Best Grants for Youth Programs in North Dakota

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The Creag Foundation, established in 2009 in Woodinville, Washington, provides funding to innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations addressing social issues. Focused on smaller organizations, the foundation seeks to support those with unique approaches to improve the human condition. Eligible applicants must have held 501(c)(3) status for at least one year and present a new or previously unaddressed solution to societal challenges. Applications are by invitation only, encouraging creativity and passion in charitable work.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

With a mission to support innovative social impact, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides North Dakota youth services and other early-stage organizations with up to US $300,000 over three years in capital plus intensive capacity-building support. Eligible nonprofits and impact-first for-profits must serve underserved communities, operate in the U.S., and demonstrate scalable, measurable impact.

The Global Impact Cash Grants by Cisco Systems Foundation support innovative early-stage solutions aimed at addressing significant social problems. Targeting nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations, these grants focus on four key sectors: crisis response, education, economic empowerment, and climate regeneration. Eligible organizations must demonstrate alignment with these areas, particularly serving underserved communities. The foundation seeks to leverage technology for impactful solutions, ensuring sustainability and community resilience through strategic investments.

Focused on safety, education, and community development, this program invites North Dakota educational institutions, government entities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(4) volunteer fire companies to seek support for youth-serving initiatives. Funding from State Farm Companies Foundation may benefit K–12 academics, STEM, college and career pathways, community safety, and neighborhood revitalization efforts involving young people.

Youth-serving arts and culture nonprofits in North Dakota can seek more than US $100,000 to support impactful programs in the arts and sciences. William Randolph Hearst Foundation funds established U.S. 501(c)(3) institutions such as museums, theaters, symphonies, ballets, and arts schools, with a focus on arts education, artist development, and STEAM programs engaging young people.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running proven youth development or other social service programs, including those serving North Dakota, can apply for more than US $100,000 to expand effective, scalable services. Focus areas for the Hearst Foundation include youth development, job training, affordable housing, food access, reentry, legal services, and other poverty-alleviation efforts.

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation provides grants to organizations focused on improving the lives of children in urban poverty in the U.S., India, and South Africa. They prioritize projects in education, health, and family economic stability. Grants typically do not exceed 25% of a project's budget or 10% of an organization's annual expenses. The foundation seeks to partner with organizations already making an impact, ensuring funding supports impactful social enterprises.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth, children, and families through education, poverty relief, health, or related services can apply for grants that create tangible, meaningful impact in Southern U.S. communities. Grants from Robinson Foundation help youth-focused programs, including those similar to North Dakota initiatives, that have operated for over three years and seek single-year project support.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - North Dakota

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Youth-serving robotics teams in North Dakota can access funding through John Deere Foundation to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, especially those in Cass or Barnes counties. Eligible teams must be school- or 501(c)(3)-based (or registered charities in Canada), meet underserved, underrepresented, or rural criteria, or have committed John Deere mentors providing substantial volunteer support.

Nonprofit organizations running youth programs in North Dakota can seek US $1,000 - US $20,000 to support educational, cultural, skills-training, and community-based initiatives. Grants from Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation help U.S. youth services, schools, museums, and related organizations fund projects where modest awards can make a significant impact.

Youth STEM teams in North Dakota connected to FIRST LEGO League Explore can seek funding to support underserved or underrepresented students in STEM. Focused on STEM/STEAM education, John Deere Foundation prioritizes teams near Fargo or Valley City or those with committed John Deere employee mentors and strong diversity, equity, and inclusion engagement.

