Westhope Area Community Foundation
- About
- Grant History
- Apply for a Grant
- Leave a Legacy
The Westhope Area Community Foundation was established in 1996 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 Westhope 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 Westhope 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
We currently have openings for volunteer Advisory Committee Members! If you're interested in helping Westhope build a permanent financial resource to support community projects and nonprofit organizations, please contact Kara Geiger at the North Dakota Community Foundation.
Contact
Kara Geiger
Development Director, NDCF
701-222-8349
The Westhope Area Community Foundation has awarded over $14,500 in 11 grants since its inception in 1996. Recent grant awards are listed below.
Grants Awarded in 2022
- Westhope Rural Fire Protection District: $1,450 for turnout gear project
- Marketplace of Ideas/Marketplace for Kids: $1,450 for Bottineau Education Day
Grant Awarded 2020: Westhope Economic Development - $2,600 for Community Cares COVID-19 Support
Guidelines and Procedures
- 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 Westhope and surrounding communities, as determined by the Advisory Committee.
- Grants to religious organizations shall be limited to those activities which are non-denominational and serve the entire community.
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
Deadline: October 1
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. 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.
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 Westhope Area Community Foundation (WACF) continue to support important projects and programs in our area forever.
Gifts to WACF 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 WACF. 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 Westhope 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 Westhope 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 Westhope 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.
