Best Community Health Grants in North Dakota

Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation

Since our inception in 1988, the Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation (AAMF) organization has expended over 2.5 million in the NE South Dakota and SE North Dakota area for medical equipment, medical scholarships, and healthcare delivery.

The general objectives of the corporation shall be to ensure the maintenance and the highest standards of healthcare in the Aberdeen area; to aid, assist, and promote healthcare facilities in the Aberdeen area; to promote research and provide facilities and equipment to that end; to assist in medical and healthcare education, both publicly and privately, and to promote legitimate healthcare objectives; to provide healthcare for those unable to provide for themselves; and generally do all things necessary to carry out the corporation’s objectives.

Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation Funding Requests

AAMF works to provide funding and benefits to healthcare, healthcare delivery, medical scholarships, and funding of medical equipment for charitable hospitals and ambulance services. They have furnished ambulance equipment for all of the small community and rural ambulance volunteers in Northeast South Dakota and Southeast North Dakota. AAMF serves an area bounded by Hwy 14 to the south, I-94 to the north, the Missouri River to the west, and the SD border to the east.

Funding requests can be made for medical equipment or health-related projects. The AAMF board meets twice per year in the spring and fall to review requests.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3)s, municipal entities, and school systems in North Dakota can receive up to US $10,000 to advance whole-person and community health initiatives. With a mission to improve health and well-being, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation supports behavioral health, social determinants of health, and health promotion or disease prevention projects, including community health education.

Organizations such as consumer advocacy groups, resident or family councils, CMS-certified long-term care facilities, veterans’ homes, tribal LTC facilities, and other eligible entities in North Dakota can apply for North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services CMP funds to improve nursing home residents’ quality of care or life. Projects may include resident relocation support, family council initiatives, or facility quality improvement efforts that also advance community health.

North Dakota 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups serving LGBTQ+ communities can access funding through Philanthrofund Foundation for events, conferences, and gatherings. Sponsorships support activities that build equity and networks in areas like education, leadership, holistic health, and advocacy across the upper Midwest, including community health-focused programming.

Legal services nonprofits, solo practitioners, and small law firms pursuing impact litigation on economic, environmental, racial, or social justice can apply for US $10,000 - US $50,000 recoverable grants from The Impact Fund. Funding supports out-of-pocket litigation costs, and North Dakota community health advocates may be eligible when cases address systemic harms affecting community well-being.

Public bodies, community-based nonprofits, and Federally Recognized Tribes in rural North Dakota can use this program to build, purchase, or improve essential community facilities and equipment. With a mission to strengthen rural communities, USDA: Rural Development provides support that can enhance health, safety, and community services, benefiting local community health and wellness.

Research institutions, universities, USDA-ARS, and agricultural extension conducting honey bee health and pollinator conservation research can seek US $5,000 - US $200,000 to improve bee health, nutrition, and productivity. Project Apis m. supports scientifically sound projects, and North Dakota community health and agriculture programs may benefit where pollination and crop production are impacted.

With a mission to strengthen communities, Otter Tail Corporation Foundation provides North Dakota 501(c)(3) organizations with funding for education, health and human services, community development, and environmental programs. Eligible nonprofits in designated counties can request project, operating, or capital support, including initiatives that improve community health and basic human needs.

North Dakota nonprofits focused on basic human needs, education, arts, community building, first responders, or behavioral health can access funding through Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation to serve local residents. Eligible projects must be located in or directly benefit Barnes, Griggs, or Ransom Counties and may include community health education and related initiatives.

Rural community-focused organizations in North Dakota can apply for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation’s BUILD grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $7,500 for projects improving health and well-being. Funding supports efforts addressing social determinants of health, including economic stability, education, healthcare access, neighborhood environment, and social and community context.

Nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations in western North Dakota can seek funding for infrastructure, housing, health, safety, environmental, medical facility, and educational projects, with awards up to Up to US $50,000. AgriBank’s Rural Community Grant Fund supports communities impacted by Bakken-region mineral development and may benefit groups offering community health education and services.

Librarians, students, and other individuals affiliated with NNLM Region 4 member institutions, including North Dakota, can receive US $2,500 for professional development in health information access, data science, or related skills. National Library of Medicine funding supports workshops, conferences, speakers, and training that strengthen community health information services, especially for underserved and underrepresented populations.

