The North Dakota United Foundation (formerly the ND Education Association Foundation) is the charitable nonprofit affiliate of North Dakota United, a North Dakota labor union for employees working in public education and related services comprised of members of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers. ¹

Background

The North Dakota United Foundation is the nonprofit affiliate of North Dakota United, a labor union for professionals working in public education and related services formed in 2013 following the merger of the North Dakota Education Association (NDEA) and North Dakota Public Employees Association, the membership of which is comprised of individuals belonging to the National Education Association or American Federation of Teachers. The foundation, initially an affiliate of the NDEA, predates the merger by about seven years, and was originally established under the name “ND Education Association” as a charitable nonprofit organization in February 1995. ^{2 3 1 4}

Activities

Scholarship Programs and Grants

The North Dakota United Foundation offers a variety of scholarships and grants for educators, public employees, and students who are members or dependents of members of North Dakota United. For instance, the foundation maintains the Holland Family Experiential Learning Grant for members developing or presenting experiential learning programs; the Dr. Joanne Pearson Fine Arts Grant for members or groups of members aiming to enhance arts education at the elementary or secondary level; the Fern Pokorny Education Scholarship for graduates of a North Dakota state high schools pursuing undergraduate degrees in elementary education at Dickinson State University; and the Harris and Arlyce Widmer Family Business Education Scholarship for members and dependents of members pursuing either undergraduate or graduate education in the field of business education. ⁵

In May 2024, the foundation announced that over 50 members of North Dakota United and their dependents would receive over $37,000 in scholarships and grants from the organization. ⁵

Programming

In partnership with the North Dakota United professional development team, the North Dakota United Foundation provides union members with free coursework on book studies, educational ethics, employment negotiation, and independent study. ⁵

Day of Professional Learning

In partnership with the North Dakota State Teachers of the Year chapter, the North Dakota United Foundation hosts an annual “Day of Professional Learning” for former Teacher of the Year finalists at the North Dakota State Capitol where participants network and offer advice to the North Dakota Governor’s Task Force on Teacher Retention and Recruitment. ⁵

Fund Administration

The North Dakota United Foundation administers funds for the Minot Education Association’s Fund for the Improvement of Education and the Oakes Education Scholarship Fund. ⁵

Leadership

As of 2025, Lisa Wolf was the president of the North Dakota United Foundation’s board of directors and was working as a teacher at public schools in Minot, North Dakota. Previously, Wolf was a legal assistant at Olson Burns, president of the Minot Education Association, and a Democratic member of the North Dakota House of Representatives representing the state’s 3rd district. Additionally, Wolf was an advisory board member of the Adult Learning Center in North Dakota, vice president of the Minot Education Association, member of the Minot Public Schools Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, North Dakota state president of the National Association of Legal Professionals, board member of the North Dakota Education Association, and board member of the Youth Women’s Christian Association. ^{5 6}

As of 2025, Karen Askerooth was the secretary of the North Dakota United Foundation’s board of directors. She is a former president of North Dakota United.  ^{7 5}

As of 2025, Gary Feist was the treasurer of the North Dakota United Foundation’s board of directors as well as the vice president of public employees for North Dakota United, a tax auditor in the office of the North Dakota State Tax Commissioner, and president of the North Dakota Public Employees statewide local. Previously, he was the president of the North Dakota Public Employees Association. ^{8 5}

As of 2025, Brenda Seehafer was serving as the vice president of the North Dakota United Foundation as well as the director representing North Dakota with the National Education Association, a member of North Dakota United’s board of directors, and president of the Rolla Education Association. ^{9 7}

As of 2025, Mandalyn Rambaousek was the chief financial officer of the North Dakota United Foundation. Previously, she was a financial analyst at MDU Resources Group and MDU Construction Services Group; associate accountant at Brady, Martz, and Associates; and a teller at United Valley Bank. ^{5 10 7}

As of 2025, Chad Oban was the executive director of the North Dakota United Foundation as well as the executive director of North Dakota United. ^{11 7}

1. “Purpose and Power in Community.” North Dakota United. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/about#:~:text=North%20Dakota%20United%20(NDU)%20was,February%202013%20for%20the%20merger.
2. ND Education Association Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2007. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/display_990/363779023/2008_02_EO%2F36-3779023_990EZ_200708
3. “North Dakota United Foundation.” ProPublica. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363779023
4. “Helping Our Members Grow in Their Professions.” North Dakota United. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/foundation
5. “2024 Foundation: Year in Review.” North Dakota United. December 2024. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/news-media-center/united-voices/all-news-articles/2024-foundation-year-review
6. “Lisa Wolf’s Biography.” VoteSmart. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/58735/lisa-wolf
7. North Dakota United Foundation. Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax. (Form 990), 2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363779023/202500579349300615/full
8. “Vice Presidents.” North Dakota United. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/about/our-leaders/vice-presidents
9. “NEA Director.” North Dakota United. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/about/our-leaders/nea-director
10. “Madalyn Rambousek.” The Org. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://theorg.com/org/north-dakota-united/org-chart/madalyn-rambousek
11. “Executive Director.” North Dakota United. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://ndunited.org/about/our-leaders/executive-director