ANNUAL REPORT
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to pursue unique fundraising opportunities and increase private sector support to further the development, growth and excellence of the Fargo Park District in providing modernized facilities and quality recreation services
At a Glance FARGO PARKS
Since its founding in 2018, the Fargo Park District Foundation has generated more than $45 5 million in total community investment, including $34 7 million in direct contributions and $10 8 million in in-kind support, strengthening parks, programs, and community spaces across Fargo.
In 2025, the Fargo Park District Foundation received $321,105 in support, including $88,555 raised through Giving Hearts Day and $232,550 invested in Foundation-led projects, expanding access to parks, programs, and experiences across our community.
A word from our Executive Director
As we reflect on the past year, I am proud to share the continued growth and impact of the Fargo Park District Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, 2025 was a year defined by momentum marked by major milestones, expanded access, and record-setting community engagement.
This year, we celebrated the opening of Phase II of the Fargo Parks Sports Center, completing a project that has long represented the Foundation’s belief in the power of recreation to bring people together From the beginning, private support played a critical role in helping make this facility possible Today, with additional ice rinks, courts, pickleball space, and community amenities now open, the Sports Center stands as a lasting example of what can be achieved through collaboration and shared vision.
We also marked another major milestone with the opening of the redeveloped Island Park Pool in June. In its first summer of operation, the pool welcomed more than 64,500 visitors, making it the highest-attended season ever recorded at a Fargo Park District pool This extraordinary response reflects both the community’s enthusiasm and the lasting value of investing in accessible, modern public spaces Private generosity, led by the Kvalvog family and supported by many donors throughout the community, helped bring this beloved facility into a new era while honoring its legacy
Expanding access to recreation remained a central focus of the Foundation’s work in 2025. Our scholarship program continued to grow, now supporting youth, families, and adults alike. With increased funding and participation, scholarships helped remove financial barriers for hundreds of individuals, ensuring that cost is never an obstacle to staying active, connected, and engaged.
This year also marked an important step forward with the introduction of charitable gaming, creating a new funding stream to support future initiatives Proceeds from charitable gaming will help advance scholarships, adaptive athletic fields, inclusive playgrounds, park accessibility improvements, and mobility-accessible golf carts These investments that reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusion and opportunity for all.
As usage of parks, programs, and facilities continues to rise, so too does the importance of strong philanthropic support. The increased engagement we saw this year is a powerful reminder that when we invest in recreation, we invest in community health, connection, and quality of life
Thank you for your continued generosity and belief in the Fargo Park District Foundation Together, we are strengthening our parks and programs today while building a foundation that will serve our community for generations to come
Craig Bjur
With Gratitude, Executive Director Fargo Park District Foundation
Leading the way
Our work is guided by a dedicated staff and Board of Directors who ensure the Fargo Park District Foundation continues to serve the community with purpose and integrity Their leadership helps transform generosity into lasting community impact We’re excited to introduce the team behind the work.
President
Stacey Griggs Foundation Board Past President
Darren Dunlop Foundation Board Vice
Rock Messerschmidt
CELEBRATING
6 4 , 5 6 7 V I S I T O R S
A RECORD-SETTING SUMMER AT ISLAND PARK POOL
After opening in summer 2025, the redeveloped Island Park Pool quickly reestablished itself as a cornerstone of summer recreation in Fargo The project honors the legacy of a beloved community space while delivering a modern aquatic experience designed to serve residents of all ages for generations to come.
The transformation was made possible through a powerful combination of private generosity and community support. With total fundraising reaching $1,543,555, a seven-figure lead gift from Ray and Kathie Kvalvog, given in honor of their sons, Zach and Connor, played a pivotal role in bringing the project to life. Their leadership, along with contributions from many donors throughout the community, helped reimagine Island Park Pool as an inclusive, vibrant destination for play, competition, and connection
The Zach and Connor Kvalvog Family Competition Pool anchors the facility, featuring an eight-lane, 50-meter pool, diving platforms and boards, and the fan-favorite Fly Time Slide. Additional amenities, including leisure and family-focused features, have made the pool a destination for both daily recreation and competitive events.
In its first summer, Island Park Pool welcomed more than 55,000 visitors, marking the highest attendance recorded at any Fargo Park District pool. The community response reflects not only excitement for the new facility, but the lasting value of investing in accessible, community-centered spaces.
Zach & Connor
High Impact Giving
SCHOLARSHIPS
Since 1998, the Fargo Park District Scholarship Program has helped make participation in programs and activities accessible to all. Donor support plays a vital role in removing financial barriers, supporting youth wellness, and building a healthier community.
In 2025, scholarships helped hundreds of youth and adults participate in sports, classes, and programs they otherwise may not have been able to access.
592+
$85,894.00
FARGO PARKS
SPORTS CENTER
Phase II of the Fargo Parks Sports Center opened in January 2025, completing the facility with two ice rinks, four additional courts, six pickleball courts, a playground, and two new community rooms. These amenities increased capacity for programming, rentals, tournaments, and community partnerships, supporting a wide range of indoor sports and events for years to come
2 0 2 5 I M P A C T
19,405 Open Play Hours
15,908 Space Rental Hours
3,068 Park District Programming Hours
68 Organizational Rentals
81 Birthday Parties
37 Tournaments
12 Special Events
PHASE II
390,000+ sq ft of indoor space
123+ acres of outdoor space
8 hardwood courts
6 pickleball courts
6 community rooms
4 party rooms
3 multi-purpose rooms
2 sheets of ice
1 full-size turf field
1 elevated walking track
CHARITABLE GAMING
In 2025, the Fargo Park District Foundation expanded its fundraising efforts through charitable gaming, operating at four community locations including CJ’s Tavern, Kingpinz, Suite Shots, and Edgewood Tavern A variety of gaming options such as E-Tabs, Blackjack, Pull-Tabs, Bingo, and Raffles created an accessible, community-based way to support the Foundation’s mission
Proceeds from charitable gaming are designed to fully fund the Fargo Park District Scholarship Program across all programs In 2025, charitable gaming generated over $110,000 in support, helping strengthen long-term access to recreation opportunities for children and adults alike. If additional funds are available beyond scholarship needs, they may be directed toward other priority initiatives aligned with the Foundation’s mission
CHRISSY NELSON CHARITABLE GAMING MANAGER
Leave a Lasting Legacy
MEMORIALS, TRIBUTES & ENDOWMENTS
Celebrate the people and moments that matter most with a lasting tribute through the Fargo Park District Foundation. Commemorative benches and trees offer a meaningful way to mark milestones and memories while becoming part of the parks our community enjoys every day.
For those interested in long-term impact, establishing an endowment is another way to support the Foundation’s work. With $107,000 currently invested in endowment funds, these gifts create a reliable source of support for programs, scholarships, and park enhancements, helping ensure continued access, opportunity, and connection for future generations.
Celebrating Community Impact
In 2025, the Fargo Park District Foundation celebrated meaningful milestones driven by community generosity. From record-setting attendance at Island Park Pool to expanded scholarship access for youth, families, and adults, donor support continued to translate into real, measurable impact across our parks, programs, and facilities.
This year marked the opening of Phase II of the Fargo Parks Sports Center, a long-anticipated expansion made possible through generous private support. To honor this achievement, donors were welcomed to the facility to celebrate their role in bringing additional ice, courts, and community amenities to life
Community impact was also on display at the Fargo Park District Foundation Golf Tournament, which brought together 23 teams and raised $11,250 in support of the Fargo Parks Scholarship Program Together, these moments reflect the power of partnership and the impact of coming together to expand access to recreation and strengthen community spaces
