North Dakota Grants for Nonprofits
Grants for North Dakota nonprofits address a wide range of focus areas, from health grants to the arts. Learn more about North Dakota funders with the Grant Finder search tool. Become a member.
Giving Trends in North Dakota
North Dakota, one of the least-populated states in the United States, has a population of about 780,000 as of 2022. The state has historically garnered major revenue from agriculture and fossil fuels; however, as the oil economy changes globally, services have become a larger part of North Dakota’s economy. Compared to other states, there are relatively few grantmakers based in North Dakota. That said, funders based in North Dakota tend to give locally. Just under 800 grantmakers collectively gave $205.4 million in grants for North Dakota in 2019, according to Candid.
With much of the state’s population living in rural areas, North Dakota grantmakers have developed strong practices in rural philanthropy. The North Dakota Community Foundation gives statewide and also manages 69 smaller, local community foundations that reach rural communities across the state. Education, health, religion, and community well-being are among the funding priorities of North Dakota grants.
Community foundations are an important source of grants for North Dakota, alongside some private and family foundations and corporate grantmakers. Leading funders of North Dakota grants include North Dakota Community Foundation, FM Area Foundation, United Way of Cass-Clay, MDU Resources Foundation, Dakota Medical Foundation, Barry Foundation, Dakota Medical Charities, Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Region, Tom and Frances Leach Foundation, and Offutt Family Foundation.
North Dakota Grantmakers
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GRAND FORKS, EAST GRAND FORKS, AND REGION
The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region supports arts and culture, community, human services, education, green spaces, human rights, workforce, infrastructure, community engagement, civic innovation, and women and girls in North Dakota.
FM AREA FOUNDATION
The FM Area Foundation supports arts and culture, basic human needs, community building, education in North Dakota and Minnesota.
TOM AND FRANCES LEACH FOUNDATION
The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation supports the arts and humanities, education, human services, medical sciences, health, and social sciences in North Dakota.
MINOT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The Minot Area Community Foundation supports basic needs, youth, hunger, recreation, and other community needs in the Minot area of North Dakota.
NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The North Dakota Community Foundation supports education, health, human services, housing, parks, arts and culture, and other community needs throughout the entire state of North Dakota.
ALEX STERN FAMILY FOUNDATION
The Alex Stern Family Foundation supports the arts, social welfare, human services, education, youth recreation, civic projects, and health in the Fargo-Moorhead area of North Dakota and Minnesota.
