Best Grants for Capital Funding in North Dakota

The Best in Class Grant Program in North Dakota aims to enhance early childhood education through targeted investments in high-quality programs. By fostering supported interactions and developmentally appropriate experiences, the program ensures that children and families receive exceptional services. Teaching staff will be provided with coaching to implement effective play-based curricula and assessments. Continuous monitoring and evaluation will guarantee that the program's impact is measurable and meaningful, supporting children's growth before they enter kindergarten.

The Good Relatives Collaborative Grants, funded by the Bush Foundation, aim to empower grassroots and Native-led organizations across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native nations. This initiative provides responsive grants of $50,000 and $100,000 to support community leadership, healing, and cultural revitalization. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the program seeks to address the unique needs of Native communities while promoting accessible philanthropy and sustainable growth.

The EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused Collaborations Program (RII-FEC) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible jurisdictions by fostering partnerships among government, higher education, and industry. This program supports interdisciplinary teams of researchers to tackle significant challenges in STEM fields, promoting diversity and broadening participation. By integrating Minority-Serving Institutions and early-career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds, RII-FEC seeks to build sustainable STEM capacity and drive impactful discoveries across regions.

The Regional Workforce Impact Program (RWIP) in North Dakota aims to empower local solutions to workforce challenges by providing tailored funding mechanisms. This program focuses on addressing the specific workforce needs of various regions, promoting economic stability through collaboration and innovative initiatives. By increasing participation and leveraging existing resources, the RWIP is designed to enhance workforce development, ensuring that both rural and urban communities can thrive. Grant caps vary based on the funding purpose.

The Rural Business Development Grants in North Dakota aim to provide essential technical assistance and training to small rural businesses, defined as those with fewer than 50 employees and under $1 million in revenue. Funding is prioritized for smaller requests, with two grant types available: Opportunity and Enterprise. These grants support various projects, from training and technical assistance to community and technology-based economic development, ultimately fostering growth in rural areas.

The Workforce Retention Funding program, managed by North Dakota Health and Human Services, aims to bolster the rural healthcare workforce by providing grants to critical access hospitals and their clinics. With approximately $10 million in funding, the initiative supports retention strategies such as employee incentives, childcare partnerships, and professional development. By enhancing workforce sustainability, this program addresses healthcare access challenges in rural communities, aligning with the state's goal to improve overall health outcomes.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services

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. 

Behavioral Health Promotion Community Grants 

Funding Opportunity

North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) is seeking creative evidence-based behavioral health promotion proposals with a focus on promoting mental health, preventing suicide and/or preventing substance use/misuse.

Promotion and prevention strategies are designed for individuals and populations not identified to be in need of treatment for behavioral health conditions. Rather, promotion and prevention is a proactive approach; creating an environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities, which prevents problems before they occur. Research over the last two decades has shown mental illness and substance use disorders are both preventable and treatable. Promotion and prevention efforts are a critical component of the behavioral health system and are most effective when stakeholders and community members work together to take action – emphasizing collaboration and community mobilization.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

The Conservation Partners Grant Program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, supports private landowners in implementing regenerative agriculture and conservation practices. By awarding competitive grants, the program facilitates technical assistance for developing management plans and best practices, enabling landowners to maximize the ecological benefits of their lands. This initiative is crucial for enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, addressing pressing conservation issues, and promoting sustainable land stewardship across the United States.

The Partnership Fund Grant by the Bush Foundation is designed for unique funding needs that do not align with existing programs. It aims to address pressing community challenges in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and 23 Native nations. This fund facilitates collaboration with other funders, attracts additional resources, and provides seed funding for initiatives that resonate with the foundation's strategic values, ensuring impactful community development.

The Creative Community Solutions Grant Program, launched by the Bush Foundation in partnership with Strengthen ND, seeks innovative solutions to community challenges in North Dakota. Grants up to $300,000 are available for projects that develop, test, and spread impactful ideas. This initiative empowers diverse local voices through a Grantmaking Committee, ensuring funds are allocated to initiatives that enhance community well-being. Importantly, it focuses on collaborative efforts and does not provide operational support for organizations.

State Historical Society of North Dakota

About Us

Our Mission: Empower Through History

The Society is under the supervision of the 12-member State Historical Board. The board appoints the Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota to administer the agency and carry out policies and directives.

Historic Preservation Fund Grants

The State Historic Preservation Office of North Dakota receives federal funds annually from the Historic Preservation Fund to assist in the identification, evaluation, and preservation of cultural resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NPS).

As part of the annual appropriation, the Society is obligating $150,000 toward preservation, restoration, and rehabilitation of projects for the National Register listed properties.

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

The Technical Skills Training Grant (ND) is designed to support workforce development by funding training programs for displaced workers, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With three tracks, the grant offers financial assistance for non-degree training, internal upskilling, and automation-related training. Track A can provide up to $200,000, while Tracks B and C offer up to $100,000 and $200,000 respectively. This initiative aims to create a skilled workforce to meet labor market demands.