North Dakota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipal entities, and school systems can seek funding for new or expanding community health initiatives, including education, prevention, and access programs. With a mission to improve healthy lifestyles, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation provides US $15,000 - US $50,000 for innovative, replicable projects that enhance health access and opportunities.

North Dakota community health organizations focused on cancer or cardiovascular disease education, awareness, and support services can access funding through Bayer Fund if they are established 501(c)(3)s or eligible public entities. Eligible nonprofits must be near West Fargo and may include evidence-based programs serving patients, caregivers, at-risk populations, and related access-to-care needs.

Eligible organizations in North Dakota that run structured service programs can apply for Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps funding to recruit, train, and supervise members. Grants support initiatives addressing education, community health, disaster services, environmental stewardship, economic opportunity, and services for veterans and military families, and may benefit community health education efforts.

Nonprofit organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead area working on health issues, human services, or related community programs may be eligible for grants supporting local initiatives. Grants from Alex Stern Family Foundation help North Dakota community health, education, arts, youth recreation, and civic projects that benefit residents in Cass and Clay counties.

Nonprofit and public organizations in North Dakota can seek funding to run AmeriCorps service programs that address disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Grants from North Dakota Department of Commerce help community-focused groups expand volunteer-driven initiatives that may include community health education and related services.

Critical access hospitals and their owned or operated clinics in North Dakota can receive approximately US $270,000 to implement rural healthcare workforce retention strategies. Grants from North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services support incentives, childcare partnerships, wellness and burnout prevention, flexible staffing, housing or transportation assistance, and technology solutions that help sustain community health services in rural areas.

North Dakota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipal entities, and school systems serving maternal and perinatal health can apply for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation’s Maternal Health Grants, awarding US $5,000 for program support. Funding can back prenatal care, lactation support, postpartum mental health, and related community health education efforts for women and families.

Nonprofits, mission-oriented for-profits, and eligible housing entities in North Dakota working on equitable, affordable housing innovations can apply for Enterprise Community Partners’ national Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, offering US $2,000,000 grants. This competition supports proven, ready-to-scale solutions in design and construction, finance, or service delivery that expand affordable housing options and stability.

Rural and tribal community organizations in North Dakota can seek funding to develop community gardens that support healthier eating, community services, and rural health. North Dakota Health and Human Services offers approximately US $30,000 through this Rural Health Transformation Program opportunity, which may benefit groups providing community health education and wellness initiatives.

Community organizations and leaders in rural and Tribal North Dakota can apply to develop and deliver community-based walking programs that promote physical activity and healthy habits. Grants from North Dakota Health and Human Services support approximately US $125,000 in funding for about 20 programs to improve community health and well-being.

Focused on school-based community health education, North Dakota invites rural and Tribal K–12 schools, regional education associations, and school consortiums to develop Zero-Hour physical education initiatives. This approximately US $70,000 opportunity from North Dakota Health and Human Services supports improved physical fitness and rural health outcomes across the state.

Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation

The FM Area Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation created by and for the people of Cass County, North Dakota, and Clay County, Minnesota. The FM Area Foundation helps people give back to the causes they care about and ensures the community’s needs are addressed now and in the future. Working in partnership with individuals, families, businesses, and professional advisors, the FM Area Foundation manages more than 500 charitable funds and provides grants to qualified nonprofit organizations and causes.

Elmer & Kaya Berg Grant Round

The Elmer & Kaya Berg Grant Round honors a legacy of generosity rooted in supporting basic human needs, education, and health and wellness. Through the Elmer & Kaya Berg Giving Fund at the FM Area Foundation, this grant round continues their commitment by investing in organizations working in the areas they cared about most.

Guidelines

Nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for funding to support meaningful programs and projects in our community. Organizations may submit one application per calendar year and will be asked to choose a single focus area: Basic Human Needs, Education, Health & Wellness, or Suicide Education & Prevention. Funding is intended for specific, existing programs or projects rather than general operating support. If you’re unsure which focus area is the best fit, we encourage you to reach out before applying.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in North Dakota can seek funding for education, health and science, human services, and related community programs, including community health initiatives. With a mission to strengthen communities, Tom and Frances Leach Foundation provides program, operating, capital, scholarship, and endowment support, with a focus on the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota.

Schools, healthcare providers, and local economic or job development authorities in rural North Dakota can apply for the Center for Rural Health’s Scrubs Camp grants, awarding up to US $2,750 for interactive health career camps. Funding supports community health education activities that build awareness of rural health careers for students in grades 5–12.