Best Grants for Grassroots Organizations in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Commerce leads the efforts to attract, retain and expand wealth and talent in North Dakota.

Talent Pipeline Fly-In Grant Program

The Talent Pipeline Fly-In Grant Program is administered by the Workforce Development Division of the Department of Commerce. 

Background

The #1 recruitment challenge for employers, identified in the 2025 ND Workforce Ecosystem Assessment, is “not enough workers.” With the 3rd lowest unemployment rate across the country, but over 16,000 open jobs, North Dakota must look outside its borders to fill our workforce needs. People can learn about jobs without seeing them, but they cannot understand the lifestyle that North Dakota has to offer without seeing and feeling it. By hosting fly-in events across the state for qualified candidates identified from the Find The Good Life pipeline, we can capitalize on the inviting nature of North Dakota and showcase the good life people can have here while highlighting real career opportunities.

In 2023, a pilot Fly-in was conducted in Grand Forks with 7 participants. 

The goal of the program is to have successful conversions from fly-in participants to North Dakota residents. Consequently, successful awardees must commit to continued follow-up with fly-in events for up to a year post-event.

Purpose

The Talent Pipeline Fly-In Grant Program is designed to connect candidates with public and private sector employers who are hiring out-of-state job seekers while providing an experience of the “good life” in North Dakota. 

A minimum 1:1 match is required. State agencies are not eligible to apply.

The US Department of Health & Human Services, through the NIH, invites applications for innovative approaches to implement SBIRT/P for addressing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use in adults facing health disparities. This funding opportunity encourages research that tests screening, brief interventions, and referrals for treatment or prevention services. Applications are due on specified deadlines from February 2024 through March 2027, fostering collaboration with healthcare and community partners to enhance public health outcomes.

Service Objects In-Kind Grants support non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. By leveraging their data validation services, they aim to assist projects that promote ecological health and responsible resource management. The program prioritizes applications with clear, measurable objectives and impactful outcomes within one to three years. Organizations with 501(c)(3) status in the U.S. are eligible, while initiatives lacking detailed plans or focusing on generalized education will not qualify. This grant fosters community involvement in environmental stewardship.

The Region 4 Professional Development Awards for 2025-2026 foster the growth of health information access and data science skills among network members. This funding supports diverse projects such as workshops, conferences, and educational activities aimed at enhancing the professional capacity of individuals affiliated with NNLM Region 4. By encouraging proposals that address the needs of underrepresented communities, the awards aim to improve health information services and access across the region.

The Marvin R. and Pearl E. Patterson Family Fund Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students aspiring to study graphic or fine arts, as well as those interested in environmental sciences. Open to high school graduates from the Tri-Cities area, this scholarship considers leadership, community involvement, and academic achievements, although financial need is not a requirement. Applicants must provide transcripts and relevant documents to qualify for this opportunity.

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 R-COOL-Health Scrubs Camp Grant Program, initiated by the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, aims to enhance awareness and interest in health careers among rural students in grades 5-12. With funding up to $25,000 available, the program emphasizes creative, interactive learning experiences. The grant application deadline is August 15, 2024, for projects running from September 3, 2024, to April 30, 2025, promoting collaboration between educational and healthcare entities in North Dakota.

The ReFED Catalytic Grant Fund, managed by Refed Inc., supports innovative solutions to minimize food waste and reduce methane emissions, a cost-effective strategy for climate action. This fund prioritizes initiatives that enhance food recycling and improve supply chain efficiency in the beef and dairy sectors. By focusing on proven methods, the grant aims to accelerate impactful changes in the food system, ultimately fostering sustainable practices and collaborative efforts to combat food waste.

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

The CHS Foundation's Ag Leadership Grant aims to enhance agricultural leadership and cooperative education. This program supports projects that cultivate a diverse pipeline for future agricultural leaders, focusing on education and career training for high school students to young professionals. Priority is given to initiatives that impact multiple states within the CHS trade area, thereby fostering a deeper understanding of the cooperative business model in agriculture.

Entergy’s Open Grants Program aims to enhance community well-being through funding initiatives in arts, education, social services, and community improvement. The program prioritizes support for organizations that serve diverse populations, including children and low-income communities. Eligible entities must have 501(c)(3) status or equivalent nonprofit recognition. Applications should be submitted three months in advance, allowing ample time for review. Entergy focuses on projects that foster self-sufficiency and enrich local neighborhoods.

The NLSOT Postdoctoral Travel Award aims to support postdoctoral researchers from the Northland SOT region by covering travel costs to the national SOT Annual Meeting. This initiative encourages their participation in chapter activities, fostering professional development and collaboration. Eligible expenses include meeting registration, airfare, hotel accommodations, and meals, making it a valuable opportunity for emerging scientists to engage with the broader toxicology community.

The Bush Fellowship empowers individuals across various sectors to amplify their leadership and drive community change. Offering up to $150,000 over two years, it supports personal growth and networking for selected Fellows. Applicants must be at least 24 years old and residents of specific states or Native nations. The program is competitive, with over 600 applications in recent years. It emphasizes equitable leadership and a commitment to making impactful changes within communities.

The NLSOT Graduate Student Travel Award aims to assist graduate students from the Northland SOT region with travel costs to the national SOT Annual Meeting. This award encourages student involvement in local chapter activities and can be used for various travel-related expenses, including registration, airfare, lodging, and meals. By supporting student participation, the award fosters academic growth and networking opportunities within the toxicology community.

