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This section offers answers to frequently asked questions about the Foundation, grant application procedures, Foundation programs and grantmaking, and other issues related to the mission of Dakota Medical Foundation.
How did Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF) get its start?
Dakota Medical Foundation was founded in 1960 to promote research, education and charity, and to maintain and operate Dakota Hospital in Fargo, N.D. In 1998, the Foundation completed its sale of the hospital, fully transforming its operations to a grantmaking entity. As a result, DMF is no longer affiliated with a hospital, but is an independent grantmaking organization that invests in projects designed to improve health and healthcare access.
I’ve heard good things about your Foundation. How can I make a tax-deductible donation or provide dollars for a specific health purpose?
We are a tax-exempt, public charity that allows people to support health-related community needs through direct giving, establishing donor advised funds, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, and scholarships. The Foundation has many health-related programs to support including diabetes initiative, women's heart health initiative, scholarships for medical students, and matching grant programs. For additional information on charitable giving to DMF, please see the Donor Opportunities section of our website or contact Jennifer Thompson, director of development.
E-mail: jenniferthompson@dakmed.org
Phone: 701-356-2655
Toll free: 877-977-5770
What types of grantmaking programs does the Foundation have?
The Foundation seeks to achieve its mission through a grant program consisting of initiative, responsive, match, and donor advised grants.
INITIATIVE GRANTS: Foundation-sponsored, strategic grant programs with specific measurable goals that address a particular health focus area. The Foundation’s current health focus areas are access to quality medical and dental care, especially for children. The Foundation may seek funding from other sources to enhance the impact of its initiatives.
RESPONSIVE GRANTS: Unsolicited requests that seek to improve access to medical or dental care services or measurably improve another significant health issue. The responsive program places a special emphasis on children’s health needs.
MATCH GRANTS: Leveraged Foundation resources to improve health. Through its grantmaking expertise, performance measurement policies and resource development efforts, the Foundation adds significant value to the donated funds, in addition to providing matching dollars.
DONOR ADVISED GRANTS: Donor recommended grants are based on recommendations DMF receives from a donor who has established a Donor Advised Fund within the Foundation. Grants are invested in nonprofit organizations whose programs or projects measurably improve health and access to healthcare services. Additionally, each donor establishes specific areas of interest they would like to support.
LEND A HAND: Lend A Hand is a pilot program to expand assistance to individuals and/or families experiencing financial hardship due to a medical crisis.
Do you give grants to individuals?
No.
Who is eligible for funding?
Grant applicants must be tax-exempt charitable organizations as described in the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) or governmental/educational organizations.
What is your service area?
In Minnesota, the counties of: Becker, Clay, Clearwater, Hubbard, Mahnomen, Norman, Ottertail, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Wadena, and Wilkin.
In North Dakota, the counties of: Barnes, Benson, Cass, Dickey, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McIntosh, Nelson, Ramsey, Ransom, Richland, Sargent, Steele, Stutsman, Traill, Walsh, and Wells.
Are there any projects that will not be considered for funding?*
The Foundation generally does not fund vehicle purchases or research projects.
Grants may not be used for political reasons, religious purposes, to fund endowments or development campaigns, raffles, tickets, testimonials, recognition events, telephone solicitations, construction projects or real estate acquisitions.
Requests will not be accepted for operating deficits or retirement of debt, operating expenses that are not used to improve, expand or change current services, administrative overhead or indirect fees, direct support to individuals, or sports and athletic programs.
* The Foundation retains the right, through its governance system, to exempt portions of the preceding guidelines.
Does the Foundation fund equipment or technology?
A grant request for equipment or technology may be considered if it is an integral part of a Foundation initiative or under extraordinary circumstances. Requests for equipment or technology must measurably improve healthcare access in our region. If you have questions regarding a request for equipment or technology, please contact Deb Watne at 701-356-2654, toll free at 877-977-5770, or via e-mail at debwatne@dakmed.org.
