Connecting

Annual Report2013

FM Area Foundation

Community Foundations of North Dakota

The Bush Foundation awarded the FM Area

Foundation a $100,000 grant to support a

statewide media campaign focused on the

ND Charitable Income Tax Credit. The goal

was to increase philanthropy in North Dakota

through increased awareness.

Working in collaboration with the other four

community foundations across North Dakota,

the FM Area Foundation hired a marketing

firm to develop a plan to increase awareness

of both the concept of endowment and the

ND Charitable Income Tax Credit. The plan

focused on the broad distribution of brochures, a website, social media, newspaper ads and radio commercials.

Although the state has not yet released the tax credit information, the campaign was a success on several levels. One important

and unplanned outcome was the creation of the Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, based in Valley City. A second new

community foundation is in development in the Williston area. The FM Area Foundation staff has been assisting in their development.

The community foundations of North Dakota plan to hold a second annual networking meeting Summer, 2014.

COLLABORATE

In May, 2013, many of those founding mothers and donors

celebrated reaching that goal at the third annual Breakfast

for Women and Children. The Women’s Fund is led by a dedicated committee of the

Foundation’s Board of Directors, and it continues to grow in size

and in its grant-making capacity. The new committee structure

aligns with the strategic initiatives of the Foundation as the

Women’s Fund sets its sites on its next goal.

The Women’s Fund, founded in 2000, had a goal. To raise

$1 million dollars in an endowed fund that would support

women and children in the FM area forever. Research

ensued and three priorities prevailed:

•Children in need of care •The economic well-being of women and their families •Opportunities for women in leadership Over 13 years, through a grassroots movement, 600 women

and men made gifts to the Fund that propelled it to its goal.

The Women’s Fund - $1 Million Strong!

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Foundation Expands Little Free Library MovementReading can provide hours of joyful education, escape and entertainment,

yet not everyone has access to books. The Foundation set out to help

change that last summer and in partnership with TEDxFargo 2013,

sponsored a Little Free Library workshop conducted by co-founder Todd Bol.

Bol was one of several TEDxFargo speakers.

Foundation donor representatives of Dacotah Paper – Mohr Family Fund and

the Francis and Janet Beaton Memorial Fund provided support to create and

place four Little Free Libraries within the community. Both adults and children

participated in a Chamber ribbon cutting at a Little Free Library installation at

the Nokomis Child Care Center in Fargo.

The Little Free Library movement

promotes literacy, love of reading and

builds community. The concept is simple,

take a book, leave a book.

The Noel and Judith Fedje Charitable Fund that sponsors the successful Read to Lead program

at Madison Elementary in Fargo, committed funds for a library to be placed on the Madison

playground and three others in the community.

This spring an open house at the Fargo Public Library featured NDSU Architectural students

Little Free Library design competition. Ten libraries were built and put on display. After the

competition, The United Way filled each library with books and they were placed throughout

CassandClayCounties.Lookaround,youmightjustfindoneinyourneighborhood!

“Take a Book. Leave a Book.”

“Take a Book. Leave a Book.”

The Making of Better CommunitiesThe work of the Foundation crosses multiple

sectors of our community. From assisting donors

with establishing funds that support their

charitable interests, to partnering with financial

planners, to linking nonprofits together to work

toward a common cause. We create

connections that make our community better.

In 2013 we increased our focus on the nonprofit

sector. Weekly Thursday Briefs covered topics that

influence nonprofit operations and communications.

Discussions spanned from social media to board

management to grant writing to understanding

the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit.

We also served as fiscal sponsors for emerging

nonprofits and short-term community projects.

The Foundation lends its tax-exempt status to

organizations not yet recognized by the IRS as

tax exempt, so they can temporarily operate as

a charity. We sponsored six organizations and

projects in 2013:

•TheWestFargoAreaOrganization

•TheWestFargoScholarshipFund

•TheStephanieGoetzMentalWellnessInitiative

•NDConnectedPuzzles

•PrairieRootsFoodCooperative

•TheFargoProject

A new full time development officer now allows the Foundation to

better serve nonprofit organizations seeking to create or expand

their endowment funds.

We are pleased to help strengthen both the nonprofit sector

and community initiatives in this manner.

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FMABIZGIVES

Benefits 78 Charities

2013 The Foundation ... CONNECTING in the Community

Donor andFoundation Friends Cruise Lake Pelican

Madison Elementary Students Celebrate

Read to Lead Success at

Chahinkapa Zoo

From new scholarship funds to support employee education,

to pass-through funds supporting fraternity and sorority projects,

to donor advised funds where the special interests of a

family or individual are supported, the FM Area Foundation

connected to make this community a stronger, more vibrant

place now and forever.

“ The key to getting things done is connecting people . Often the right people are already in place, they just need to focus on the greater good to be energized, utilized and encouraged to work together.”

Miles Atkins

TedxFargoGeneratesInterestin

Little FreeLibrary Movement

17New FoundationFunds Created

Madison Elementary Students Celebrate

Read to Lead Success at

Chahinkapa Zoo

TedxFargoGeneratesInterestin

Little FreeLibrary Movement

Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting for Little Free Library at

Nokomis Child Care Center

425GrantsAwardedTotaling $1,167,502

17New FoundationFunds Created

$216,200Awarded in

146 Scholarships

“The true meaning of life

is to plant trees,

under whose shade

you do not expect to sit.”

Nelson Henderson

Tim BeatonExecutive Director

Foundation Staff Left to Right:

Patty Mastel, CPA Finance Director

Sheila Harris Development Officer

Tim Beaton, JD Executive Director

Lexi Oestreich Administrative Assistant

Cher Hersrud Program Officer

CONNECTIONSThere’s a fine line between fishing and just standing

on the shore. That line is a connection, and without it,

nothing happens. In this annual report, we outline a

few ways we connect with our community.

