OVERVIEW: The FM Area Foundation supports arts and culture, basic human needs, community building, education in North Dakota and Minnesota.
FUNDING AREAS: Arts and culture, basic human needs, community building, education
IP TAKE: This is an accessible regional grantmaker that encourages nonprofits to contact its staff to discuss project ideas prior to submitting application forms.
PROFILE: Established in 1960, the FM Area Foundation is a community foundation based in Fargo, North Dakota. This funder currently administers over 300 funds for the local community. The foundation aims to “enrich our community by building partnerships, promoting philanthropy, and serving as a trusted resource now and for future generations.” It funds local efforts for arts and culture, basic human needs, community building, and education.
The FM Area Foundation supports arts and culture organizations that range from festivals to opera, public art, and more. Basic needs grants address poverty in the Fargo-Moorhead area and focus on homelessness, affordable childcare, mental health, food, and rural communities. Community building grants have funded housing projects, veterinary care, and other local challenges. Education grants fund learning opportunities for students with special needs, out-of-school activities, and efforts to reach at-risk youth. Overall, the foundation only provides single-year grants.
Grants range between about $500 and $15,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Cass County, North Dakota and Clay County, Minnesota. Past local grantees include the FM Opera Company, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, Haley's Hope, and the Red River Valley Asperger-Autism Network.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits with an online application system. It also encourages nonprofits to reach out to a foundation program officer to discuss a specific request or project. Direct general questions to the staff at 701-234-0756 or via online form.
PEOPLE:
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