The Dickinson County Endowment Fund, in support of seventeen projects led by Dickinson County non-profit organizations, has distributed grants totaling $107,132.
DCEF Council Chair Marilyn Vos (Arnolds Park) recognized the 2026 Advisory Council, which is made up of volunteers who broadly represent the County’s residents: VC Tim O’Hagan (Spirit Lake), Treasurer Dawn Mathews (Terril), Secretary Megan Helgeson (Wahpeton), Jessica Garberding (Spirit Lake), April Junge (Lake Park), Kara Rice (Milford), Ryan Schmidt (Okoboji), and Erica Schultes (Superior).
Ann Ditsworth, DCEF Council Advisor, also noted, “The Council thoughtfully reviews each application and its impact for our citizens. It is very rewarding to see how our Non-profit organizations continually strive to serve the many diverse needs throughout the county. We’re excited to provide support, as well as sparking new partnerships among our non-profit community.”
The following positive projects have been funded for our communities:
- Community Housing Initiatives – Senior Affordable Housing Comm Room Improvements: $6,250.00
- Dickinson County Museum – Modular exhibit & The New Inn project: $7,000.00
- GT Elementary PTO – Sensory Playground Area: $15,000.00
- Humane Society of NWIA – ‘Pawsitive Spaces’ Project: $2,500.00
- IGL Fishing Club – Dickinson County Kid’s Fish Day: $5,000.00
- Lake Park Historical Society – Heritage Square Reimagined: $7,500.00
- Lakes Area Activity Center – Community Computer Stations & Software: $2,500.00
- Lakes Area Hockey – Skate Helpers, Lakes Ice Arena: $5,000.00
- Lutheran Lakeside Camp – CampCare and beyond: $10,000.00
- Okoboji Community School Foundation – Angel Fund: $8,000.00
- Pearson Lakes Art Center – “Treehouse Masters” Treehouse: $10,000.00
- Save Turtle Lake c/o Okoboji Fdn – Waterway Restoration project: $5,000.00
- Season Center – Dickinson County Office Waiting Area update: $1,882.00
- Spirit Lake High School – Timmy the Dreamer: $5,000.00
- Twin Forks Trap & Skeet – Trap Thrower acquisition: $5,250.00
- Upper Des Moines Opportunity – 1st Five – Bridge to Healthy Development: $2,500.00
- Voluntary Action Center – Meals on Wheels Subsidized Meals: $8,750.00
In twenty-one years of grant making, Dickinson County Endowment Fund has provided funding support totaling $2,091,624. We have collaborated with 110 Dickinson County Nonprofit Organizations and each School District by awarding grants 450 projects affecting every community in the County.
For more information on the Dickinson County Endowment Fund – to make a donation or plan future grant requests – visit https://dcefund.org/ You can also check us out on Facebook and Instagram.