The Finley Community Endowment Fund, established in 2002, is a permanent endowment dedicated to supporting charitable programs within the Finley, ND area. Managed by the North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the fund's mission is to ensure long-term support for the local community. The fund aligns with the NDCF's broader objective of providing professional management for charitable funds, allowing gifts to be tax-deductible to the fullest extent of state and federal law. This structure ensures sustainability and broad impact for years to come.
The fund primarily targets organizations designated as 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt groups or public tax-exempt organizations serving the Finley area. While the fund supports a wide range of charitable programs, a higher consideration is given to projects within the city of Finley due to its population. The impact goals are centered on strengthening the community through various initiatives, with a focus on projects that reflect new approaches to problems and demonstrate strong local involvement and support. The fund aims to serve a significant number of people and ensure a measurable positive impact on the community.
Priorities for funding include projects with strong merit, and the board will consider each application individually. Low priority is given to projects that could be supported by government funding or taxes, and no grants are provided to individuals. Grants are also not concentrated in a single community, with the exception of the city of Finley. The fund does not support daily operational requests, indicating a strategic focus on specific projects and initiatives that will lead to tangible outcomes.
Expected outcomes include enhanced community well-being, successful implementation of new and innovative projects, and a sustained positive impact on the residents of Finley and the surrounding areas. The board evaluates an organization’s management and integrity, the level of local involvement and support, the number of people served, and the overall impact of the project and the grant on its success. The foundation's strategic priorities are to foster community development, encourage local initiative, and ensure that their grants contribute to lasting change. The theory of change is rooted in the belief that by investing in well-managed, community-supported projects that address local needs, they can cultivate a thriving and resilient Finley community.