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 Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants in North Dakota support eligible communities in preparing for or recovering from emergencies that affect safe drinking water access. Funded by USDA Rural Development, these grants cater to various disasters, including floods, droughts, and chemical spills. Grant amounts range from $150,000 for waterline repairs to $1,000,000 for constructing new water sources. This initiative aims to restore access to clean water and bolster rural resilience following natural disasters.

The RMEF Grant Program lies at the core of advancing our mission.

RMEF established the program in 1986 to provide financial and logistical support to projects that align with our priorities and goals. Grant funds raised by RMEF members, volunteers and generous donors from across the country translate into significantly more conservation accomplishment when matched with partner funds. The RMEF Grant Program also aims to build recognition for RMEF’s work, grow engagement, and boost local fundraising efforts.

Governed by clear guidelines and criteria, the RMEF Grant Program seeks to foster meaningful collaborations and long-term impacts in the conservation of natural resources and outdoor traditions. Grant project partners include federal, state, local, and tribal wildlife and land management agencies, private landowners and local stakeholders, sportsmen and women, and conservation organizations, universities, foundations and the outdoor industry. Eligible projects primarily focus on habitat stewardship, land conservation and access, wildlife management, and hunting heritage.

We support organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)3 entity, federal, state, local, or tribal government entities, sportsmen’s organizations, or educational institutions. All applicants must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) issued by the IRS. RMEF does not offer grants to individuals.

Land Conservation and Access

RMEF conserves critical big game habitat and migration corridors, while expanding and improving public access, including through land acquisitions and voluntary conservation agreements. RMEF's

2026 priorities include:

• Conserving migratory corridors and connecting landscapes through land conservation efforts
• Creating new or improved public access through access easements and agreements and state-run access programs

The Disaster Resilience Program, supported by Equal Justice Works, aims to provide free civil legal aid to communities affected by disasters in the Midwest. With funding for attorney and summer law student fellows, the program addresses the unique legal needs of low-income families, helping them recover from the impacts of disasters. This initiative not only stabilizes lives but also promotes resilience in communities by ensuring access to essential legal services.

The Media Partnerships Program, funded by the Bush Foundation, supports nonprofit media organizations in Minnesota and surrounding areas. It provides three-year operating grants to enhance news coverage, foster community engagement, and ensure diverse voices are represented. By promoting transparency and editorial independence, the program aims to amplify storytelling that addresses local issues, ultimately strengthening the region's informational landscape. Eligible organizations can receive up to $150,000 in support to further their mission while collaborating with the Foundation.

The Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence: Development Phase (COBRE-D) program aims to enhance biomedical research capacity in IDeA states, which historically receive low NIH funding. By providing critical support for early-career investigators and essential infrastructure, COBRE-D facilitates a long-term vision for institutions. This initiative not only supplements start-up packages for new hires but also establishes research facilities and improves administrative services, paving the way for less-resourced institutions to transition into the COBRE E/S program.

North Dakota Health and Human Services

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. 

Rural Health Transformation Funding

As part of Public Law 119-21, Congress established the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help rural communities reimagine their health care delivery systems and improve health outcomes. This program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to address longstanding health-care challenges facing rural and Tribal communities. The North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) developed its RHTP to focus on creating new access points, modernizing care delivery and empowering local providers to meet the needs of their communities through sustainable investments. North Dakota’s plan, as indicated in the RHTP application and supporting documents, includes four initiatives:

• Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again
• Initiative 2: Strengthen and Stabilize Rural Health Workforce
• Initiative 3: Bring High-Quality Health Care Closer to Home
• Initiative 4: Connect Tech, Data, and Providers for a Stronger North Dakota

Zero-Hour Physical Education (PE) Initiative

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity is positioned under Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again and is specifically targeted toward providing leaders of North Dakota’s rural and tribal, public and private schools, regional education associations and/or school consortiums with the opportunity to develop and deliver a Zero-Hour Physical Education (PE) Initiative.

North Dakota Health and Human Services

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. 

Rural Health Transformation Funding

As part of Public Law 119-21, Congress established the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help rural communities reimagine their health care delivery systems and improve health outcomes. This program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to address longstanding health-care challenges facing rural and Tribal communities. The North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) developed its RHTP to focus on creating new access points, modernizing care delivery and empowering local providers to meet the needs of their communities through sustainable investments. North Dakota’s plan, as indicated in the RHTP application and supporting documents, includes four initiatives:

• Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again
• Initiative 2: Strengthen and Stabilize Rural Health Workforce
• Initiative 3: Bring High-Quality Health Care Closer to Home
• Initiative 4: Connect Tech, Data, and Providers for a Stronger North Dakota

Community-Based Walking Program Grant

Funding Opportunity

This funding opportunity is positioned under Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again and is specifically targeted toward providing leaders of North Dakota’s rural and tribal communities with the opportunity to develop and deliver a community-based walking program. This is the time it takes for behavior to become habit.

