For over two decades, the Community Foundation has been making a significant impact in the lives of area residents through our grant making processes. Arts and culture, green spaces, human rights, economic stability for women, community engagement opportunities, and leadership development are just a few of the ways that the Community Foundation works to improve quality of life across our region.

The Community Foundation distributes a percentage of its endowment funds annually to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities, such as libraries and schools, throughout the area. Nonprofits can apply for funding from select funds held at the Community Foundation through our competitive grant making processes.

Arts Regrant Program

Through the Arts Regrant Program, the City of Grand Forks invests in local arts- and culture-based nonprofits that produce quality experiences, enhance educational opportunities, and commit to the growth of new and diverse audiences. This funding supports these organizations as they facilitate the creation of art and cultural opportunities for the benefit of the public.

Funds are provided by the City of Grand Forks and the National Endowment for the Arts via the American Rescue Plan and are administered by the Community Foundation.

Community Opportunity Grant Program

Community Opportunity grants support improving the quality of life in our region in the following areas:
  • Arts & Culture: Provide exposure and access to artistic and cultural experiences which generate artistic growth and creativity for all ages.
  • Community & Human Services: Support programs, projects, and activities that promote community or human services for all.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Conserve natural resources and protect ecosystems to support health and wellbeing, now and in the future.
  • Human Rights: Support efforts that raise awareness and promote understanding and respect for human rights among all through education, mediation and conflict resolution, celebrations, and interventions.

Knight Donor-Advised Fund Grant Program

The Knight Donor-Advised Fund supports the success of our communities through investments that attract, retain, and harness talent; that expand opportunity by increasing entrepreneurship and economic mobility; and that support civic infrastructure to accelerate the growth of ideas and bring people from diverse social and economic backgrounds together. The current strategic focus in on engaging students through innovation and connecting the University of North Dakota campus community to that of Downtown Grand Forks.

Letters of inquiry that fit the current strategic focus are accepted on an ongoing basis.

Neel Family Fund Grant Program

​The Neel Family Fund was established by Joe K. Neel, Jr. to provide support of music education for children 18 years of age and younger in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Joe was a lifelong lover of music and recognized its importance in youth education. His lasting gift is intended to support music education for uses such as:
  • School music programs
  • Youth bands, choirs and orchestras, and summer programs
  • Purchases of music and instruments
  • Costs or fees for guest conductors and clinicians

Gifts are to be used to increase or supplement resources of music education rather than replace or supplant existing resources.

Women's Fund Grant Program

The mission of the Women’s Fund is to provide ideas, energy, and resources so that girls and women are empowered to achieve economic, social, and political equality.  
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The vision of the Women’s Fund is to:
  • raise awareness of challenges, concerns, and opportunities facing girls and women today
  • support opportunities that build leadership skills and confidence among girls and women
  • encourage women to become philanthropists​​