Through a generous gift by a George Gaukler, a benevolent Williston area developer, local residents were able to establish the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation.  The Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation will bring together passionate people and trusted resources to create lasting change in the communities of Williams, Divide, and McKenzie counties.

“The communities of our three-county service area have been experiencing a vast growth of needs in the last few years.  The Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation is now available as a vehicle for individuals to provide resources to meet these needs, while taking advantage of great tax incentives,” said Ward Koeser, President of the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

The common mission of every community foundation is to improve the quality of life in their geographic area through the administration of endowed and non-endowed funds and grantmaking to impactful projects in their communities.  

Gaukler provided $50,000 in startup dollars to get the community foundation off the ground.  “I’ve seen firsthand the impact that a community foundation can have on an area.  Helping to establish the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation is something I am very proud to do,” remarked George Gaukler.  

Despite the Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation being new, professionals are already coming forward to support it.  For example, The JBRL Group, a wealth management advisory team at Merrill Lynch, who have been working with business owners, land and royalty owners, as well as the professional community in Williston and the surrounding areas for the past three years, has made a generous contribution to support the community foundation’s efforts.

“We are so grateful for the support of George Gaukler and The JBRL Group,” remarked Koeser.  “The Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation will be a great catalyst for charitable giving, and we are very excited to provide grant funds to help better our communities.”