The Pierce County Endowment Fund started 31 years ago as a foundation to promote community health.

It has evolved over the years, but is still helping community organizations dedicated to that goal.

The fund was founded by local health care professionals as Life Inc., a Mid-American Health Foundation.

“A small group of people got together and decided they wanted to start a foundation to reinvest in the community and we want to keep that going,” said Dr. Brian Selland, who is on the PCEF board, along with Judy Jelsing and Lois Volk. “All donations are used for local projects.”

Selland said the goal of the fund is to promote community health in the broadest sense.

The fund is now administered by the North Dakota Community Foundation, which allows it to operate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Applications for the grants are due by Dec. 1 and can be found at www.NDCF.net/PierceCounty. Grants range from $200 to $3,000 depending on amount requested and the type of project. Selland said the average grant ranges from $1,000 to $1,500. The fund has helped groups like the Good Samaritan Health Services Foundation, the Heart of America Medical Center Patient Education Committee, N.D. Tar Wars Anti-Smoking Campaign and the Rugby Park Board.

The PCEF hasn’t done much fundraising in the past, according to Selland, but is installing an effort to recruit donations over the final quarter of the year.

All donations to the Piece County Endowment Fund are tax deductible to the fullest extent of state and federal law. Some donations to the Fund may qualify for a significant tax credit towards your North Dakota income tax liability.

“It’s a low-pressure invitation for people to consider contributing to the fund,” Selland said.

Interested groups and individuals can visit www.NDCF.net or call 701-222-8349 for more information on how to take advantage of the tax credit with your donation. Donors can go online or send a check to PO Box 135, Rugby ND 58368.

Selland said donations of any amount are appreciated.

“The funds are for good purposes and they are used locally,” Selland said. “There are matching funds available at the state level, so almost always the donations are doubled.”