WHO WE ARE
The Larks Community FUNd is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 2022, dedicated to inspiring and uniting Central North Dakota by providing grants toward impactful programs! The FUNd focuses on supporting youth and families through access to sports, education, and positive life experiences. To date, it has donated over $100,000 to programs that directly benefit children, families, and the organizations that serve them. Dollars are raised mainly through sponsorships, events, raffles and auctions, individual donations, and endowment giving.
OUR MISSION
To impact youth and families within Larks Nation by providing access to sports, scholarships, educational opportunities, and positive life experiences.
John
Bollinger
John Bollinger
John Bollinger is the Founder, Co-Owner, and CEO of the Bismarck Larks, Minot Hot Tots, and Funatix Events. He believes in the power of fun to help families and children create core positive memories with loved ones and their community.
Under John’s leadership, the Larks have become one of the Northwoods League’s most celebrated teams, having earned multiple Organization of the Year honors and national recognition as a top employer in sports.
In addition to his work with the Larks, John founded Funatix Events, a local event company that helps elevate community and private experiences through partnerships with events like the Bismarck Marathon, Mandan Rodeo Days, the North Dakota Governors Cup and more. In addition to the Larks Community FUNd, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation.
John lives in Bismarck with his wife Marcie, their daughters Teddi and Alina, and their two dogs, Lillian and Walt.
Julie
Bosch
Julie Bosch
A founding member of the Larks Community FUNd and co-owner of the Bismarck Larks, Julie Bosch helped to start this nonprofit organization to ensure every child has an opportunity to be included and involved in sports and activities to enrich their lives. Julie and her husband Glenn rarely miss a home game with their children and grandchildren. Family is core to Julie’s life, and supporting children is her greatest achievement. She also serves as the President of Team Kaizen, a nonprofit youth group which promotes healthy lifestyles, positive self-esteem, peer support, and adult mentorship.
todd
porter
Todd Porter
Todd Porter has spent more than 25 years representing North Dakotans in the State House of Representatives. He currently serves as the chairman of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. As the owner/director of Metro Area Ambulance, Porter devotes himself to serving his community with compassion, integrity, and excellence. With additional involvement in the Elk’s Club, Pheasants Forever, Greater North Dakota Chamber and more, Porter brings a wealth of experience and a heart for giving back to his role on the Larks Community FUNd board.
Heather
Nelsen
Heather Nelsen
Throughout Heather Nelsen’s decade as Marketing and Community Events Coordinator with McQuade Distributing, she has extensive experience building impactful community events that bring people together under a shared mission. Now serving as the Vice President of the LCF Board, Heather is constantly generating ideas, building new relationships, and sharing the message to further the FUNd’s mission. Heather volunteers with several nonprofits that are close to her heart, and has created iconic events in the Bismarck community.
Spencer
Gillund
Spencer Gillrud
Spencer Gillund is a former collegiate baseball player and proud member of the inaugural and 2018 Bismarck Larks rosters. Now a member of the SCHEELS marketing team, Spencer is extremely active in the community and youth sports of all kinds. Spencer believes positivity and teamwork can be transformative for young people. His philosophy will be powerful as he supports the LCF board in programming, digital marketing strategy, and event planning.
Grant
Zinke
Grant Zinke
A leader in operational excellence, Grant Zinke brings a unique perspective to the Larks Community FUNd board from Sanford Health. He will support the LCF board’s fundraising and community outreach efforts, having many years of experience supporting other foundations on these projects. Grant is personally motivated by ensuring equal access to sports and developmental opportunities for young people given the increasingly competitive nature of sports programs in Bismarck-Mandan.
Matt
Power
Matt Power
As a father of two boys active in sports and a baseball coach of more than 25 years, Matt Power’s passion for supporting kids and their access to sports and education is quite personal. Matt joins the LCF board as a Private Banking Business Development Officer with Starion Bank and will be instrumental in guiding fundraising efforts, across donation requests and events. Matt is focused on utilizing his strong relationships with community leaders and past board experience to grow the LCF mission and impact more kids and their families.
Matt
Chuppe
Matt Chuppe
A lifelong Bismarck resident, Dr. Chuppe, D.C., brings a deep passion for youth sports and extensive community service experience to the Board of Directors. For over 30 years, he has contributed to the growth of local athletics as both a former youth baseball player and coach. Professionally, he has dedicated his career to helping community members as a chiropractor, including serving as an official chiropractor of the Bismarck Larks for the past (4) years. His commitment to community enrichment is further demonstrated by (5) years of service on the board of the Bismarck Quarterback Club, where he actively fundraised for high school athletics. Driven by the belief that every child should have the opportunity to participate in sports, he looks forward to leveraging his background to expand athletic access and create lasting, positive impacts for local youth through his participation as a Board Member of The FUNd.
Hope
Melchoir
Hope Melcloir
Hope Melchoir joins the LCF board with a special passion for promoting educational opportunities and building community. As Gateway to Science’s STEM Education Specialist, Hope is committed to ensuring every student in North Dakota has access to learn about themselves and the world around them. As an on-field host for the Larks, she dedicates her free time to spreading positivity and creating core memories at the ballpark. Hope also brings years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit advocacy, along with leadership skills gained through the state’s pageantry system. The board is grateful for her enthusiasm, deep community connections, and genuine commitment to impacting today’s youth in her role planning events and growing reach on social media.
Kloe
Medick
Kloe Medick
Bringing a professional background in marketing, community engagement, and relationship building from Farmers Union Insurance, Kloe focuses on strengthening community connections and finding meaningful ways to involve more people in the Larks Community FUNd’s mission. A lifelong volunteer and passionate advocate for the local baseball community, Kloe has seen firsthand the positive impact sports can have on kids. Looking ahead, Kloe is excited to leverage this foundation to create new opportunities that foster connection, build confidence, and support the overall well-being of all youth, while growing the FUNd’s impact on families and the broader community.
DeAnna “Dee”
Gratz
Dee Gratz
DeAnna “Dee” brings nearly 25 yrs of insurance industry experience—including a decade in management— leveraging her expertise in communication, relationship-building, and leadership to advance the objectives of the Larks Community FUNd. Having navigated the challenges of raising children, she is deeply driven by the core belief that every child deserves the opportunity to participate, build confidence, and belong, regardless of financial barriers. Her work focuses on raising awareness, expanding community partnerships, and growing sustainable financial resources so that more families can access life-changing extracurricular activities for years to come.
