West Central Initiative awarded 54 grants totaling more than $114,000 to organizations serving the Fergus Falls, Perham, and Dent communities from three personally endowed funds. 

“The Deloris Barnack Kenner, Floyd and Harriet Miller, and Inga M. Johnson Funds were established to create lasting impacts by generously supporting the philanthropists’ favorite causes and organizations in our region,” said Rebecca Lynn Petersen, West Central Initiative’s Director of Development. “The philanthropists determined how West Central Initiative directs the funds by identifying certain giving criteria. West Central Initiative then seeks and grants to causes that fit those criteria annually, creating a lasting legacy.” 

Perham, Dent, and Fergus Falls Area Impact 

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:  

• Best Buddies Perham Chapter for summer programming that continues relationship-building activities between students with and without disabilities in grades 5-12. 

• Boys & Girls Club of the Perham Area to support a middle school summer program that engages youth and helps them grow into responsible, helpful members of the community. 

• Empowering Kids Perham for dedicated instructor time to help ensure that each neurodivergent child receives thoughtful guidance and opportunities to practice critical life skills in a nurturing community setting. 

• Heart of the Lakes Elementary School, Perham-Dent Public School District #549 to purchase items for dramatic play centers, which allow students to interact with each other in a positive and social way. 

• Perham Area Community Center (PACC) to support the expansion of Kids Camp, which provides children ages 3–11 with a safe and engaging environment to play and develop both fine and gross motor skills. 

• Perham Area Public Library for the purchase of Tonieboxes to spark children’s curiosity about the world around them and strengthen reading and language skills. 

• Perham Center for the Arts to offer Arts 4 All classes for people of all ages at a reduced cost or no cost. 

• Perham High School, Perham-Dent Public School District #549 to support Girls Group, a program that helps girls build self-esteem and provides a safe, welcoming space for self-expression. 

• Prairie Wind Middle School, Perham-Dent Public School District #549 for staff and student education about the vital role mental health plays in overall well-being and support for those in need of mental health assistance. 

• Roots and Wings Forest School for summer nature-based learning, including the Nature Nuts program for children ages 5-9, and the Adventurers program for children ages 5-12.

Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund: Reverend Floyd and Harriet Miller wished to leave a lasting impact in the Fergus Falls community for all the kindness they received during their lifetimes. Funds benefit nonprofit organizations in the Fergus Falls area along with the St. James Episcopal Church. Grantees are:  

• A Place to Belong to provide a safe, welcoming, and stigma-free space for adults diagnosed with serious mental illness in Fergus Falls and surrounding communities. 

• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 25 for the clothing donation program and supporting community needs. 

• Douglas County Car Care Program to repair vehicles, some of which are donated, for Fergus Falls clients who need reliable transportation and can’t afford repairs. 

• Fergus Falls Area Habitat for Humanity for the construction of a safe, efficient, and affordable home at East St. Charles Street in Fergus Falls. 

• Fergus Falls Senior Center, Inc. for the replacement of the elevator that will allow access to the wellness center, library, pool tables, quilting, craft rooms, and gathering spaces. 

• Fergus Falls Skating Club for the Bring a Friend to Skate event to allow community members to learn about and try figure skating and hockey. 

• I-94 BMX, Inc. for new track bikes to accommodate riders of different ages and skill levels. 

• Lakeland Mental Health Center, Inc. for the Hope Project to provide high-quality, accessible, behavioral healthcare for individuals, families, and communities. 

• Meals By Wheels of Fergus Falls, Inc. for nutritious meals delivered to older adults and people with disabilities. 

• Mill Street Residence for a bariatric wheelchair and new thermometers. 

• Otter Tail County Historical Society for the design, fabrication, and installation of interpretive materials for the 1956 Charles Beck mural. 

• SAGA Youth for Coming Out of the Closet, which provides personal care items, hygiene products, formal wear, and other necessities. 

• Someplace Safe Fergus Falls for furnishings, toys, and activities for the Someplace Safe Parenting Time Center. 

• Springboard for the Arts Fergus Falls for the completion of the riverfront community mural on the Benson Building overlooking the Spies Riverfront Park and Market Pavilion in Fergus Falls. 

