The Williston City Commission has approved 22 Community Enhancement (CE) grant applications totaling $50,000 at its meeting on Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
The CE program is part of the Williston STAR Fund. Each year, the commission allocates up to $50,000 for nonprofit groups and projects. The chairman of the STAR Fund advisory board said the program helps improve Williston’s quality of life.
“The Community Enhancement grant program had a lot of great applicants again this year!” said Dana Johnson, Chairman of the Williston STAR Fund Advisory Board. “The board was able to support all kinds of non-profits in the area including everything from the arts and history to athletics and social service type programs.”
The STAR Fund advisory board administers the CE program. In all, the board reviewed and scored 27 applications totaling $237,000 in requests in January. The 2023 applications were far-reaching, ranging from golf and gymnastics programs to building projects to programs for teens to seniors.
City of Williston Interim Administrator, Shawn Wenko, said the program supports projects throughout the Williston trade area.
“Annually, this regional program, administered through the STAR Fund, is a way for the community to support quality of life projects in and throughout the region,” Wenko said. “For the regional applicants that applied and were approved. It is our way of saying thank you for your support and shopping in the Williston community while contributing to the STAR Fund.”
The following organizations and projects received 2023 CE grants:
1. BIO Girls Williston $1,500
Financial startup assistance
2. Crosby Country Club $2,000
Electrical upgrades at clubhouse
3. Family Bridges & Exchange Center $2,500
Financial support for supervised visits
4. Family Crisis Shelter $5,000
Program funding
5. Good Samaritan Club $1,000
Exterior improvements at Papa Jack’s
6. HER Inspiration Resource Center, Inc. $2,500
Funding for family assistance and resources
7. Marketplace for Kids $1,000
Financial assistance for program
8. McKenzie County Healthcare $1,500
Funding for chapel at Horizon Assisted Living
9. Miss North Dakota Scholarship Organization $2,500
Funding for program
10. MonDak Gymnastics Support Group $2,500
Financial support for program
11. Northern Plains Youth for Christ $2,500
Funding for building updates
12. Olive Motherhood Foundation $1,500
Funding for program startup and expansion
13. Upper Missouri Health District $1,500
Financial assistance for Safe Seats program
14. Violence Free $2,500
Financial support for Domestic Violence Offender Treatment
15. Western Star Foundation $2,500
Funds for Farm to Table program
16. Western Star Foundation $2,500
Financial assistance for Lemonade Day
17. Western Star Foundation $2,500
Scholarship funds for Mental Health First Aid class
18. Williston Basin United Way $2,500
Website updates
19. Williston Police Association $3,000
Funding for events
20. Williston Research Extension Center $3,000
Funding for flooring upgrades in meeting room
21. Williston Trinity Christian School $1,000
Funding for PA System upgrades
22. Williston Volunteer Honor Guard Team $3,000
Financial assistance for uniform upgrades
Total 2023 Community Enhancement Allocation $50,000
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For more information, visit www.willistondevelopment.com, call 701.577.8110, or stop by 113 4th Street East, in Downtown Williston.