Best Grants for Rural Development in North Dakota

The Community Innovation Grants, funded by the Bush Foundation, aim to support transformative ideas that enhance the lives of people in Minnesota and surrounding areas. These grants foster collaboration among organizations and leaders to develop and spread effective solutions to community challenges. By removing funding caps and focusing on the needs of communities, the program empowers individuals and organizations to create lasting change, ensuring that innovative ideas reach their full potential.

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.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Labcorp Charitable Foundation, a private 501(c)(3) entity, aims to enhance healthcare access and education for all. With grant opportunities focusing on food programs, healthcare services for underserved populations, and STEM initiatives, it seeks to support community health and well-being. Organizations eligible for funding must be U.S.-based and hold tax-exempt status. Requests are reviewed biannually, in March and September, to foster impactful community projects.

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.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

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 CHS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing agricultural education through its Teacher Grants program, providing up to $50,000 for innovative projects. This initiative aims to engage students in experiential learning within rural communities across various states. By supporting teachers and their creative ideas, the foundation fosters educational growth and prepares future agricultural leaders, ensuring a sustainable and empowered agricultural sector. This commitment reflects CHS's broader mission of community support and development.

The Rural Grocery Store Sustainability Grant, initiated by the North Dakota Department of Commerce, aims to enhance food accessibility in rural areas. This program supports the sustainability of grocery services and the development of food co-ops, addressing challenges related to food access and economic growth. With a 20% non-state match requirement, it fosters collaboration among local entities to improve food supply and quality. Projects must be completed within 18 months, ensuring long-term sustainability and community development.

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.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in North Dakota supports rural development by providing essential funding for community facilities. Eligible areas include rural communities with populations under 20,000. The program prioritizes projects that serve low-income areas and offers varying grant assistance based on the community's income level. Funding can be used for construction, equipment purchases, and project expenses, ensuring that vital services such as healthcare, education, and public safety are accessible to rural residents.

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.

What does this program do?

It provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to:

• To help microenterprises startup and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund.
• Provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs.

Microenterprise Development Organizations must demonstrate experience in managing a Revolving Loan Fund, or:

• Certify that it or its employees have received education and training from a qualified microenterprise development training entity so that the applicant has the capacity to manage such a revolving loan fund.
• Demonstrate that it is actively and successfully participating as an intermediary lender in good standing under the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program or other similar loan programs as determined by the Administrator.

What kind of funding is available?

• Grants are available to provide technical assistance to rural micro-entrepreneurs or microenterprises, up to $205,000 annually.
  • Funding at the requested level is not guaranteed, and at least 15 percent matching funds are required.
• Loans of $50,000 to $500,000 may be used for establishing a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund managed by the Microenterprise Development Organization.
  • Total aggregate debt is capped at $2.5 million.

What are the loan terms?

• Maximum term is 20 years.
• Two-year payment deferral.
• Must establish a loan loss reserve fund.

What terms are required on loans to ultimate recipients?

• Up to $50,000.
• Fixed interest rate.
• Limited to 75 percent of project cost.

How may the funds be used?

Microlenders may make microloans for qualified business activities and expenses including, but not limited to:

• Working capital.
• Debt refinancing.
• Purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Improving real estate.

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.

The AgriBank Rural Community Grant Fund aims to boost infrastructure and community development in western North Dakota, supporting initiatives like housing, health, and safety projects. Grants up to $50,000 are available for local entities, including 501(c)(3) organizations, to foster improvements in areas affected by mineral development. This fund reflects AgriBank's commitment to enhancing community well-being and sustainability in the region.

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 PRISM Fund Grant, offered by PFund Foundation, aims to enhance equity within LGBTQ+ communities in the upper Midwest. It focuses on supporting rural LGBTQ+ organizations through grants, training, and collaboration. The program prioritizes communities disproportionately affected by discrimination, such as queer people of color, gender-expansive individuals, and LGBTQ+ residents of North and South Dakota. By addressing unique regional challenges, the PRISM Fund fosters resilience and connectivity among these underserved populations.

