Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust
The Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Fargo, North Dakota. Established by Fred M. Hector Jr. in 2017, it supports local nonprofits working to improve the lives of people in need in the greater Fargo–Moorhead area.
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust gave $663K across 40 grants in 2024 (avg $17K), mostly in North Dakota. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $663,000
- +67.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 40
- +29.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $16,575
- +29.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $19,201,736
- +6.6% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (19 of 40, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants submit the online application with proof of 501(c)(3) status. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations operating in the Fargo–Moorhead area or having an impact there. The foundation gives priority to applications involving brick-and-mortar organizations and projects with a lasting community impact. It does not fund individuals and accepts only one application per entity per year. Applicants whose requests are being considered for acceptance will receive a phone call; those that do not meet the criteria will be notified by email.
- Review Cycle
- September 15 annually.
- Deadline
- September 15 annually.
- Contact
Application contact: Fred Hector Charitable Trust
Mailing address: PO Box 7186, Fargo, ND 58106
Phone: (701) 371-9960
Website: https://fmhectorfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Fargo Park District Foundation ($225K). Together the top 10 received $420K.
Grant Size Distribution
142 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 138 grants of 142 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated geographic eligibility is operation in, or impact on, the Fargo–Moorhead area. In 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to recipients in North Dakota and 12% to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 40 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 19 of 40 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 45% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 73% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 74% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $145K (2020) to $663K (2024). In 2024 it made 40 grants totaling $663K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo Park District Foundation Fargo, ND | Program Support | $225,000 |
| Fargo Memorial Honor Guard Fargo, ND | Program Support | $40,000 |
| Anne Carlsen Center Jamestown, ND | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Dear Nicu Mama Fargo, ND | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Fargo Post 400 Baseball FMBA Fargo, ND | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Farm Rescue Foundation Horace, ND | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Legacy Children's Foundation Fargo, ND | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Peace Academy Fargo, ND | Program Support | $20,000 |
| Hope Inc Moorhead, MN | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Make a Wish Foundation of North Dakota Fargo, ND | Program Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,201,736 | $1,866,878 | $947,401 | $663,000 | 40 | $684,904 | $921,852 | $922,973 |
| 2023 | $18,021,056 | $9,692,485 | $486,939 | $395,500 | 31 | $399,215 | $405,427 | $403,440 |
| 2022 | $7,663,460 | $492,653 | $424,810 | $370,500 | 26 | $385,609 | $270,826 | $363,313 |
| 2021 | $7,971,946 | $583,928 | $421,417 | $384,000 | 26 | $384,000 | $543,411 | $367,120 |
| 2020 | $7,243,208 | $-53,390 | $208,067 | $145,000 | 19 | — | — | $374,863 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $923K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to continue the Hector family legacy of giving by helping local nonprofits enhance the lives of ordinary, everyday people in need, including military veterans, youth, people with disabilities, and others less fortunate in the greater Fargo–Moorhead area.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate a range of services. The Fargo Park District Foundation says it raises private support for modernized facilities and quality recreation services. Fargo Memorial Honor Guard says it supports a local national veterans cemetery. Anne Carlsen Center’s mission is to make the world more inclusive and independence available to all. Peace Academy describes its work as nurturing children, enriching parents, and expanding access to early childhood education and care. Other grantees include organizations serving rural residents facing injury or illness, vulnerable youth, and people with disabilities.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the trust awarded 40 grants totaling $663,000. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $225,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest 2024 grants included $225,000 to Fargo Park District Foundation, $40,000 to Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, $25,000 to Anne Carlsen Center, and $20,000 each to Dear NICU Mama, Fargo Post 400 Baseball FMBA, Farm Rescue Foundation, Legacy Children’s Foundation, and Peace Academy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Keith Ernst is listed as trustee on the 2024 filing.
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust is led by Keith Ernst, Trustee on every filing since 2020 — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Keith Ernst
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust
How much does Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust give each year?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust gave $663K across 40 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $396K across 31 grants.
What is Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $16,575, across 40 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust that year got $11K on average.
Where does Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust give grants?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust gives mostly in North Dakota: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Minnesota (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (23 grants), Moorhead, MN (7 grants) and West Fargo, ND (4 grants).
Does Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 40 grants with a stated purpose on Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (40 grants).
Who are Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Fargo Park District Foundation ($225,000), Fargo Memorial Honor Guard ($40,000) and Anne Carlsen Center ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust reported $19.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $685K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $923K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust fund?
The foundation’s mission is to continue the Hector family legacy of giving by helping local nonprofits enhance the lives of ordinary, everyday people in need, including military veterans, youth, people with disabilities, and others less fortunate in the greater Fargo–Moorhead area. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's EIN?
Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-6127063. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fred-m-hector-jr-charitable-trust-morg_5268d83379e84925961e562d42684752
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_826127063_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fred-m-hector-jr-charitable-trust-morg_5268d83379e84925961e562d42684752},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trust's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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