Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in North Dakota
62 grantmaking foundations headquartered in North Dakota, holding $1.3B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 26 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native American Agriculture Fundsince 2019 | Bismarck, ND | $12M1 grants · 2025 | $12M | Yes | $177M |
| Centurion Foundationsince 2022 | West Fargo, ND | $10.0M11 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $158M |
| Offutt Family Foundationsince 2009 | Fargo, ND | $9.6M114 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $381M |
| Edson & Margaret Larson Foundationsince 2011 | Grand Forks, ND | $3.2M9 grants · 2025 | $275K | Preselected only | $50M |
| R B Nordick Foundationsince 1996 | West Fargo, ND | $2.2M12 grants · 2024 | $114K | Preselected only | $40M |
| Tom & Frances Leach Foundation Incsince 1958 | Bismarck, ND | $2.0M71 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $25M |
| Sts Juliana and Philaret Foundationsince 2020 | Fargo, ND | $2.0M1 grants · 2024 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $25M |
| The Barry Foundationsince 2015 | Fargo, ND | $1.8M322 grants · 2024 | $1,325 | Preselected only | $55M |
| Alva J Field Memorial Trustsince 1977 | Williston, ND | $1.4M224 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Yes | $25M |
| Mdu Resources Foundationsince 1984 | Bismarck, ND | $1.3M1 grants · 2025 | $1.3M | Yes | $4.2M |
| Jerred D Ruble Family Charitable Foundationsince 2013 | Mandan, ND | $1.3M9 grants · 2025 | $160K | Preselected only | $7.4M |
| Glenn Perkins Educational Foundationsince 2018 | Williston, ND | $1.3M11 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $27M |
| Burgum Foundationsince 2016 | Fargo, ND | $1.0M29 grants · 2024 | $16K | Preselected only | $3.4M |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundationsince 1989 | Fargo, ND | $1.0M284 grants · 2025 | $1,500 | Yes | $23M |
| Buck and Lois Scheele Foundationsince 2023 | Williston, ND | $862K16 grants · 2025 | $11K | Yes | $25M |
| Myra Foundationsince 1964 | Grand Forks, ND | $761K85 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $16M |
| Fred M Hector Jr Charitable Trustsince 2017 | Fargo, ND | $663K40 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $19M |
| Border States Foundationsince 2023 | Fargo, ND | $635K30 grants · 2025 | $6,267 | Preselected only | $13M |
| Matt and Joann Butler Foundationsince 2003 | Fargo, ND | $570K6 grants · 2024 | $95K | Yes | $11M |
| Alex Stern Family Foundationsince 1964 | Fargo, ND | $554K69 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $9.0M |
| Arthur and Edith Pearson Foundationsince 2010 | Westhope, ND | $418K23 grants · 2025 | $15K | Yes | $8.6M |
| Nelson Family Foundationsince 2015 | Bismarck, ND | $416K10 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $6.0M |
| Mwe Scholarship Fundsince 2015 | Grand Forks, ND | $365K12 grants · 2025 | $12K | Yes | $7.9M |
| Steve and Diane Hulbert Family Foundationsince 2019 | West Fargo, ND | $356K13 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $5.5M |
| William C and Jane B Marcil Charitable Foundationsince 2003 | Fargo, ND | $350K3 grants · 2025 | $100K | Yes | $6.0M |
| Roger L & Agnes C Dell Charitable Trust 1since 1971 | Fargo, ND | $348K23 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $5.6M |
| John and Elaine Andrist Charitable Trsince 2021 | Bismarck, ND | $341K2 grants · 2024 | $170K | Preselected only | $3.2M |
| Steve and Gretchen Stenehjem Family Foundationsince 2022 | Watford City, ND | $297K1 grants · 2024 | $297K | Preselected only | $14M |
| Rockstad Foundationsince 2016 | Bismarck, ND | $265K3 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Milton S Olson Small Animal Benefit Foundationsince 2015 | Williston, ND | $250K5 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $2.3M |
| John L McCormick Memorial Trsince 2005 | Fargo, ND | $225K14 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $2.7M |