The Arts in Education Collaboration Grant offers up to $6,000 to support collaborative projects that enhance arts education for K-12 students in North Dakota. It encourages partnerships among schools, arts organizations, and community resources to increase access to quality arts education. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public entities located in North Dakota. The program aims to address barriers to arts education and support sustainable, participatory learning experiences for students.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

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.

Enterprise Community Partners

Enterprise Community Partners is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. Home is where life happens, where plans are made, and futures begin. It is the foundation for dignity, health, education, wealth, and community. Yet rents keep going up, paychecks don’t keep pace, and good homes in strong neighborhoods are increasingly out of reach.

The system doesn’t work. It must be changed, and it must be changed by us.

Enterprise has the breadth, scale, and expertise to do it. We support community development organizations on the ground. We aggregate and invest billions to improve housing and strengthen communities across the U.S. We advance housing policy at every level of government. We build and manage communities ourselves. Everything we do is informed by the residents we serve.

Together with our partners, we focus on the greatest need — the massive shortage of affordable rental homes — to achieve three goals:

• Increase the supply of affordable homes
• Advance racial equity after decades of systematic racism in housing
• Support residents and strengthen communities to be resilient to the unpredictable, and make upward mobility possible

Since 1982, we have invested $92.0 billion and created 1.1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We do all this to make home and community places of pride, power, and belonging.

National Housing Innovation Grant Competition

Home is foundational. It’s where we plant roots, raise and care for our families, and build community bonds. Yet in every corner of the country, millions of people of all ages and backgrounds need a home they can afford.

Wells Fargo is meeting this moment with a powerful grant opportunity. Together with Enterprise, Wells Fargo has launched the third iteration of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge. The 2026 cycle of the housing innovation competition will identify and propel proven, ready-to-scale solutions that transform current practices and increase housing choice and access.

Eligible applicants will compete for five individual grants of $2 million to advance their innovation and drive meaningful, systems-level change in the housing and adjacent industries. Winners will gain access to mentorship and coaching from industry leaders and experts and join a powerful network of Breakthrough Challenge innovators.

Focus Areas

This third cycle of the Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge aims to meet the nation’s affordable housing challenges across all types of communities: Native, rural, suburban, tribal, and urban.

Proposals must encompass one or more of three focus areas:

• Design and Construction
• Finance
• Service Delivery and Programs

Applicants will be asked to show how their proof of concept or pilot program has achieved clear outcomes and success, and provide a clear pathway to expanding the innovation’s reach and impact

Round 1: Criteria and Scoring

Your innovation must meet the criteria below to advance to the official scoring stage.

Type of Community

Innovations can serve all types of communities:

• Rural
• Urban
• Suburban
• Tribal

Location

Priority scoring will be given to applications from entities that are based in – or whose innovations are designed for – one or more of these 28 states, plus D.C.:

• Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C.

Affordability

Innovations must serve residents at these income levels:

• Rental: 80% AMI or below
• Homeownership: 120% AMI or below
• Workforce housing: 120% AMI or below

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.

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.

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.

About Us

Welcome to www.ndda.nd.gov, the website of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.

Agriculture is the dominant sector of our state's economy. Our 26,000 farmers and ranchers lead the nation in the production of more than a dozen important commodities, among them wheat, durum, barley, flax, canola, pulse crops and more.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring and the Department staff are committed to promoting a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture and the rural community through leadership, advocacy, education, regulation and other services. We believe that a strong agricultural economy is vital to the long-term well-being of North Dakota, our country and the world.

Specialty Crop Community Orchard Grants

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) has a grant opportunity to support the creation of permanent community orchards in underserved regions to increase community access to and consumer education of specialty crops. The funds for these grants come from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

Eligible organizations can ask for $40,000 or more to establish a new community orchard.

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 Destination Development Grant (ND) provides $15 million in funding to enhance tourism in North Dakota for the 2025-2027 biennium. It aims to develop new visitor experiences aligned with the state's identity, focusing on infrastructure for attractions that stimulate economic growth. Eligible projects include unique lodging, culinary experiences, and outdoor recreational venues. This program is designed to support projects that are ready for implementation, not for early-stage development.