EIN 36-3453471

West Central Initiative (WCI)

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
27
City
Fergus Falls
Year formed
1986
Most recent tax filings
2024-06-01
Description
WCI only makes grants to organizations or programs that deliver specific services on a regular basis to residents of the following Minnesota Counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin.
Total revenues
$9,762,014
2024
Total expenses
$12,096,788
2024
Total assets
$88,800,984
2024
Num. employees
27
2024

Program areas at WCI

Community and foundation grantmaking: as a community foundation, one of our roles is to establish and manage dedicated permanent funds that address specific charitable purposes. We call these funds "component funds" because they are part of our mission and asset valuation. In fy24, we added 16 new component funds to our portfolio. Driven by our strategic priorities and connected to the sustainable development goals, grants are just one of many resources we offer to support our region's families, communities, organizations, and businesses. We awarded just over $7.3 million in grants during the current year.
Planning and economic development: through our planning, lending, and technical assistance work, we partner with regional leaders to create vibrant, sustainable, and welcoming communities for all. As the federally designated planning organization for the region through the u.s. economic development administration, every five years we create a comprehensive economic development strategy for the region iv economic development district of Minnesota. The document outlines the needs, goals, strategies, and implementation process for the region's economic development work. We distributed $1.34 million in loans in fy24. Through a contract with the Minnesota department of transportation, we administer a transportation planning program for West Central Minnesota. This partnership allows for coordinated, long-range regional transportation planning. New safe routes to school plans were created during the year that benefited more than 4,000 students.
Programs and outreach: our early childhood Initiative is a network of parents, educators, businesses, community leaders, faith leaders, and policymakers joined in a long-term effort to prioritize the care and development of young children. Two important facets of our early childhood Initiative include our early childhood dental network and early childhood mental health network. Both programs take a collaborative approach to help ensure our children get the care they need and deserve. We completed the climate action plan for West Central Minnesota in spring of 2023, and we are now focused on putting it into action through staffing and outreach, with the goal of creating a sustainable and respected environment for the future. In september 2023, we sponsored more than 30 welcoming week events in our region to welcome and celebrate newcomers of all backgrounds. Our live wide open program showcases the opportunities, natural amenities, and diverse individuals in West Central Minnesota, aiming to inspire a sense of belonging and attract people to the region. Our rural democracy program, in a region considered leadership distressed, offers training to individuals considering running for office, engages historically excluded groups in civic processes, and supports local leaders in participating in local government and nonprofits. In june 2024, we hosted a 17 rooms event where regional stakeholders worked together to identify and address priorities, aligning with the sustainable development goals to create solutions for West Central Minnesota.

Grants made by WCI

GranteeGrant descriptionAmount
Detroit Lakes Public Library FoundationFurniture; General Support$751,713
Prairie Rose Agricultural Institute of Research Innovation and EducationDisbursement of Funds-Prairie; Small Farm Incubation; Congolese Comm. Garden; Lease$296,433
Sanford Medical CenterLife Stations at Northwinds; Elevate Connections; Oncology Equip; Perham Living Robots$118,925
...and 66 more grants made totalling $2,505,663

Who funds West Central Initiative (WCI)

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
Southwest Initiative FoundationWest Central Initiative Belonging, Anti-Hate, and Anti-Racism$480,000
Saint Paul and Minnesota FoundationMultiple Grants for Programs, Operations, Or Other Purposes$400,000
The McKnight FoundationTo Strengthen Civic Participation in Rural Democratic Process Through Organized Outreach, Training, and Conversation$200,000
...and 14 more grants received

Personnel at WCI

NameTitleCompensation
Anna WaseschaPresident$184,856
Trevor GervaisChief Financial Officer
Sarah CaseyDirector of Strategic Communications
Rebecca Lynn PetersenDirector of Development
Greg WagnerDirector of Business and Economic Development
...and 10 more key personnel

Financials for WCI

RevenuesFYE 06/2024
Total grants, contributions, etc.$6,037,773
Program services$658,227
Investment income and dividends$1,642,491
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$1,349,632
Net income from fundraising events$73,891
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$0
Total revenues$9,762,014

Form 990s for WCI

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2024-062024-12-19990View PDF
2023-062023-11-10990View PDF
2022-062023-03-23990View PDF
2021-062021-12-06990View PDF
2020-062021-04-02990View PDF
...and 10 more Form 990s
Data update history
December 27, 2024
Received grants
Identified 4 new grant, including a grant for $30,000 from The Funders Network
November 23, 2024
Updated personnel
Identified 25 new personnel
September 21, 2024
Received grants
Identified 4 new grant, including a grant for $400,000 from Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation
July 10, 2024
Received grants
Identified 2 new grant, including a grant for $480,000 from Southwest Initiative Foundation
June 29, 2024
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
Nonprofit Types
Grantmaking organizationsSocial advocacy organizationsHuman service organizationsCharities
Issues
Human servicesCommunity improvement
Characteristics
Operates donor advised fundsProvides grantsLobbyingFundraising eventsState / local levelReceives government fundingEndowed supportCommunity engagement / volunteeringAuction fundraisersTax deductible donationsAccepts online donations
General information
Address
PO Box 318
Fergus Falls, MN 56538
County
Otter Tail County, MN
Website URL
wcif.org/ 
Phone
(218) 739-2239
Twitter profile
@wciminn 
IRS details
EIN
36-3453471
Fiscal year end
June
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
1986
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
P20: Human Service Organizations
NAICS code, primary
813319: Social Advocacy Organizations
Parent/child status
Independent
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