Robert E. Herman Charitable Trust

Mission

To improve the lives of children, create opportunities for students, and enhance end of life care for the residents of North Dakota.

Annual application deadlines

August 1

Program areas

Education
Health
Human services

Program limitations

There are no program limitations; however, the trust has a practice of primarily supporting organizations that improve the lives of children, create opportunities for students, and enhance end of life care.

States served

North Dakota

Geographic limitations

North Dakota

Types of support

All

Population served

All

Committee members

Stacy Massey, Connie Teske, Steven Teske, December Herman, and Kyler Stafslien

The Robert E. Herman Charitable Trust supports organizations serving the residents of North Dakota that improve the lives of children, create opportunities for students, and enhance end of life care.

Requirements

• To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Applications must be submitted through the online grant application form or alternative accessible application designed for assistive technology users.

Limitations

The trust intends to limit the number of grants awarded each year to ensure that the grant amounts are meaningful to the scope of the selected projects. The minimum grant size is $500.

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round. Applications must be submitted by August 1 to be reviewed at the annual grant meeting that occurs in early September.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission. Grant decisions are generally communicated by 12/1 for applications received by the deadline.

Required agreements and reports

Except as otherwise specified when a grant is awarded, a progress report must be submitted within 6 months after receiving funds.

About the Foundation

Robert “Bob” E. Herman was a Williston, North Dakota businessman and owner of Herman Oil. He was born on December 8, 1934 in Olney, Illinois to local farmers Lawrence and Francis Shafer Herman. During his school years, he worked for his maternal grandfather in the family general store. There he acquired an interest in business and a strong work ethic.

Mr. Herman came to North Dakota in 1954 during the first area oil boom and worked on the oil rigs for a number of years. He married in 1955, and he and his growing family lived in many area towns while in the oil field, finally settling in Williston. There he began his career of self-employment and started Bob’s Standard Service in 1964. He sold that business in 1975 and purchased the Amoco Bulk Plant. This venture eventually grew to two bulk plants and two convenience stores, one in Williston and one in Medicine Lake, Montana, both known to the area as Herman Oil. He continued these businesses and actively served the needs of his customers, both in the oil industry and farm agriculture, until he retired in 2011. He enjoyed his career and all of the relationships he cultivated over the years, with family always at the core of his happiness.

Robert E. Herman died on October 26, 2013. His core beliefs in generosity and his encouragement for leadership in family and business will continue through the Robert E. Herman Charitable Trust for many years to come.