WILLISTON – The Northwest North Dakota Community Foundation has awarded grants from its Relief Fund to organizations supporting human services and access to food in Williams, Divide, McKenzie and Mountrail counties as a result of COVID-19 and energy industry pressures. This grant allocation brings the total committed from the Relief Fund to $97,000.

The most recent grant awards total $12,000 and reflect the priorities of human services support and health and safety:

– $2,000 to the Family Crisis Shelter to pay for hotel rooms for women and children in northwest North Dakota so they may escape domestic violence.

– $10,000 to Williston Schools in District #1 and #8, as well as St. Joseph’s Catholic School and Trinity Christian School, to purchase and provide personal protective equipment for students and classroom supplies.

The gift of $10,000 was made possible by Tom and Cheryl Powers through a pass-through gift to the Relief Fund.

Organizations and community groups working to meet needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic pressures are invited to submit an application for funding to support their cause. Applications are reviewed on a monthly basis.

Individuals and businesses seeking to support the NWNDCF Relief Fund can donate online at www.NWNDCommunityFoundation.org or by sending a check to: NWNDCF, PO Box 371, Williston, ND 58802-0371. All gifts to the NWNDCF Relief Fund are tax deductible.