In late 2012, we connected with four community foundations in the state to

promote philanthropy. The long term result will be more endowments that

serve the needs of North Dakota communities, forever.

Connections with financial advisors and service clubs in the FM area

resulted in establishing new funds, new scholarships and new nonprofits.

TheFoundationisconnectingwiththeUnitedWay,theGreaterFargo

Moorhead Area Economic Development Corporation and The Chamber

to engage in a comprehensive workforce study that will serve as a

roadmap for healthy community growth.

Connection is at the core of everything we do. We welcome new

opportunities to connect in ways that help serve, grow and lift up

the FM area. We aren’t just standing on the shore; we are connecting.

Thank you to our Board of Directors, donors and community members

who continue to improve our community. We are grateful for your

partnership and ongoing support.

Neil Jordheim, Trustee Representative

“I grew up watching my parents serve their community and believe it is the right thing to do.”

Kate Haugen, Vice Chair

“I respect education and the arts for the health of our community, and FMAF provides invaluable ongoing support in those areas.”

Corey Elmer, Secretary

“The Foundation makes a real difference in our community and the lives of our residents, making it even better.”

Dorwin Marquardt, Treasurer

“I am pleased to be part of an organization that helps people realize their charitable intentions.”

Joan Justesen, Chair

“This Foundation collaborates in bringing organizations together for the good of the community.”

Laine Brantner

“It is an honor to be a part of an organization whose mission is to invest in our community to make it a better place .”

Thomas Jefferson

“I enjoy being part of an organization that collaborates to make our community stronger.”

Bruce Furness

“I want to assure that organizations assisting people in need have funding assistance forever.”

Tom Dawson

“The FM Area Foundation board allows me to truly make a difference to the community.”

Dr. Joel Jorgenson

“To participate in unselfish giving and inspired leadership, addressing the needs of today and tomorrow.”

Tom Schaffer

“Our family has had a nice life here, and serving on this board allows me to give back to this community.”

Carol Schlossman

“To give voice to those facing challenge, and create a more vibrant community.”

Morrie Lanning

“Serving on the Foundation board enables me to support efforts to strengthen our community.”

Matthew Mohr

“The Foundation provides me the opportunity to learn about our community while honoring my family heritage .”

2013-2014 Board of Directors

Con

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Fund Supports Fast GrowingTeam SportLacrosse, considered

to be America’s first

sport, was born of

the North American

Indian. The sport of

lacrosse is a combination of basketball, soccer and hockey.

Today lacrosse is the fastest growing team sport across the

country, at all age levels. The NDSU Men’s Bison Lacrosse

clubisnotanofficialNDSUvarsitysport,butifyouaskthe

coach and players, it will be soon. “Here in the FM area,

lacrosse would grow even faster if we could find enough

coaches!“ says a local lacrosse enthusiast.

The Bison lacrosse team survives on team fundraising

activities and a small student activity stipend. This year,

motivated by the ND Charitable Income Tax Credit,

one family established a designated fund to support

the team forever. Other lacrosse fans and interested donors

are invited to contribute to the fund which sends a strong

message…Lacrosse is here to stay. Go Bison Men’s Lacrosse!

FMABIZGIVES Everyone Wins

During a panel discussion on philanthropy, Sandra

Roers, of Roers Inc. and Brian Hayer of Warner

and Co. had the same concerns. How does a

business find a year-end gift that suits everyone? Food,

pens, candy and nuts all have inherent problems. They

had made gifts to charity “in honor” of their colleagues

and clients, but the tangible gift to their recipients was lost.

What they wanted was a gift that was fun to give, receive

and does good for the community.

ThisconversationspawnedtheFMABIZGIVESCharitableGiving

Card. Businesses “purchase” gift cards by making a charitable

donation to the

Foundation, and

the recipients

“redeem” them

online by going

to our website

and selecting

their favorite

charity from a

list of over 300.

The business

receives a tax deduction, the recipients support their favorite

charity, and the charity receives extra funding. Everyone wins!

Both Roers and Hayer piloted the program in 2013. It is safe

to say the program was a hit. In the words of one recipient,

“It’s the best gift we received all season, no guilt all love!”

FMABIZGIVES

The Foundation ... CONNECTINGin the Community

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

1.4 2.5 1.8 2.4 1.4

Total Grants Paidin millions, unaudited

Total Gifts Receivedin millions, unaudited

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

1.8

3.5 3.42.7

5.2

2013 Composition of Assetsin millions, unaudited

Unrestricted - 5.5

Scholarship - 8.2

Agency - 2.4

Field of Interest - 6.2

Designated - 17.0

Support Organizations - 0.5

Donor Advised - 26.0

HumanServices29%

Education29%

Health5% Youth

4%

Arts12%

Civic 21%

2013 Grants Distributed

The vision of the FM Area Foundation is to be the distinguished foundation of choice for donors in our community, supporting the areas of:

• BasicHumanNeeds• Education•TheArts,CultureandCreativity• CommunityBuilding

FM Area Foundation

The missionof the FM Area Foundation is to enrich thequalityoflifeofthepeopleofthisarea by:

• Encouragingphilanthropy• Assessingandrespondingto community needs• Providingflexibilityfordonors with variedinterestsandgivingcapacities• Servingasaresourceanda catalyst for other organizations

502FirstAvenueNorth,Suite202Fargo,ND58102-4873701.234.0756 www.areafoundation.org

Confirmed in Compliancewith National Standards forU.S. Community Foundations

Confirmed in Compliancewith National Standards forU.S. Community Foundations