Divide County Institutions Receive $342K Gift

Retired engineer donates to medical center, scholarship fund, and public library

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:00am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a stack of old, worn books with a shallow depth of field, capturing the texture and materiality of the books in a serious, contemplative mood.A philanthropic gift from a longtime Divide County resident will provide crucial support to the region's public library, medical center, and scholarship program.Crosby Today

Three Divide County institutions in North Dakota will be sharing more than $340,000 recently gifted to them by 101-year-old retired aeronautical engineer George Phelps, who now lives in California. The donations include $171,000 to St. Luke's Medical Center in Crosby, $85,800 to Divide County Area Dollars for Scholars, and $85,000 to the Divide County Public Library.

Why it matters

The Phelps family has deep roots in Divide County, with George's father John H. Phelps serving as the first principal of the Crosby School and the county superintendent of schools. This generous gift will provide significant support to important community institutions in the region.

The details

George Phelps, who is 101 years old, recently decided to cash in some investments and donate the proceeds to three Divide County organizations. The donations include $171,000 to St. Luke's Medical Center in Crosby, $85,800 to the Divide County Area Dollars for Scholars program, and $85,000 to the Divide County Public Library.

  • George Phelps, now 101 years old, made the donations recently from his home in California.
  • John H. Phelps, George's father, moved to North Dakota in 1903 and later became the first principal of the Crosby School and the county superintendent of schools.

The players

George Phelps

A 101-year-old retired aeronautical engineer who now lives in California and recently donated over $340,000 to three Divide County institutions.

John H. Phelps

George Phelps' father, who moved to North Dakota in 1903 and later became the first principal of the Crosby School and the county superintendent of schools.

St. Luke's Medical Center

A medical center in Crosby, North Dakota that received a $171,000 donation from George Phelps.

Divide County Area Dollars for Scholars

A scholarship program in Divide County that received an $85,800 donation from George Phelps.

Divide County Public Library

The public library in Divide County that received an $85,000 donation from George Phelps.

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What they’re saying

“I had a chance to make an investment and I put some money away and decided recently to cash some money in and give it to Crosby.”

— George Phelps

The takeaway

This generous gift from a longtime Divide County resident demonstrates the power of philanthropy to support important community institutions and continue the legacy of a family's roots in the region.