Because walking is a highly effective, low-impact exercise that improves cardiovascular health, manages weight, strengthens bones, boosts immunity, enhances mental wellbeing, and improves social connection, we are making funds available to develop and deliver 20 community-based walking programs in North Dakota’s rural and tribal communities.

The FY26 Bureau of Land Management Youth Conservation Corps program aims to engage youth aged 16-30, including veterans and tribal members, in hands-on conservation projects. These initiatives foster skills in natural resource management, promote public land stewardship, and enhance community involvement through trail building, habitat restoration, and cultural resource preservation. By partnering with qualified youth corps, the program supports economic growth and environmental health while preparing the next generation of public land stewards.

About the department

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department is the state agency charged with administering selected parks and recreation areas that are deemed to have state-wide or regional significance.

In addition, the department has responsibility for the following functions:

• Off-highway vehicle planning and safety program
• Snowmobile safety programs and trails
• Nature Preserves Act
• Outdoor recreation grants and statewide recreation planning

Recreational Trails Program (RTP)

The Recreational Trails Program is an 80/20 matching grant program that provides funding for both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail projects. Examples of eligible projects include the construction of new recreation trails, restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, purchase and lease of recreational trail construction and maintenance equipment, land acquisition/easements, trail accessibility assessment.

The RTP is administered at the state level through the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD), and federally through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Applicants may request grant amounts ranging from a minimum of $30,000 up to a maximum of $250,000.

RTP Project Selection

Applicants must register in WebGrants to submit applications; see the manual for instructions. Apply on the WebGrants Site.

The North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) reviews all applications for eligibility before sending them to be scored and ranked by the Recreational Trails Program Advisory Committee (RTPAC). The committee, which consists of trail users who represent a broad range of motorized and non-motorized trails and associations, meets each spring to evaluate the projects.

Once projects are ranked by the RTPAC, they are reviewed by state and federal agencies for environmental and historical clearance. The NDPRD then submits projects to the Federal Highway Administration for final approval.

RTP Funding Source

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) is a federal-aid assistance program to help states provide and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized trail use. The program provides funds for all kinds of recreational trail uses, such as pedestrian uses (hiking, running and wheelchair use), bicycling, in-line skating, equestrian use, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, canoe/kayak trails, off-road motorcycling, all-terrain vehicle riding, four-wheel driving, or using other off-road motorized vehicles.

The RTP funds come from the Federal Highway Trust Fund and represent a portion of the motor fuel excise tax collected from non-highway recreational fuel use: fuel used for off-highway recreation by snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and off-highway light trucks.

The U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (USDOT/FHWA) administers the RTP program. The Governor of the state of North Dakota has designated the North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department (NDPRD) as the agency responsible for administering apportionments made to the state. RTP funds represent a portion of the federal gasoline tax attributed to recreation on non-gasoline tax-supported roads. The federal government prescribes many of the regulations governing this program.

The Office of Legal Immigration Grant Program (ND) aims to support businesses and community organizations in North Dakota that seek to recruit, retain, and integrate New Americans. Funded by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, it addresses the need for improved access to international recruitment and community integration activities, enhancing the workforce and economic inclusion for foreign-born individuals. This program facilitates employer strategies and community-based initiatives, promoting long-term retention and positive experiences for immigrants.

North Dakota Health and Human Services

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. 

Rural Health Transformation Funding

As part of Public Law 119-21, Congress established the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to help rural communities reimagine their health care delivery systems and improve health outcomes. This program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to address longstanding health-care challenges facing rural and Tribal communities. The North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) developed its RHTP to focus on creating new access points, modernizing care delivery and empowering local providers to meet the needs of their communities through sustainable investments. North Dakota’s plan, as indicated in the RHTP application and supporting documents, includes four initiatives:

• Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again
• Initiative 2: Strengthen and Stabilize Rural Health Workforce
• Initiative 3: Bring High-Quality Health Care Closer to Home
• Initiative 4: Connect Tech, Data, and Providers for a Stronger North Dakota

Community Gardens Grant

Funding

This RHTP Community Garden competitive funding opportunity (under Initiative 1: Make North Dakota Healthy Again) is being made available to leaders of North Dakota’s rural and tribal communities including but not limited to 4-H youth development programs, civic groups, municipalities, tribal councils, tribal colleges, tribal health departments, health care facilities, senior centers, worksites, public health units, schools, Head Start programs, cultural centers, after-school programs, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, communities of faith and nonprofit organizations.

The Bush Prize for Community Innovation recognizes exceptional organizations in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and surrounding Native nations that foster community engagement and drive creative solutions. Launched in 2023, this initiative is a collaboration between the Bush Foundation and local partners, providing flexible support to empower these organizations and amplify their impactful stories. The aim is to inspire and motivate others through successful community-led initiatives.