West Central Initiative awarded grants totaling more than $112,000 from three of its Endowment Funds to organizations serving the Fergus Falls, Perham, and Dent communities.
“Deloris Barnack Kenner, Floyd and Harriet Miller, and Inga M. Johnson established Endowment Funds with West Central Initiative to create lasting impacts by supporting their favorite causes and organizations in our region,” said Rebecca Lynn Petersen, Director of Development. “They determined how West Central Initiative would direct their Endowment Funds by identifying giving criteria. We then seek and grant to causes that fit those criteria. The Endowment Fund program is a charitable giving vehicle for organizations, families, or individuals.”
West Central Initiative awards grants from Endowment Funds in two ways. West Central Initiative can use the identified giving criteria to distribute the funds or an individual can directly choose which causes to fund—both ways of giving have tax benefits and leave lasting impacts in our region.
“I remind people all of the time that anyone can be a philanthropist,” said Petersen. “A philanthropist is anyone who donates their time or resources to a charitable cause. It’s all about generosity—and giving in a way that is right for you.”
Funds and Benefactors
Deloris Barnack Kenner Fund: Kenner grew up and went to school in the Perham area. She continued her education and enjoyed a 50-year career as a nurse. Her funds benefit Perham-Dent area teachers or education-related projects in the communities. Grantees are:
- BIO Girls, Inc. for the 2023 Perham program.
- Boys and Girls Club of the Perham Area for interest-driven club groups.
- Empowering Kids Perham for the Autism Gardening program.
- Perham Public Schools for new classroom supplies and student scholarships.
- St. Henry’s Area School for general operating support.
- St. Paul’s Lutheran Church & School for general operating support.
- Roots and Wings Forest School for general operating support.
- United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties for Stuff the Bus.
Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund: Reverend Floyd and Harriet Miller wished to leave a lasting impact in the Fergus Falls community for the kindness they received during their lifetimes. Funds benefit nonprofit organizations in the Fergus Falls area and the St. James Episcopal Church. Grantees are:
- Action Ministries, Inc. for the Blessing Closet.
- BIO Girls, Inc. for the 2023 Fergus Falls program.
- Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA for membership and programming scholarships.
- Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council for the Destination Fergus Falls Passport.
- Fergus Falls Public Library for Extra Reading at the Library (ERL) to provide summer tutoring for students.
- Fergus Falls Salvation Army for Lunch in the Son, a weekly meal program.
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy for Theatre for All to Enjoy.
- Humane Society of Otter Tail County for shelter animal veterinary care.
- I-94 BMX Inc. for the starting gate racing hill.
- Someplace Safe Parenting Time Center – Fergus Falls for outdoor furniture and equipment.
- Soul Purpose dba – Matthew House for Building for the Future.
- St. James Episcopal Church for general operating maintenance.
- United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties for Prescription for Reading.
- Welcome House for Open the Door to Recovery.
- Young Life, Prairie Lake Region for leadership and discipleship development for adult volunteers and student leaders.
Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund: Johnson was actively involved with her community and was philanthropic throughout her lifetime. Her wish was that this fund be used to improve the quality of life in and around Fergus Falls with donations that invest in the community’s educational, scientific, literary, and religious needs. Grantees are:
- A Place to Belong (AP2B) for mental health in rural Minnesota.
- The Connection/OTC Foster Closet for general operating maintenance.
- City of Fergus Falls Parks, Recreation, & Forestry for financial support for recreation programs.
- Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity for the 1340 Lenore Way home build.
- Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA for summer day camp support.
- Fergus Area College Foundation for the Spartan Alumni Hunt.
- Fergus Falls Center for the Arts, Inc. for the Community Youth Day at the Kirkbride.
- Fergus Falls Farmers Market for Provide Power of Produce programming for kids and seniors.
- Fergus Falls Police Department for Shop with a Hero.
- Fergus Falls Rotary Foundation for Bikes for Kids.
- Friends of the Fergus Falls Public Library for litter clean-up kits.
- Friends of the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Inc. for an ADA sidewalk to a vault toilet.
- Hillcrest Lutheran Academy for art room supplies and new library books.
- Humane Society of Otter Tail County for its food pantry.
- J.A.I.L, Inc. for Hope to the Incarcerated.
- Kaddatz Galleries for community art tables.
- Kennedy High School FIRST FRC Robotics Team 3293 for the OtterBots FIRST FRC Robotics Competition.
- Lakeland Mental Health Center for fun, food, and learning.
- Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) for the Citizen’s Climate Lobby for Earth Day 2024.
- Oak Grove Cemetery of Fergus Falls for the cemetery expansion.
- Otter Cove Children’s Museum LL for the Let’s Build! Change it Up Room Rotating Exhibit.
- Otter Tail Nordic Ski Association (OTNSA) for adult beginner ski equipment.
- Our Lady of Victory for the summer tutoring program.
- Pedal Fergus Falls for the Fergus Falls Bicycle Playground.
- Someplace Safe Parenting Time Center – Fergus Falls for outdoor furniture and equipment.
- Springboard for the Arts for the Sustainability Studios Youth Camp.
- United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties for the Imagination Library.
- West Ottertail 4-H Dog Program for the 4-H Dog Project.
- West Otter Tail County Friends of the Fair for fair food and demonstrations.