North Dakota youth STEM teams affiliated with schools or 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding through John Deere Foundation to participate in FIRST LEGO League Discover and related FIRST programs. Eligible teams are near John Deere communities or have active John Deere mentors and primarily serve underserved, underrepresented, or rural students in STEM fields.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

The Nordstrom Community Grant focuses on supporting youth and families by providing over $1 million in grants annually. It aims to assist grassroots organizations that address essential community needs such as food, shelter, and clothing, as well as creating opportunities for economic mobility through mentorship and workforce development. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits located in areas where Nordstrom operates. Applications are encouraged for those meeting these criteria.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Nonprofit organizations serving youth and families in the Fargo-Moorhead area of North Dakota can seek funding for arts, education, youth recreation, health, human services, and civic projects. Grants from Alex Stern Family Foundation help North Dakota youth programs and related community initiatives address local social, cultural, and health needs; contact the Program Manager to confirm eligibility.

North Dakota youth-serving schools, nonprofits, and public agencies can seek support to enhance music education for children 18 and under in Grand Forks County. Focused on music education, the Community Foundation of Grand Forks invites 501(c)(3) organizations, public agencies, and fiscally sponsored groups to fund school music programs, youth ensembles, instruments, and related educational activities.

Youth-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in North Dakota working on education, youth development, housing, food security, or environmental programs can apply for Chick Fil A Foundation’s True Inspiration Awards, with grants of US $30,000 - US $350,000. Organizations serving underserved youth through leadership, academic enrichment, hunger relief, or community and environmental initiatives may be eligible.

Youth-serving and community organizations in North Dakota can seek funding to develop community gardens that support nutrition, healthy eating, and rural health. North Dakota Health and Human Services supports community and youth programs, including 4-H, schools, after-school programs, civic groups, tribal entities, and other nonprofits, to create local garden projects that improve health outcomes.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services' vision is focused on North Dakota becoming the healthiest state in the nation. HHS Mission Statement: HHS fosters positive, comprehensive outcomes by promoting economic, behavioral, and physical health, ensuring a holistic approach to individual and community well-being. Our mission underscores the incredible work that is already underway across HHS today. It reflects our commitment to keep the well-being of individuals and communities at the forefront of our efforts. 

Ensuring Safety Net Service Delivery Grant

The Ensuring Safety Net Service Delivery funding opportunity aims to fill gaps in the health and behavioral health service delivery systems. This will improve North Dakota’s health care safety net, the system of providers and programs ensuring health care access for vulnerable populations, including those living in rural areas and needing specialized care. This is identified in Initiative 3: Bring High-Quality Health Care Closer to Home of North Dakota’s RHTP. Proposed projects eligible for this funding opportunity are:

• Technical assistance, training, planning and infrastructure development or equipment and remodeling for providers aiming to fill a gap in the current continuum of care. Examples may include:
  • medically managed withdrawal management services
  • youth and adult partial hospitalization/day treatment programs
  • behavioral health crisis response
  • pediatric and ventilator beds
  • obstetric care
  • home-based services
• Technical assistance, training, equipment and remodeling for providers expanding outreach and telehealth supports for underserved communities. Examples may include:
  • telehealth equipment
  • development of outreach models
  • mobile clinics
  • virtual care rooms for telehealth visits 

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award honors exemplary nonprofit organizations in the U.S. that foster collaborative partnerships across sectors. Annually, a national competition showcases numerous organizations demonstrating impactful community partnerships. Six organizations receive recognition, including the Thomas J. Moran Award, which offers $100,000, and the Frances R. Hesselbein Award, granting $75,000. Since 1996, the award has acknowledged 262 partnerships, emphasizing Mutual of America's commitment to societal improvement through collaboration.

North Dakota youth-serving nonprofits, schools, and charitable groups running programs for girls can access funding through Minot Area Community Foundation to build character, confidence, leadership, and life skills. Eligible projects must serve girls or young women in designated northwest counties and be operated by, or partnered with, a qualified charitable entity.

Youth robotics teams in North Dakota participating in FIRST programs can apply for John Deere Foundation support to cover FIRST LEGO League Challenge registration and related STEM activities. Eligible teams must be school- or 501(c)(3)-based, serve primarily underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth, and be near designated John Deere Inspire communities or have a committed John Deere employee mentor.