
- About
- Grant History
- Apply for a Grant
- Leave a Legacy

About the Stanley Area Community Foundation
The Stanley Area Community Foundation was established in 2008 by a group of residents concerned about the lack of funding for local organizations. It provides a method of receiving donations and distributing grants to benefit projects or nonprofit organizations in the Stanley 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 Stanley Area Community Foundation is managed locally by a group of volunteers whose main activities are building the fund and recommending grants annually.
HELPING US BUILD THE FUND: In order for the fund to have a bigger impact in the community, we invite those in the region to make some sort of a gift. Please refer to the "other information" tab for a report and brochure to find out more. Or please call one of us on the committee. We would be happy to answer any questions.
Local Advisory Committee
Wayne E. Johnson
Dan Lindberg
Jenny Gaaskjolen (Chair)
Abbey Ruland
Ashley Skarsgard
Mark Longmuir
Melissa Bristol
Ambassadors: Past committee members who have been vital in establishing and growing the foundation for the community.
Doug Kinnoin
Grace Lystad
Daniel Lindberg
Ray Schepp
Don Longmuir
Contact
Stanley Area Community Foundation
C/O Jenny Gaaskjolen
PO Box 251
Stanley, ND 58784
or contact John Heinen at the North Dakota Community Foundation john@gmail.com or (701) 590-4614
Please find attached various materials which you can download for your own or to pass along to a family member or friend. Help get the word out about the fund, helps the fund grow and serve the community in a bigger way. Any questions please refer to the contact page to contact a committee member. Thank you!
ANNUAL REPORTS
PAST AND PRESENT NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
Please click on the links below to view a copy of articles regarding the foundation.

2013 grant recpients
The Stanley Area Community Foundation has awarded over $486,000 in 87 grants since its inception in 2008. Recent grant awards are listed below.
Grants Awarded in 2022
- Van Hook Association: $30,000 for a Van Hook picnic shelter and multi-purpose building
- Stanley Wrestling Club: $23,000 for a wrestling mat
- Blue Jay Boosters - $15,000 Will Athletic Complex Track Equipment/Track
- Stanley Parks & Recreation - $10,000 Stanley Outdoor Pool and Splash Pad project
- Stanley High School FFA - $1,494 for a Calf Simulator
Grants Awarded in 2021
- Mountrail County Aquatic Foundation - $8,500 Metasys User Interface Upgrade
- Stanley Parks & Recreation - $45,000 Ray Rude Outdoor Pool/Splash Pad Renovation
- Blue Jay Boosters - $15,000 Will Athletic Complex
Grants Awarded in 2020
- Mountrail County Medical Center - $10,300 Chemotherapy & Infusion Treatment Room
- Prairie Rose Golf Course - $18,606 Club House Project
- Stanley Area Cares for Kids - $1,500 Program Support
- Stanley Community Public Schools - $7,000 Playground
- Stanley Parks & Recreation - $5,000 Ray Rude Pool Renovation
- Stanley Wrestling Club - $3,575 Youth Gear
- Stanley Parks & Recreation - $15,000 Blue Jay Boosters
Grants Awarded in 2019
- Domestic Violence Program - $915 Prevention & Awareness
- Mountrail Community Food Pantry - $2,545 New Shelves
- Mountrail County Health Foundation - $7,000 Dare to Define YOU Youth Leadership Program
- Stanley Community Schools - $35,000 Will Athletic Complex Renovation
- Stanley High School FFA - $6,500 Virtual Welder
- The Sibyl Center for Life Enrichment - $1,000 Children's Art Experiences
- Van Hook Association - $5,000 Pickleball Court
ONLINE GRANT APPLICATION AUGUST 25th - SEPT 30th
For Immediate Release
STANLEY, ND . . . The Stanley community foundation advisory committee has over $61,000 to give to area organizations. Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, or government agencies or have a fiscal sponsor.
Apply ONLINE using the APPLY BUTTON on this page
Last year’s projects grant for were: recipients were: Mountrail Health: Assisted Living, Opportunity Foundation; Autism Services, S.A.C.K program, Stanley High School Drama Program, and Speech team Program, Sibyl Center Children’s Theatre, Flickertail, roofing. All program helping enrich our community.
The Stanley foundation is a permanent endowment, from which yearly earnings go back into the community through a dedicated committee of local residents. Thank you to those of you who last year added many new gifts and helped grow the fund to over $1,8 million! You are helping us get a step closer to funding our communities priority projects!
Have Questions or need more information? Contact Doug Kinnoin -- 701-628-1366, Jenny Gaaskjolen 605-381-9983, Grace Lystad (701) 313-0011 or email the committee stanleyfoundation@ndcf.net.
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 Grant 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.
- Grants shall be awarded only to those organizations designated by the IRS Code as 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt groups, or government agencies.
- Grants shall be awarded to organizations within Stanley and surrounding communities, as determined by the Advisory Committee.
- Grants to religious organizations will be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community.
- Applications shall be due September 25 of each year. The deadline may be extended at the discretion of the Advisory Committee.
Funding Priorities
High Priority
- Projects or programs that benefit a greater number of residents
- Requests that demonstrate applicant will seek or has secured other funding sources
Low Priority
- Requests for operating funds or day-to-day expenses
- Requests for multiple-year funding
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 Stanley Area Community Foundation (SACF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.
Gifts to SACF 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 SACF. Doing so provides for your heirs while honoring your charitable values.
Getting Started

Brothers Russell and Dale Brown left gifts to the communities of Lisbon and Milnor, ND, in their estate plans.
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 Stanley 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 John Heinen. He has many years of experience helping donors create their charitable vision and better prepare for their discussions with financial planners. John's cell is 701-590-4614 or you can email him at John@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 Stanley 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 Stanley 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.