• United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties for the Weekend Feeding Backpack Program to provide weekend food and beverages to approximately 145 Fergus Falls students throughout the school year. 

• Vets R Us, Inc. for Veterans Outdoor Therapy Activities to build communities and provide emotional and mental support for Veterans and active-duty military.  

Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund: Johnson was actively involved with her community and was philanthropic throughout her lifetime. It was Inga’s wish 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:  

• Action Ministries Inc. for The Blessing Closet, which is a free store for those in need in Fergus Falls. 

• BIO Girls, Inc. to improve the self-esteem of adolescent girls in Fergus Falls through self-empowerment and service to others. 

• City of Fergus Falls Parks & Recreation for the Summer Recreation Program to provide summer activities for youth entering preschool through eighth grade. 

• Fergus Area College Foundation to support the Sonography Echocardiography Program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. 

• Fergus Area Pride for 2025 Community Pride Day, a cornerstone event for Fergus Area Pride. 

• Fergus Falls Band Boosters for the Fergus Falls High School Band’s participation in the National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii. 

• Fergus Falls Center for the Arts, Inc. for scholarships that make it possible for area youth to participate in the Finding Nemo Jr. performance. 

• Fergus Falls Community Education for assistance with homework before and after school for students in sixth through ninth grade. 

• Fergus Falls Farmers Market for providing and educating about locally grown produce. 

• Fergus Falls High School, Fergus Falls Public School #544 for the OtterBots competitive high school robotics program. 

• Fergus Falls Police Department for the Public Safety Open House to teach preschool through fourth graders about public safety entities. 

• Fergus Falls Public Library for the Extra Reading at the Library summer reading tutoring program for students in first through sixth grade. 

• Fergus Falls Salvation Army for Emergency Social Services to provide financial assistance for basic needs, including rental assistance, help with utilities and shelter, and a meal program. 

• Friends of Prairie Wetlands Learning Center, Inc. for Earth Day 2025, Our Power, Our Planet, to educate the community about issues related to the environment. 

• Hillcrest Lutheran Academy for the high school choir’s national tour. 

• JAIL, Inc. for support to positively impact the lives of inmates at Otter Tail County Jail by helping them navigate the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges of incarceration and reentry into society. 

• Kaddatz Galleries Ltd for Legacy Lectures: Drawn From Here to create lasting community impact by providing a platform for artists to share their artistic journeys. 

• Lincoln School, Fergus Falls Public Schools #544 for the installation of an outdoor mural called Prairie Reflection to accompany the prairie restoration project. 

• Lutheran Brethren Retirement Services for a portable microphone for group activities and CD players for residents. 

• Oak Grove Cemetery Association for the digitization of cemetery records and creation of a searchable database. 

• The Connection/OTC Foster Closet for supporting foster and adoptive families.  

• Otter Cove Children’s Museum LLC for the free The Jolly Pops concert for families in Fergus Falls. 

• Otter Tail County Human Services for tools and support for foster parent preparation. 

• Our Lady of Victory Catholic School for tutoring during the summer months. 

• Soul Purpose Ministries to connect residents of Matthew House residential recovery home with group activities to rebuild a positive sense of self and community. 

• Welcome House for scholarships for women in recovery at Barbara’s House to attend the National Association of Recovery Residences Conference. 

• West Otter Tail County Friends of the Fair for education, booth setup, demonstrations, and 4-H contests. 

• YMCA of the Northern Sky Fergus Falls for robotic kits, Hex bugs, Legos, and reading materials to use as enrichment opportunities during the summer months. 

• Interested in creating a personally endowed fund? 

West Central Initiative offers individuals the opportunity to establish personally endowed funds that make a lasting difference in the region. Grants from these funds can be distributed in two ways: either through giving criteria identified by the donor and administered by West Central Initiative or by allowing the donor to recommend specific causes or organizations to support directly. 

Both approaches offer valuable tax benefits and create long-term impact in west central Minnesota. 

For more information about the benefits of establishing a personally endowed fund, contact Rebecca Petersen at 800-735-2239 or email rebecca@wcif.org.