About NVCI

Northwest Venture Communities Inc. (NVCI) is an organization that originated in spring of 2002. It was formed to coordinate a "grassroots" regional effort to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in an eight county area of North Dakota. This includes Burke, Bottineau, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Ward Counties and Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold of North Dakota.

Northwest Venture Communities Inc. refers to its regional endeavors as "Dakota Dreams, Partnering for Prosperity" because partners from across the region are being encouraged to dream and envision how we can work together to improve the quality of life and reduce poverty. The ideas will be utilized to develop a regional plan.

NVCI "Dakota Dreams, Partnering for Prosperity" was made possible when the Northwest Area Foundation of St. Paul Minnesota selected the region in North Dakota to take part in their Community Ventures program.

The Northwest Area Foundation is a private philanthropic organization located in St. Paul Minnesota. It was established in 1934 by Louis W. Hill, son of James J. Hill, founder of the Great Northern Railway. The Foundation is committed to an eight-state region including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. The Foundation's mission is to help communities in its eight-state region reduce poverty. Additional information about the Northwest Area Foundation is available at web site: www.nwaf.org.

The Northwest Area Foundation's Community Ventures program is a two phase program. In phase one, the Foundation is providing financial support for activities to develop regional plans. In phase two, the foundation may choose to form a long term partnership and provide additional assistance with implementation of a regional plan.

The NVCI "Dakota Dreams, Partnering for Prosperity" plan must include:

1. A focus on reducing poverty in our region. It should include a community definition of poverty and a potential to reduce poverty in the region.
2. Involvement of diverse interests and inclusiveness. Especially those who are challenged and traditionally not involved.
3. Do no harm. Assurance that implementing the plan will not harm the social, ecological, and cultural or economic well being of the community or another community.
4. Provide thoughtful and realistic strategies for accomplishing community goals. It should include a long range vision, effective strategies and benchmarks.
5. Develop and identify local abilities and resources to achieve long-term goals.
6. Adaptable to new knowledge and changing circumstances.

View the Board of Directors, formed to administer regional activities.