The Devils Lake Area Foundation (DLAF) is a charitable community trust that was established in 1975. Local organizations appoint representatives from the community to serve on the Trustee Committee for a 5-year term. The members of the Committee provide oversight and decide how the earnings are to be used through grant applications. The 2026 members are Lori Pankratz (Ministerial Association), Kathy Thiessen (Kiwanis), Ruth McBride (Rotary), Ryan Yoder (Chamber of Commerce), Christy Remmick (Forward Devils Lake), Stacey Heggen (Lake Region Community Fund), and Joe Vetsch (appointed by District Court Judge).
The Committee met in June 2026 to review grant applications and to award funds. These grants are made possible by donations from charitable-minded individuals and organizations who give to DLAF. The donations are invested to generate earnings that can be distributed for worthy charitable purposes that advance the civic, educational, and cultural life in Devils Lake area. As these gifts are accumulated in the DLAF endowment funds, DLAF is able to help the community more with each passing year. During this awarding period, DLAF received grant applications totaling $127,777.17 with $66,381.82 available for distribution. Some of the recipients of this semi-annual awarding were Ann Carlsen Center for early developmental learning kits; Friends of Sheriff House Museum for updates such as basement floor paint, outdoor benches and wall panels for basement display; Ramsey County Fair Foundation for meeting room tables, and banquets and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church for grab bars for bathrooms, whiteboards for Sunday School classrooms and Philips Headstart AED. The Committee also funded important projects where one may not see physical improvements or items such as food for Senior Meals and Services, Progress Enterprises, Inc.-Freedom Center and Progress Enterprises, Inc.-Wildflower Sober Living & Recovery.
For more information or to contribute to the Foundation, please contact us at:
- www.devilslakeareafoundation.comor
- E-mail [email protected]or
- Call Stephanie Shock, Executive Secretary of the Foundation, at 665-2509