JDW Scholarship Mission

The JDW Scholarship was started in 2025 and is a component fund of the ND Community Foundation in Bismarck (www.ndcf.net). The NDCF is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) statewide public non-profit tax-exempt corporation that receives and distributes charitable funds to support a wide range of programs benefitting North Dakotans. As a component fund of the NDCF, the JDW Scholarship Fundraising Committee raise funds via the NDCF to provide annual scholarships to graduating ND high school students or ND college students who have lost a parent or legal guardian.


John believed strongly in advancing one’s education and had a passion for helping students learn about and understand finances and preparing for the future. John earned a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree and professionally was a financial planner with a local credit union. 

 

Losing a parent or guardian at any age is difficult and emotional. Losing a parent or guardian at a young age can present additional challenges – emotionally and financially for the student and surviving family.


According to the 2026 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model® (CBEM) National and State Reports released by the New York Life Foundation & Judi’s House / JAG Institute, 1 in 11 children in the U.S. will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. ND statistics are similar, with 1 in 11 children experiencing the death of a parent or sibling by age 18. This represents 16k or 8.8% of children in ND. Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model (CBEM) - Judi's House


To honor and memorialize John, family and friends started the scholarship to provide post-secondary education opportunities and financial assistance to ND students who have lost a parent or legal guardian.


‘2025-26 was the first year for the JDW Scholarship. Between the Prom-O-Ween fundraising event and with other direct JDW Scholarship donations via the ND Community Foundation, the Scholarship Fund raised over $24,000. The JDW Scholarship Committee received 35 applications and awarded 14 scholarships ranging from $1000 to $3500 each for a total of $24,000 awarded to ND students for the 2026-2027 academic year.’