Do you fund multi-year grants?
Yes. You may request funding for up to three years for responsive grants; Foundation-sponsored initiatives may be awarded for up to five years or more.
How do I apply for a responsive grant?
Process – Letter of Intent:
1. Potential applicants may call the Foundation to discuss their proposed project or complete the eligibility questionnaire. If the proposed project fits within the Foundation's mission and current interests, the applicant will be invited to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by the submission deadline (Grant Round Schedule).
2. Applicants will be notified of the status of their proposal approximately 30 days after submission.
3. Letters of Intent that best meet the Foundation's mission and current interests proceed to the grant application stage.
Who should I contact about applying for a grant?
Deb Watne, grants director, at
E-mail: debwatne@dakmed.org
Phone: 701-356-2654
Toll free: 877-977-5770
What are the Letter of Intent deadlines?
Please view our Grant Round Schedule for more information.
How long does it take to get a grant?
The full responsive grantmaking process takes approximately five months to complete, from Letter of Intent submission to grant decision.
How are grant applications selected?
Grant applications received by the submission deadline undergo a thorough investigation by Foundation staff, grants committee members, and, if necessary, other regional health experts.
The Foundation’s grants committee meets to review applications and make decisions/recommendations for grant funding.
Grant applications may also be reviewed by the Foundation’s executive committee and/or board of directors.
If I get a grant, what else will I have to do?
1. Complete and sign a grant agreement and conflict of interest form.
2. If appropriate, develop a press release for Foundation review and media distribution.
3. Submit interim and final grant reports in a timely manner, if required.
4. Notify the Foundation if a project timeline, budget adjustment or other grant amendment is required or if you are unable to comply with the grant agreement requirements or Foundation guidelines. The Foundation should also be notified of changes in project personnel.
5. Provide verification of your project’s health improvement outcome(s).
6. Ensure project sustainability, if applicable.
I am considering establishing a tax-exempt organization, who can I contact for advice?
NORTH DAKOTA:
North Dakota Secretary of State
600 E. Blvd. Ave., Dept. 108, 1st Floor
Bismarck, ND 58505-0500
701-328-2900 or toll free 800-352-0867
E-mail: sos@state.nd.us
www.nd.gov/sos/
Web reference:
"How to Begin and Maintain a Nonprofit Organization in the State of North Dakota"
www.nd.gov/sos/nonprofit/pdf/nonprofit.pdf
North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations
1605 E Capitol Ave
Bismarck, ND 58502
701-258-9101 or toll free 888-396-3266
E-mail: ndano@btinet.net
www.ndano.org
MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Secretary of State
180 State Office Building
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
St. Paul, MN 55155-1299
651-296-2803 or toll free 877-551-6767 (Greater MN)
www.sos.state.mn.us
Statutes: www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/stats/317A/index.html
Filing: www.sos.state.mn.us/business/nc.html
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
2314 University Avenue, #20
St. Paul, MN 55114
651-642-1904 or toll free 800-289-1904 (Greater MN)
E-mail: info@mncn.org
www.mncn.org
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:
The Foundation Center
"Establishing a Nonprofit Organization"
www.foundationcenter.org/getstarted/faqs/html/starting_nonprofits.html
What other organizations award grants in the Foundation’s service area?
The Minnesota Council on Foundations offers grantseekers an opportunity to subscribe to a searchable database of Minnesota grantmakers at www.mcf.org.
The North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations offers grantseekers an opportunity to purchase Grantseeking in North Dakota at www.ndano.org.
Please see the Grantseeking Resources section of our website for a list of organizations who fund in the Red River Valley region.
What is the Foundation’s address?
4152 30th Avenue South, Ste 102
Fargo, ND 58104-8403
I have a question that doesn’t appear in this section. How do I get an answer?
Contact Deb Watne, grants director, at:
E-mail: debwatne@dakmed.org
Phone: 701-356-2654
Toll free: 877-977-5770
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