integrity
  • Level of local involvement and support
  • The number of people to be served
  • The impact of the grant on the success of the project

Application Deadlines: April 1 and October 1


New for 2019 and Beyond:

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)

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 Milnor Community Foundation (MCF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.

Gifts to the MCF 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 MCF. 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 a Milnor 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 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 Milnor 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 Milnor 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.