Community Funding Sources

Explore Outside Funding Sources

As the center for community giving, we strive to be a resource for our local charitable organizations. Beyond funding available through MACF, the sources below are other foundations, cooperatives, and community programs active in our region worth exploring for your organization’s next project.

External Funding Sources

Disclaimer (confirmed, add regardless of list): Grant programs, eligibility requirements, and deadlines may change. MACF provides this list as an informational resource and does not administer or guarantee funding from the organizations listed. Applicants should review the funder’s current guidelines before beginning an application.

MINOT & REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

AgCountry Working Here Fund — Reach: AgCountry service area. Best fit: Agriculture, hunger relief, rural communities, education and emergency services. Link: https://www.agcountry.com/about/community-involvement/working-here-fund-grants

AgriBank Rural Community Grant Fund — Reach: Eligible western North Dakota communities affected by mineral development. Best fit: Infrastructure, housing, health, safety, education and quality of life. Link: https://www.agcountry.com/about/community-involvement

Basin Electric Power Cooperative Charitable Giving — Reach: Basin Electric operating area. Best fit: Education, human services, public safety, community development. Link: https://www.basinelectric.com/about-us/social-responsibility/charitable-giving

CHS Foundation — Reach: Rural communities across CHS’s service area, including North Dakota. Best fit: Agriculture education, ag safety, farmer and rancher well-being, rural community vitality and basic needs. Link: https://www.chsinc.com/stewardship/

Farm Credit Services Rural Community Grant Fund — Reach: Western North Dakota. Best fit: Community infrastructure, housing, health, safety, emergency services, education and environmental projects. Link: https://www.agribank.com/rural-community-grant-fund/

MDU Resources Foundation — Reach: Communities served by Montana-Dakota Utilities and affiliated companies. Best fit: Human services, education, civic life, arts, culture and environment. Link: https://www.mdu.com/about-us/community-support/

Montana-Dakota Utilities Community Opportunity Fund — Reach: Communities served by Montana-Dakota Utilities. Best fit: Environmental education, conservation, community stewardship, recycling, natural resources and environmental projects. Link: https://www.montana-dakota.com/in-the-community/

Midco Foundation — Reach: Communities served by Midco, including Minot. Best fit: Projects, equipment, facilities and community programs. Link: https://midco.com/about/midco-foundation/

NDAD Grant Opportunities — Reach: North Dakota and directly adjacent border communities. Best fit: Adaptive recreation, disability services, accessibility, community programs and organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Link: https://ndad.org/services/grants/

Souris Valley United Way Community Grants — Reach: Bottineau, Burke, McLean, McHenry, Mountrail, Renville and Ward counties. Best fit: Education, health, financial stability and essential needs. Link: https://svunitedway.com/grants/

Walmart Spark Good Local Grants — Reach: Communities served by local Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities. Best fit: Local charitable and community needs. Link: https://walmart.org/how-we-give/program-guidelines/spark-good-local-grants-guidelines

Verendrye Electric Operation Round Up — Reach: Verendrye Electric service area. Best fit: Community benefit, human needs, public services and local projects. Link: https://verendrye.com/operation-round

STATEWIDE & REGIONAL FOUNDATION OPPORTUNITIES

Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation Impact Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Health and wellbeing. Link: https://www.bcbsnd.com/caring-foundation/grants

Bush Prize: North Dakota — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Exceptional community impact, collaboration and leadership. Link: https://strengthennd.com/

North Dakota Community Foundation Statewide Greatest Needs Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Broad charitable projects and programs. Link: https://www.ndcf.net/receive/grant-programs-how-to-apply.html

Otto Bremer Trust — Reach: North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin. Best fit: Basic needs, health, community assets, economic opportunity and emergency services. Link: https://ottobremer.org/grantmaking/our-grantmaking/

Xcel Energy Foundation — Reach: Xcel Energy service area, including North Dakota. Best fit: STEM education and career pathways, environmental sustainability, community vitality, economic opportunity and cultural programs. Link: https://corporate.my.xcelenergy.com/s/about/foundation

ARTS, CULTURE, HISTORY AND HERITAGE

Historic Preservation Fund Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Historic and cultural resource identification, planning and preservation. Link: https://www.history.nd.gov/hp/grantshpfund.html

North Dakota Arts in Education Collaboration — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Sustained pre-K–12 arts education partnerships. Link: https://www.arts.nd.gov/arts-education-0

North Dakota Council on the Arts — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Arts organizations, community arts, education and professional development. Link: https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants

State Historical Society Cultural Heritage Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Museums, exhibits, education, collections and capital improvements. Link: https://www.history.nd.gov/hp/grants.html

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY OF LIFE

North Dakota Destination Development Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Tourism, recreation, attractions, culture and quality of life. Link: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/services-assistance/grant-programs

North Dakota Outdoor Heritage Fund — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Conservation, habitat, soil, water, access and stewardship. Link: https://gf.nd.gov/private-lands/landowner-programs/outdoor-heritage-fund

North Dakota Partners in Planning Grant — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Comprehensive planning and economic diversification. Link: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/community-development-rural-prosperity/cdrp-resources/cdrp-grant-programs-4

Rural Catalyst Grant — Reach: Communities with populations of 4,500 or fewer. Best fit: Quality of life, economic development, health, education and essential services. Link: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/community-services/community-development-rural-prosperity/cdrp-resources/cdrp-grant-programs-6

Tourism and Community Enhancement Grants — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Tourism, infrastructure, historic preservation and community enhancement. Link: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/services-assistance/grant-programs

HEALTH, HUMAN SERVICES AND EARLY CHILDHOOD

Early Childhood Program Grants — Reach: Statewide, with some high-need geographic priorities. Best fit: Child care startup, expansion, infant/toddler capacity and workforce. Link: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/cfs/early-childhood-services/early-childhood-program-grants

North Dakota Health and Human Services Funding Opportunities — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Behavioral health, public health, aging, disability, children, families and prevention. Link: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/

North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Funding — Reach: Rural and Tribal communities statewide. Best fit: Healthcare access, prevention, workforce, technology and community wellbeing. Link: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding

FEDERAL AND GRANT-DISCOVERY RESOURCES

Grants.gov — Reach: Nationwide. Best fit: The official source for federal grant opportunities; most useful for established organizations that have completed federal registration and can manage extensive compliance and reporting. Link: https://www.grants.gov/

North Dakota Department of Commerce Grant Programs — Reach: Statewide. Best fit: Community development, tourism, energy, workforce, housing and economic development. Link: https://www.commerce.nd.gov/services-assistance/grant-programs

UND Center for Rural Health — Other Funding Opportunities — Reach: Statewide and national. Best fit: Rural health, EMS, wellness, behavioral health and community services. Link: https://ruralhealth.und.edu/grant-writing/other-funding-opportunities

USDA Rural Development — Reach: Eligible rural communities. Best fit: Facilities, housing, utilities, broadband, business, energy and essential services. Link: https://www.rd.usda.gov/

More Ways We Support Nonprofits

This is one of three ways MACF supports area nonprofits. See Agency Endowment Funds for building long-term financial stability through MACF directly, and Nonprofit Resources for other tools and support.

Not sure which funding source fits your project?

Contact Staci Kenney, Finance & Program Director