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Senior Outpost Commander Kevin Penner accepts a check from Scott Wilson, chair of the FACF advisory committee
The Fosston Area Community Fund (FACF) recently awarded grant funding to Royal Rangers Outpost 99.  The Ranger organization submitted a proposal, requesting funds from FACF in response to a request for proposals that was released in January of this year.

Ranger Outpost 99 at Bethel Assembly in Fosston mentors children, ages 3-12, using a nationally recognized program, Royal Rangers, International.  The program incorporates friendship, activities, an advancement system, interactive learning, uniforms, a patrol system, and service and ministry outreach.  Adult leaders mentor kids through building friendships and implementing fun activities. Through hands-on, experiential learning, children build self-esteem, team-building skills, and leadership skills. The program is open to all children, within the specified age range, regardless of church affiliation.

The funds that were awarded by FACF will be used by the Rangers to purchase much-needed camping equipment. Camping is one of the most effective and beloved of all the experiential learning activities undertaken by Rangers Outpost 99.  Senior Outpost Commander Kevin Penner was very thankful to FACF for the award. “New camping equipment has been on our wish list for a long time,” Penner said. “This will enable us to do some things that we would not have been able to do otherwise.”

FACF is in the process of building an endowment fund.  The short-term goal is build an endowment fund of $250,000.  Each year, grants will be made available to organizations in the community, out of the earnings of the fund.  According to Scott Wilson, President of the Fosston Area Community Fund, “As we build the fund and increase the size of the endowment, we will be able to make more awards like the one we gave to the Rangers.”  Wilson added, “There are many great nonprofit organizations in our community, doing lots of good work.  The main reason behind FACF is to help fund the good work that they do.”



FACF anticipates announcing the availability of another round of funding late summer/early fall.  Nonprofit organizations within the geographic area covered by the Fosston school district will be eligible to apply. 

For more information about the fund, visit www.fosstonacf.org

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