| William Langer and Susan Flickinger Gokey Foundation Incsince 2012 | Minot, ND | $143K10 grants · 2025 | $8,750 | Preselected only | $3.5M |
| Mildred H Thelin Tr No 762since 2025 | Devils Lake, ND | $141K1 grants · 2025 | $141K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| Forum Communications Foundationsince 2019 | Fargo, ND | $137K11 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.9M |
| Ralph Boone Charitable Foundationsince 1997 | Grand Forks, ND | $136K9 grants · 2025 | $16K | Yes | $2.2M |
| Gustaf R Thelin Trustsince 2025 | Devils Lake, ND | $128K2 grants · 2025 | $64K | Preselected only | $2.6M |
| Vincent Gaffney Foundationsince 1987 | Williston, ND | $126K20 grants · 2024 | $2,546 | Yes | $1.3M |
| Oppen Family Guidance Institute insince 1974 | Minot, ND | $110K2 grants · 2024 | $55K | Preselected only | $4.3M |
| Engel-Kesting Foundationsince 2010 | Dickinson, ND | $108K8 grants · 2025 | $14K | Yes | $1.7M |
| Dr Calvin Fercho Family Foundationsince 2006 | Fargo, ND | $104K19 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| Paris Family Foundationsince 2016 | Bismarck, ND | $100K8 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $2.1M |
| North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Incsince 1987 | Bismarck, ND | $92K17 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Yes | $45M |
| Tribal Workers Compensation Foundationsince 2019 | Bismarck, ND | $91K45 grants · 2024 | $2,500 | Preselected only | $1.1M |
| Marvin a Thorson Trustsince 2025 | Devils Lake, ND | $90K2 grants · 2025 | $45K | Preselected only | $2.9M |
| North Dakota Masonic Foundationsince 1949 | Fargo, ND | $89K7 grants · 2024 | $9,729 | Yes | $1.8M |
| Lakota Community Foundationsince 1994 | Lakota, ND | $70K11 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.1M |
| John and Kim Erickson Family Foundationsince 2009 | West Fargo, ND | $68K1 grants · 2025 | $68K | Yes | $1.7M |
| Dave and Pat Goodin Family Foundationsince 2023 | Bismarck, ND | $58K12 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $6.3M |
| The Leonard Rydell Foundationsince 2001 | Grand Forks, ND | $54K23 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Yes | $1.7M |
| Sts Family Foundationsince 2024 | Fargo, ND | $50K1 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $2.2M |
| George P Roller Perpetual Charitable Trsince 2024 | Dickinson, ND | $47K4 grants · 2025 | $9,350 | Preselected only | $1.2M |
| United Telephone Educational Foundation Incsince 1990 | Langdon, ND | $41K31 grants · 2025 | $1,000 | Preselected only | $1.8M |
| Walter and Barbara E-Reishus- Pedersen Lutheran Foundationsince 1986 | Grand Forks, ND | $39K6 grants · 2025 | $5,388 | Preselected only | $1.4M |
| Leo C Parent Scholarship Tr IIsince 2010 | Grand Forks, ND | $31K9 grants · 2025 | $1,200 | Yes | $1.7M |
| Azimuth World Foundationsince 2019 | Bismarck, ND | $1,6501 grants · 2025 | $1,650 | Preselected only | $3.8M |
| Three Affiliated Tribes Museum Incsince 2021 | New Town, ND | — | — | Preselected only | $6.3M |
| Hav-It Servicessince 1982 | Harvey, ND | — | — | Preselected only | $3.1M |
| 4th Corporationsince 1983 | New Rockford, ND | — | — | Preselected only | $2.5M |
| Tisdale Foundationsince 1982 | Grand Forks, ND | — | — | Preselected only | $1.7M |
| Gabriel J Brown Trustsince 1970 | Bismarck, ND | — | — | Yes | $1.6M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in North Dakota
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | North Dakota Council on the Arts — Organizational GrantsStateNorth Dakota Council on the Arts | North Dakota Council on the Arts | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | North Dakota Humanities Council — Humanities GrantsStateNorth Dakota Humanities Council | North Dakota Humanities Council | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in North Dakota?
Our directory lists 62 private grantmaking foundations in North Dakota with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $1.3B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.