West Central Initiative
West Central Initiative is a regional community foundation headquartered in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Founded in 1986, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as a public charity with a focus on strengthening west central Minnesota through economic development, community development, and philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$96.5M
+8.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.3M
-23.4% YoY
Grant Count
185
+27.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
-39.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
West Central Initiative's primary goal is to strengthen west central Minnesota so families, communities, and businesses thrive. The organization accomplishes this through three main tools: economic development, community development, and philanthropy.
The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services. Strategic priorities are driven by sustainable development goals and include support for sustainability, equity, and civic engagement projects.
Grantmaking
West Central Initiative awards grants through multiple mechanisms:
Review Cycle
announced periodically (e.g., March 24th for spring rounds). Applications can be submitted through the organization's online portal.
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
West Central Initiative serves nine west central Minnesota counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin, as well as the portion of White Earth Nation in Becker County. The organization only makes grants to organizations or programs that deliver specific services on a regular basis to residents of these designated counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total Assets: $96,470,939
- Total Revenue: $16,024,793
- Total Expenses: $11,792,919
- Number of Employees: 32
Previous Year Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $88.8M
- Revenue: $9.76M
- Expenses: $12.1M
- Total Liabilities: $1.87M
The organization maintains a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $96,470,939 | $88,800,984 | $87,078,134 |
| Revenue | $16,024,793 | $9,762,014 | $9,220,682 |
| Expenses | $11,792,919 | $12,096,788 | $7,282,692 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $4,996,465 | $2,992,123 | $1,652,626 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
10 open opportunities from West Central Initiative
Deloris Barnack Kenner Fund
WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant
WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund
WEST CENTRAL INITIATIVE
Amount
US $500 - US $2,500
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Broadway Welding Inc ($199,990), American Sports Outfitters Llc ($160,000), Atkinson Rural Fire Department ($144,415).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A PLACE FOR HOPE RECOVERY AND WELLNESS CENTER MOORHEAD, MN | INSTALLING A REPURPOSED WALK-IN FREEZER | $13,900 |
| ACRES OF EDEN LLC FERGUS FALLS, MN | PROMISE ACT GRANT | $25,000 |
| AMERICAN SPORTS OUTFITTERS LLC DETROIT LAKES, MN | DEED MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION GRANT | $160,000 |
| ART OF THE LAKES BATTLE LAKE, MN | ART EXPLORATION GRANT; ART INTENSIVE; ART WORKSHOPS | $6,000 |
| ARTISTREE COMMUNITY INC ALEXANDRIA, MN | FREC GREATER MN RACIAL EQUITY CONFERENCE | $7,000 |
| ATKINSON RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ATKINSON, NE | MSA PACKS | $144,415 |
| BAM'IDIZOWIGAMIG CREATOR'S PLACE PONSFORD, MN | GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES | $13,600 |
| BARNESVILLE CHILD CARE CENTER BARNESVILLE, MN | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| BARNESVILLE EDA BARNESVILLE, MN | CHILDCARE PROVIDER GRANTS | $7,000 |
| BARNESVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS #146 BARNESVILLE, MN | ANTI-BULLYING SPEAKER; MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER; MUSIC LIB. DIVERSITY INITIATIVE; VARIOUS OTHER | $6,148 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Anna Wasescha - President
- Rebecca Lynn Petersen - Director of Development and Philanthropic Services
- Sandra King - VP Operations
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| COREY KRATCHA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JACKIE BUBOLTZ | CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| LAURA JB SCHMIDT | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 0.5 | — |
| KARI KREFT | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ERIC NEWELL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ELIZABETH PIHLAJA | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TYLER WIRTH | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DAVID SCHORNACK | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| JACOB MCARTHUR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| NANCY HUOT | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| MICHELE STAEBLER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| TRINA STARKER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JANICE TWEET | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RYAN ROONEY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LISA TILLOTSON | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ANNA WASESCHA | PRESIDENT | 40 | $200,547 |
| TREVOR GERVAIS | CFO | 40 | $84,860 |
| REBECCA PETERSON | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $115,214 |
| GREGORY WAGNER | DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $103,440 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Spring 2025 Grant Round:** West Central Initiative opened applications through March 24, 2025, for grant funding to support sustainability, equity, and civic engagement projects in the region.
West Central Initiative Awarding $570,000 in Grants to Local Organizations**Endowment Fund Grants:** The organization awarded more than $113,000 in grants from three personally endowed funds to organizations serving the Fergus Falls, Perham, and Dent communities, benefiting causes including education, youth services, and community arts programming.
West Central Initiative Awarding $570,000 in Grants to Local Organizations**2025 Grant Awards:** West Central Initiative awarded $570,000 in grants to regional organizations.
West Central Initiative Awarding $570,000 in Grants to Local OrganizationsContact Information
- Address: 1000 Western Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56538
- Phone: (800) 735-2239 or (218) 739-2239
- Email: wci@wcif.org
- Website: wcif.org
- EIN: 36-3453471
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does West Central Initiative fund?
West Central Initiative's primary goal is to strengthen west central Minnesota so families, communities, and businesses thrive. The organization accomplishes this through three main tools: economic development, community development, and philanthropy. The foundation's grant-making focuses on Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services. Strategic priorities are driven by sustainable development goals and include support for sustainability, equity, and civic engagement …
How do I apply for a grant from West Central Initiative?
West Central Initiative awards grants through multiple mechanisms: **Grant Programs:** • West Central Initiative Grant (formerly Resilient Communities Grants) • WCI: Promise Act Grant • Local Grant Development Assistance • Inga M. Johnson Endowment Fund Grant • Floyd and Harriet Miller Endowment Fund Grant • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Grant **Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $5,050–$1,508,467 • The organization awarded just under $6.3 million in grants during fiscal year …
Where does West Central Initiative make grants?
West Central Initiative serves nine west central Minnesota counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin, as well as the portion of White Earth Nation in Becker County. The organization only makes grants to organizations or programs that deliver specific services on a regular basis to residents of these designated counties.
What size grants does West Central Initiative award?
In 2025, West Central Initiative awarded 185 grants totaling $5.3M — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is West Central Initiative's EIN?
West Central Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3453471. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in West Central Initiative's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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