About Us
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation was founded on the principles of responding in a just manner to basic human needs; it is the legacy of the Sisters of St. Francis who arrived in Minot in 1914. Their mission of caring for an individual as a whole still resonates today.
The mission of INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation is to promote healthy and sustainable communities by providing financial gifts, strengthening collaborative relationships and supporting local initiatives that impact the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of residents in the counties of Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Sheridan, Ward and Wells.
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation also serves as a resource and catalyst to promote and stimulate voluntary financial support especially in the building of endowments that will address the long-term needs of communities in North Dakota.
History
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) public charity community foundation formed in June 1998. INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation has awarded over $15.3 million in grants to organizations for many worthwhile projects to assist with programs that address quality of life in our communities. More information can be found at inspiritnd.com or by contacting INSPIRITUS President, Shelly Weppler at sjchf@minot.com or 837-1726.
“No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it to anyone else”
-Charles Dickens
Board of Directors
Katelyn K. Denne, Chair
Minot
Tom Miller, Vice-Chair
Minot
James English, Treasurer
Harvey
Megan Hogue, Secretary
Minot
Marisa Asheim, OD
Minot
Rick Beall
Minot
Lori Berentson
Westhope
Michael Buseth
Minot
Dawn Fitzgerald
St. John
Amber Francis
Velva
Jane Hirst
Minot
Melissa Messerly, MD
Garrison
NOTE: Board members do not accept solicitations for grant funds. Please contact the INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation office.
Staff
Shelly C. Weppler, President
Cheri Qvale, Executive Assistant, Operations Specialist
Minot
About Us
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation Presidents Report 24-25
2024-25 ICHF Presidents report_ final
Minot State University Nursing Scholarship Recipients
September 2025 - Minot, N.D. Congratulations to Braya, Kinley, Kiya, Mariah, and Abby! Each are recipients of a $2000.00 INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation (ICHF) Nursing Scholarship to Minot State University. Each year INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation...
GSHS Foundation
October 2025 - Rugby, N.D. A Heartfelt Thank You Back in June, our new EMS Quick Response Unit (QRU) officially hit the road, enhancing emergency care for Rugby and the surrounding communities. While the vehicle has already been making a difference on countless calls,...
INSPRITIUS Community Health Foundation accepting grant applications for projects in 11 counties
April 2025 - Minot, N.D. - INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025-26 grant cycle. Applications for regular grants and participation in the Twice Blessed grant program will be accepted through Friday, August 15, 2025. “During our...
INSPRITIUS Community Health Foundation helps Red Cross launch volunteer program at MAFB
April 2025 - Minot, N.D. - A grant from INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation has helped American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region launch a new volunteer program in support of the 5th Medical Group (5 MDG) at Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota. “The Red Cross...
A legacy gift keeps on giving
April 2025 - Minot, N.D. - Providing financial hope for the future by strengthening a community’s well-being defines the intended impact of INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation, formerly St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation. The foundation operates under the...
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation grant funds suicide alertness training
March 2025 - Minot, N.D. - LivingWorks safeTALK suicide prevention training will take place March 21 from 1 to 4 pm at the Minot Public Library, 516 2nd Ave. SW. The event hosted by FirstLink and funded by a grant through INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation, is...
Local charities receive $1.5 million in INSPIRITUS grants
January 2025 - Minot, N.D. - Grants totaling more than $1.36 million were given to support a variety of area projects at INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation’s 8th annual Twice Blessed grant award ceremony.Twice Blessed is a matching gift program to double...
Grant helps Ward County students
January 2025 - Minot, N.D. - INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation has given Ward County Schools $3,000 for the purchase of personal hygiene supplies for students. The Foundation also is providing additional dollars to Minot Public School Foundation for its...
INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation awards grants, launches 2024-25 Twice Blessed
November 2024 - Minot, N.D. - Grants totaling $146,025 were awarded to support area projects at the INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation’s grant luncheon Thursday. Grants are provided to organizations for projects that impact the mental, physical, spiritual and/or...