Established in 1976, the North Dakota Community Foundation is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) statewide public non-profit tax-exempt corporation that receives and distributes charitable funds to support a wide range of programs, which benefit North Dakotans. NDCF was formed by a group of citizens who were interested in establishing an efficient way of meeting some of the needs in North Dakota in the educational, charitable, arts, scientific and health areas. Initial support for the Foundation came from the Otto Bremer Foundation, the Northwest Area Foundation, the Northwest Bancorporation, the North Dakota Bremer Banks and the Bush Foundation. The office staff, under the supervision of its volunteer Board of Directors, carries on the work of the Foundation. Board members are appointed from major professional groups in North Dakota and from the public at large. All grant distribution decisions are made by the NDCF Board of Directors.