FARGO — Less than two months after North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced enforcement action against the F5 Project, supporters gathered at a lively fundraising dinner on Thursday to celebrate the nonprofit’s mission and to hear CEO Adam Martin’s outlook for the future.
Staff dedication praised amid turbulence
Martin opened the evening by praising the professionalism of the organization’s staff during a year marked by intense media scrutiny and a state audit. “I can’t imagine what it was like reading the headlines and still coming to work, but you didn’t stop,” he said. “Nobody left, and that means a lot to me, and it inspired me to keep showing up every day.”
Key leaders credited for turning the ship around
He singled out Chief Operating Officer Jenna Mueller for steering the group out of a major financial crisis after she was hired, and Chief Development Officer Scott College, whom Martin called his “ride‑or‑die.” Martin thanked the newly reconstituted board, noting that its members joined knowing the organization’s challenges and are now focused on preventing a repeat of past mistakes.
Accountability measures put in place
Following revelations that former leaders had taken illegal, zero‑interest personal loans from the nonprofit, Martin announced a series of new safeguards: third‑party financial controls, a board with business and data expertise, and stricter internal policies. “We fixed it – Jenna fixed it. We have third‑party financial controls now, and we have a board of directors with a background in business, policy, and data,” he said.
Donor support remains strong despite setbacks
Martin told attendees that the majority of F5’s donors have continued to give, and that the organization actually gained more supporters than it lost during the public controversy. However, he cautioned that the nonprofit is not yet fully financially stable. “We’re still digging out of the dirt where we used to be. We rely on contracts, donations, and grants,” he explained, noting that the Akisni Warrior Lodge program at James River Correctional Center lost grant funding eleven months ago.
Looking ahead with faith and optimism
Throughout the event, former participants shared stories of securing housing, employment, and family reunification thanks to F5’s assistance, underscoring the nonprofit’s impact on the community. Martin concluded with a hopeful message: “We’re in a better place than we were at the beginning of the year. We will comply, as we have been, and we will not die.”
The fundraiser highlighted both the challenges and the resilience of a local organization dedicated to helping those transitioning from incarceration, addiction, and abuse back into productive, family‑centered lives.
Original reporting: InForum (Fargo section) — read the source article.
