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

St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation presents $270,000 in grants for projects
March 2019 - Minot, N.D. - More than 200 people attended the 20th annual St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation Grant Awards Luncheon held on March 14. Grants totaling $270,000 were distributed to support a wide variety of area projects and the Twice Blessed grants,...

St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation launches Twice Blessed campaign
November 2018 - Minot, N.D. - St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation has announced the kick-off of its second annual “Twice Blessed” campaign, a matching grant program that will double contributions made to 23 area non-profit organizations starting today and going...

Sheriff’s department purchases AEDs with grant from St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation
March 2018 - Minot, N.D. - The Ward County Sheriff’s Department has been able to put more automated external defibrillators in its patrol cars thanks to a $4,800 grant from the St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation. There are now 16 cars equipped with the devices,...

The power of giving
April 2017 - Minot, N.D. - Providing hope for the future by strengthening communities defines the intended impact of St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation. Throughout Minot, the shelves of food pantries are being filled as shelters continue to prepare beds for...

Minot Dailly News editorial
March 2017 - For many Minoters, the sale of St. Joseph’s Hospital was not a positive moment in their lives, or in their view, in the history of Minot. It is a sore spot some just haven’t healed from. That was to be expected. Understood. Accepted. One of the more...

St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation awards $400,000 in grants
March 2017 - Minot, N.D. - St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation awarded $400,000 in grants, pledges and match grants to area organizations during its 18th annual Regional Grant Award Luncheon at the Grand Hotel in Minot. The foundation based in Minot is an...

Kenmare organizations receive $19,000
April 2015 - Kenmare, N.D. - Representatives of three Kenmare organizations attending a luncheon in Minot were recipients of $19,000 in grant money last Monday (March 23). Lisa Bartlett of Wheels and Meals, John Fetterhoff of the Kenmare/Mohall Safe Community...

Foundation giving grants
March 2014 - Minot, N.D. - It doesn’t have to be the Christmas season for the St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation to be in the spirit of giving. They will be awarding grants to area organizations for their annual luncheon of giving next week. The St. Joseph’s...

Medical staffs train on high-tech simulators
July 2012 – Garrison, N. D.- It’s the next best thing to the real situation. Training on human-like simulators – all to be better trained when it comes to the actual thing. And if response from this past week’s training session at the Garrison Memorial Hospital is any...

Mohall Ambulance Service awarded $4,000 from St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation
April 2012 - Mohall, N.D. - On March 22, 2012, the Mohall Ambulance Service with the Tolley and Lansford Ambulance Substations, was present a $4,000 check from the St. Joseph’s Community Health Foundation. The funds will be used to pay for 25 area ambulance attendant...