External Funding Sources

This is only a partial list of external funders. For additional funders, please open the PDF titled 50 Top North Dakota Foundations.

Government Arts Funding

North Dakota

1. North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) – www.state.nd.us/arts/grants/grants.htm
NDCA offers a number of programs that provide financial support to organizations and individuals. For a list of programs and application guidelines and forms, please consult the website.

2. North Valley Arts Council (NOVAC) – www.novac.org/files/regrant.htm
The Re-grant Program supports nonprofit arts and cultural organizations for projects taking place between March 1 and Feb 28. The application deadline is January 9th of a given year. You can find word and PDF forms at this website.

National
1. National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) – www.arts.gov/grants/apply/index.html
NEA has a number of programs that provide funding for projects. To view available funding you can click on the pertinent discipline or field listed on this page. Currently, because North Dakota is seen as an area of artistic need, submissions from our region have a slightly higher than national rate of success.

2. National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) – www.neh.gov/grants/index.html
On this page you will find NEH grants listed by categories. The categories most likely for our activities include:  Challenge Grants, Research Programs, Education Programs and Federal/State Partnership Grants. For specific program information, select the category of interest.

Private Foundations
North Dakota/Regional Foundations
1. Fargo-Moorehead Area Foundation – www.areafoundation.org
Funds projects concerned with:  Arts and Culture, Civic Improvements, Education, Youth, Health and Human Services. All applicants must submit a Letter of Interest regarding their project to the FMAF offices by February 1, 2005. The Grants Distribution Committee will review all Letters of Interest. The committee will select Letters of Interest from which they will invite full grant proposals. Invitations to submit full grant proposals will be issued by March 1, 2005. Full grant proposals must be received by the FMAF office on or before April 1, 2005.

2. The Tom and Frances Leach Foundation – www.leachfoundation.org/Tom_Leach.htm
Funds projects concerned with: Arts and Humanities, Education, Human Services, Medical Sciences and Health, and Social Sciences. Requests for grant funds must be made annually prior to July 31 by a grant application form, which requires various information and several appendices, together with a covering letter. This foundation makes financial contributions to organizations in Mid-Central USA which are qualified as charitable, religious, scientific, or educational.

3. MDU Resources Group Inc. – www.mdu.com/the_vision/vision_foundation.htm
Funds projects concerned with: Culture and Arts, Civic and Community Activities, Education, Environment, and Health and Human Services. Applicants can obtain a grant request form by written request to MDU Resources Foundation, P. O. Box 5650, Bismarck, ND 58506-5650.
To be considered, all requests must be in writing and contain the following:

    1. A completed grant request form;
    2. A cover letter explaining the request and containing any additional information which will
        be helpful in evaluating the request; and,
    3. A copy of an IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

4. Myra Foundation – no website
P.O. Box 13536, Grand Forks, ND 58208-3536
Funds projects concerned with:  Aging, Arts, Health, Higher Education, Human and Youth Services. The foundation’s giving is restricted to Grand Forks County. The board meets quarterly. There is no application form or deadline. Submit a letter explaining your request.

5. The North Dakota Community Foundation – www.ndcf.net/index.html
The Board funds a wide variety of activity, and looks at each project on its merits. Please submit a concise letter proposal not to exceed two (2) pages describing the organization, the project, the approximate project cost and the amount to be requested from NDCF — only one request per agency per year. Since NDCF serves organizations statewide, grants normally do not exceed $2,000. These letter proposals must be received by NDCF no later than August 15. NDCF does not accept fax or email letter requests. Mail Letter Requests to:
North Dakota Community Foundation
PO Box 387
Bismarck, ND 58502-0387

 

CORPORATE FOUNDATIONS AND GIVING PROGRAMS

1. Ecolab Community Grants – www.ecolab.com/companyprofile/foundation
Funds projects concerned with: Youth and Education, Arts and Culture, Civic and Community Development, the Environment and Conservation. Grants are awarded in the fall. Applications must be submitted by October 14 of a given year. To apply for a grant you must first email the Ecolab Foundation for application information at:  ecolabfoundation@ecolab.com