The Coaching Enhancement Grant - Division II aims to enhance diversity in NCAA coaching by providing financial support for new assistant coaching positions. This grant specifically targets increased representation of ethnic minorities and women in athletics. Selected schools receive funding for three years to cover salaries and benefits, totaling $370,000 annually for up to 21 institutions. Eligible schools must be active NCAA Division II members committed to these diversity efforts.

The Grand Haven Offshore Challenge Scholarship, offered by the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, supports students pursuing studies in natural resources, including fisheries and wildlife. This scholarship is available for applicants attending any public or private college or university. The fund was established to honor community contributions towards environmental preservation and is awarded based on academic merit and financial need. Apply once for all scholarships you may qualify for to streamline your application process.

The Stimulating Hematology Investigation: New Endeavors (SHINE) program aims to enhance nonmalignant hematology research aligned with the goals of the NIDDK, NIA, and NHLBI. It invites R01 grant applications focused on innovative and early translational hematology topics, fostering growth in this critical research area. Key deadlines for applications span from February 2025 to October 2027, allowing for both standard and renewal submissions.

The Strategic Alliance Matching Grant - Division II offers financial support to enhance ethnic minority and gender representation in mid- to senior-level athletics administration roles across NCAA Division II institutions. With an annual budget of $860,000, the grant aims to fund up to 20 schools and conferences each year. Eligible applicants must be active Division II members and are encouraged to collaborate with their human resources departments during the proposal process, ensuring compliance with grant requirements.

The Elam Baer and Janis Clay Epilepsy Scholarship, administered by Scholarship America, aims to eliminate financial barriers for students with epilepsy. This scholarship is open to residents of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or Iowa, who are high school seniors or current college students. Applicants must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 and plan to enroll in accredited institutions. The program reflects a commitment to accessibility and support for underrepresented students.

The ASP Conservation Small Grants program is dedicated to supporting primate conservation efforts. It invites proposals for conservation research or related projects, including education, with awards up to $3500. This initiative encourages ASP members, especially those in habitat countries, to submit impactful projects that contribute to broader conservation goals. The program emphasizes funding for local salaries, research supplies, and educational materials, ensuring the sustainability of primate conservation efforts.

The LFF: Nature-Based Climate Action Grant aims to support initiatives that leverage natural systems to combat climate change. By funding projects focused on tree planting, prairie restoration, and carbon sequestration, the program seeks to engage communities and enhance understanding of climate challenges. Ideal applicants include rural organizations working to create measurable environmental impacts while fostering collaboration and policy change. This grant represents an opportunity for organizations ready to take significant strides in addressing the climate crisis.

The Alan Peterson Agricultural Scholarship, offered by CommunityGiving, aims to support Minnesota residents pursuing agricultural studies at accredited universities. This scholarship respects natural resources, promotes innovation in agriculture, and encourages research while advocating for the agricultural sector at all levels. Eligible applicants must be entering their junior or senior year in a four-year college, with no GPA requirement. The program seeks to empower future leaders in agriculture and foster community engagement.

About Us

advancing the science of water ®

Who We Are

The Water Research Foundation (WRF) is the leading research organization advancing the science of all water to meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. WRF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, educational organization that funds, manages, and publishes research on the technology, operation, and management of drinking water, wastewater, reuse, and stormwater systems—all in pursuit of ensuring water quality and improving water services to the public.

5430 - Unlocking Value and Opportunities from Carbon Flows in Water Utilities

Grant Information

• Identify carbon flows across drinking water, stormwater, wastewater, and advanced treatment systems. Carbon flows may include source water, stormwater, process emissions, process inputs, residuals, and biogas.
• Identify the most relevant carbon recovery, capture, conversion, storage, and avoidance opportunities.
• Evaluate value creation pathways, including products, avoided costs, and environmental attributes, and mechanisms and partnerships needed to put them into practice.
• Assess how opportunities vary across system types and local contexts by focusing on more common scenarios for utilities.
• Provide practical, research-based insights to support identification, prioritization, evaluation, and advancement of carbon management opportunities under site-specific conditions and constraints.
• Evaluate implications for greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, environmental attribute claims, and other potential benefits across pathways.

The Asian Cultural Council's New York Fellowship offers a transformative six-month program for artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia. Participants engage deeply with New York City's vibrant cultural landscape, attending performances, exhibitions, and workshops while building networks with local communities. This unique opportunity fosters peer-learning and individual artistic development, encouraging fellows to incorporate their experiences into their practices and contribute to their home cultures. The fellowship emphasizes exploration, exchange, and support, culminating in a rich cultural immersion.

The Asian Cultural Council's Individual Fellowship provides artists, scholars, and arts professionals from Asia and the United States with opportunities for self-directed cultural exchange and research in unfamiliar regions. This program supports activities such as interviews, workshops, and archival research, fostering cultural immersion and collaboration. With a funding limit of $35,000, the fellowship encourages innovative proposals that enhance creative perspectives and relationships among peers, while also ensuring strong eligibility criteria for applicants.

The Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program in North Dakota provides funding for projects that enhance transportation options, including pedestrian and bicycle facilities, Safe Routes to School initiatives, and environmental mitigation efforts. With federal aid covering up to 80.93% of eligible construction costs, local governments, transit agencies, and schools can apply for funding. A matching contribution of 19.07% is required from project sponsors to ensure community investment in transportation alternatives.

The NRP Research Grant Program offers up to $50,000 for healthcare professionals to explore optimal neonatal resuscitation methods. It encourages innovative research addressing gaps in transitional physiology and effective teaching of resuscitation skills. Applications must focus on evidence-based practices and demonstrate potential for meaningful impact in delivery room care. Researchers from Canadian and US institutions are eligible, though applications primarily focused on quality improvement without a research emphasis will not be considered.