Best Grants for After School Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota organizations running agricultural education, youth leadership, or career training programs can seek support for projects serving high school students through young professionals. CHS Foundation supports ag leadership and cooperative education that build a diverse talent pipeline and awareness of the cooperative business model, with priority for regional or national programs impacting multiple eligible states.

North Dakota K–12 programs, schools, nonprofits, and public agencies working on traffic safety, driver education, or financial literacy can seek US $5,000 - US $15,000 to support their initiatives. Focused on community safety and youth financial education, Auto Club Group Foundation invites eligible organizations within its 14-state footprint to apply.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, government entities, and coalitions developing community-focused ideas in North Dakota can access funding through Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grants. These grants back efforts to test and spread solutions to local challenges, and after school or out-of-school programs may be eligible if they advance important community priorities.

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

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 development, USDA: Rural Development provides support that may help after school and educational programs enhance community centers, libraries, and related spaces in eligible areas.

With a mission to support community education, culture, health, and the environment, Otter Tail Corporation Foundation provides North Dakota 501(c)(3) organizations with project-based funding. Eligible nonprofits in the listed service counties may request support for innovative programs, operating needs, or capital improvements, including initiatives that may involve after school or out-of-school educational activities.

Nonprofits, schools, and public agencies in Grand Forks County can apply for funding to enhance music education for youth 18 and under, including after-school and summer programs. Focused on music education, the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks, and Region invites eligible organizations to supplement, not replace, existing resources like instruments, music, and guest clinicians.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

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.

North Dakota after-school robotics teams in the FIRST Robotics Competition can access funding through John Deere Foundation to support participation costs in STEM-focused programs. Eligible teams must be school- or 501(c)(3)-affiliated (or registered charities in Canada), meet underserved, underrepresented, or rural criteria, and be near a John Deere Inspire community or have a committed John Deere employee mentor.

After-school and summer STEM education programs in North Dakota can seek support for FIRST LEGO League Explore teams through John Deere Foundation’s grant program. Focused on STEM/STEAM education, this funding may benefit school-based or 501(c)(3)-affiliated teams near John Deere communities that primarily serve underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth.

North Dakota after-school and youth STEM programs running FIRST LEGO League Discover teams can access funding through John Deere Foundation to support underserved, underrepresented, or rural students. Eligible teams must be school- or 501(c)(3)-based in qualifying John Deere communities or have a committed John Deere employee mentor, and meet FIRST-related participation and training requirements.

North Dakota 501(c)(3) nonprofits, municipal entities, and school systems can seek funding for innovative health programs that improve access, habits, and healthier lifestyles. With a mission to strengthen community health, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation provides US $15,000 - US $50,000 for new or expanding, replicable initiatives, which may include after-school or out-of-school health education efforts.

Organizations running agricultural education programs that teach the cooperative business model and serve youth in North Dakota and other CHS trade area states can apply for CHS Foundation’s Cooperative Education Grant to support program-related costs. Eligible projects should reach middle school through college-age students or young producers and have state or national-level impact.

North Dakota after-school and youth-serving organizations offering cancer or cardiovascular disease education, awareness, or support services can access funding via Bayer Fund if they are 501(c)(3)s or eligible public entities with at least two years of operation. Eligible programs must be evidence-based, program-focused, and located near Bayer’s West Fargo community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, churches, schools, and government entities in Cass County, North Dakota, or Clay County, Minnesota can apply for $500 - $15,000 in flexible general operating support for education and youth-related work. With a mission to strengthen communities, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation provides funding that may benefit after-school and out-of-school programs in North Dakota.

Nonprofit organizations serving youth, education, arts, or social services in the Fargo-Moorhead area of North Dakota can seek project or program support that benefits local residents. Grants from Alex Stern Family Foundation help North Dakota groups running after-school or youth recreation, civic, or health initiatives; interested nonprofits should contact the program manager to discuss eligibility.

North Dakota Council on the Arts

North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) is a service and program agency of the state, established in 1967 by State Legislature “to ensure that the role of the arts in the life of our communities will continue to grow and will play an evermore significant part in the welfare and educational experience of our citizens.” Our purpose is to bring that commitment to life. NDCA operates with an annual budget of over $2 million through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts and an appropriation from the North Dakota State Legislature. The majority of NDCA’s budget is awarded to organizations and individuals through various grant programs.

We strengthen the creative capacity of North Dakota for all who live and visit here, honoring our cultural traditions, empowering excellence and innovation, inspiring arts and culture opportunities for all.

Institutional Support Grant Program

Institutional Support (IS) is a three-year grant program that provides general operating support for arts nonprofits with an established record of high-quality programmatic service and administrative stability. This includes arts organizations that produce, present, or exhibit works of art, artist service organizations, art councils, and community art schools, as well as cultural arts organizations.

Eligible North Dakota cities, counties, townships, park and school districts, state agencies, water management districts, and federally recognized tribes can receive 50/50 matching funds for outdoor recreation facilities and park land. The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department’s Land and Water Conservation Fund supports projects like ball fields, pools, campgrounds, and playgrounds that may complement after school and youth programs.

Schools, school districts, arts nonprofits, and public agencies in North Dakota can receive up to US $6,000 to build collaborative K-12 arts education projects, including after-school and summer programs. With a mission to expand arts learning, North Dakota Council on the Arts funds teaching artist fees, coordination, materials, and related administrative and program costs.

After-school programs, schools, youth organizations, and other community groups in North Dakota can seek funding to develop community gardens that support nutrition, health, and rural well-being. North Dakota Health and Human Services supports rural and tribal initiatives that create healthy food access and community spaces, which may include after-school or summer educational programming.

North Dakota rural and Tribal public or private schools, regional education associations, and school consortiums can seek funding to design and deliver a Zero-Hour physical education initiative that complements regular school-day and after-school programming. Focused on rural health and K–12 fitness, North Dakota Health and Human Services offers approximately US $70,000 per award.

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.

After-school and youth-serving organizations in North Dakota can apply for North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Community Orchard Grant, with awards of more than US $40,000 to establish permanent community orchards. Grants can fund plants, trees, soil amendments, irrigation, fencing, and supplies that support nutrition education and outdoor learning in underserved areas.

North Dakota 501(c)(3) nonprofits running educational, health, human services, or arts programs can seek program, operating, capital, scholarship, or endowment support, including after-school initiatives. With a mission to sustain vibrant, healthy communities, Tom and Frances Leach Foundation provides flexible single- and multi-year funding, with significant emphasis on the Bismarck-Mandan area and Western North Dakota.

Schools, healthcare providers, and local economic or job development entities 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. These funds support out-of-school educational experiences for students in grades 5–12, including after-school or summer programming.

North Dakota after-school and youth programs serving girls and young women can access funding through the Minot Area Community Foundation to build character, confidence, leadership, life skills, and strong values. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, government, religious, and other qualified charitable entities in designated northwest North Dakota counties.