Best North Dakota Grants for Nonprofits

CHS Foundation supports agricultural education and youth leadership in North Dakota by funding projects focused on ag education, leadership, or career training for students and young professionals. North Dakota nonprofits with programs that strengthen agricultural leadership or promote the cooperative business model may be eligible for this opportunity.

The Auto Club Group Foundation provides North Dakota nonprofits with funding for traffic safety, driver education, and financial literacy initiatives. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, K-12 schools, fire departments, and municipal entities. North Dakota groups working to improve roadway safety or financial education may be eligible for grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.

North Dakota nonprofits focused on agriculture can access funding through CHS Foundation, which supports 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting the agriculture or cooperative industry. Eligible organizations working in the state may receive support for initiatives that strengthen local agricultural communities and foster industry growth.

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.

North Dakota nonprofit organizations can access funding through Otto Bremer Trust for community development and economic services. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations with at least five years of successful operations and annual expenses over $2 million may benefit. This opportunity may support nonprofits working to strengthen local communities and drive regional growth.

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.

Tom and Frances Leach Foundation provides North Dakota nonprofits with funding for education, health, human services, and arts initiatives. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations working to strengthen communities across the state may apply for support, including program, operating, and capital grants. This opportunity may benefit a wide range of nonprofit missions.

With a mission to advance social and environmental justice, The Impact Fund provides North Dakota nonprofits with recoverable grants supporting impact litigation. Legal services organizations addressing economic, environmental, or civil rights issues in North Dakota may be eligible for funding to cover litigation expenses in cases benefiting communities facing systemic oppression.

Grants from Otter Tail Corporation Foundation help North Dakota nonprofits advance education, community development, health, and environmental stewardship. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations in North Dakota may receive support for projects ranging from early childhood education to cultural enrichment and basic human needs, strengthening communities throughout the state.

With a mission to strengthen local communities, Alex Stern Family Foundation provides North Dakota nonprofits with support for arts, education, youth recreation, health, and human services. Fargo-Moorhead organizations working to enhance social welfare and civic life may be eligible for funding to advance impactful local projects.

Bayer Fund supports health and wellness initiatives in North Dakota by funding programs focused on cancer and cardiovascular disease. Nonprofits providing education, disease awareness, or support services for patients and families, particularly those serving at-risk populations, may be eligible. Organizations must be near eligible Bayer communities to apply.

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.

With a mission to amplify creativity, Arts Midwest provides North Dakota nonprofits and arts organizations with funding for projects that combine the arts and wellness. Eligible groups include 501(c)(3) organizations, hospitals, clinics, and tribal organizations. Nonprofits focused on community health and the arts may benefit from this opportunity.

With a mission to support STEM education, John Deere Foundation provides North Dakota nonprofits with funding for robotics and STEM/STEAM initiatives. Eligible teams must be associated with a school or 501(c)(3) nonprofit and serve underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth. Organizations in Barnes and Cass counties may benefit from this opportunity.

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.

North Dakota research organizations focused on pollinator conservation can access funding through Project Apis m. (PAm). Grants support projects that enhance honey bee health, nutrition, and productivity, with an emphasis on practical solutions for the beekeeping industry. Nonprofits working in agriculture or entomology may be eligible to apply for research funding.

The John Deere FIRST Robotics Competition grant aims to enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM by supporting teams in underserved communities. Teams must apply for funding before registration and meet specific eligibility criteria. This grant promotes equity in engineering and technology through mentorship and community support, aligning with John Deere's commitment to reach one million underserved youth by 2030. Priority is given to teams with confirmed John Deere mentors and those meeting diverse participation requirements.

Focused on charitable and educational initiatives, Myra Foundation invites North Dakota nonprofits to apply for support benefiting Grand Forks County. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations working to strengthen local communities. Eligible nonprofits across the county may receive funding for a range of projects that serve area residents.

Focused on rural community development, AgriBank invites North Dakota nonprofits to apply for grants supporting infrastructure, housing, health, education, and public safety projects. Organizations working in western North Dakota may benefit from this fund, especially those with 501(c)(3) status addressing local needs and enhancing community well-being.

North Dakota nonprofits can access funding through John Deere Foundation to support STEM and educational equity programs for underserved and underrepresented youth. Eligible teams must be associated with a school or 501(c)(3) and located near John Deere Inspire communities such as Barnes and Cass counties. Priority is given to teams meeting diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria.

North Dakota nonprofits focused on STEM education can access funding through John Deere Foundation’s FIRST LEGO League Explore Grant Program. This opportunity prioritizes teams serving underserved or underrepresented youth in STEM fields, particularly in Barnes and Cass counties. Eligible organizations may benefit from support for robotics and STEM enrichment initiatives.

North Dakota nonprofits focused on agricultural education can access funding through CHS Foundation’s Cooperative Education Grant. This opportunity supports programs that educate youth about the agricultural cooperative business model and encourage innovation in the ag sector. Nonprofit organizations serving young producers and students in North Dakota may be eligible for support.

Focused on community impact, Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation invites North Dakota nonprofits to apply for flexible operating support. Organizations in Cass County working in areas like arts, basic human needs, education, or women’s empowerment may be eligible. This grant aims to strengthen local nonprofits and foster thriving communities across the region.

Grants from Bush Foundation help North Dakota Native organizations with a track record of community innovation access flexible operating support. Eligible Native-led nonprofits may receive up to 25% of their annual expenses, with a maximum of $500,000, to further community-driven solutions and ongoing work in North Dakota.

Grants from Bush Foundation help North Dakota community organizations advance creative solutions and lead local change. Nonprofits engaged in community services that foster collaboration and innovation may benefit from this flexible support. The program recognizes organizations making a lasting impact across North Dakota communities.

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

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.