For years, the Community Foundation has been making a significant impact in the lives of area residents through our grant making process. Arts and culture, green spaces, human rights, economic stability for women, sports 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 up to 5% of its endowment funds annually to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities throughout the area. Nonprofits can apply for funding from select funds held at the Community Foundation through a competitive grant-making process.

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 specific programs of 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 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 to all.
  • Education: Assist individuals in gaining knowledge and developing life-long learning skills through educational programs, projects, and activities.
  • Green Spaces: Improve, benefit, or make use of public accessible green spaces and natural environment along the Greenway through programs, projects, and activities. Benefits may include, but are not limited to, maintenance and permanent capital improvements, support for public use awareness, marketing, environmental education, and related activities.
  • 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 intervention program, projects, and activities.​​

Knight 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.

Nonprofit Relief Fund Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region is focused on helping our community and area nonprofits during the COVID-19 crisis. We acknowledge a rising public concern in these unprecedented times, but our faith in philanthropy has not wavered. The global situation has been a test in compassion, connection, and community support. We fully believe in the strength and integrity of our region, and, through collective effort, know that we will overcome the challenges facing our nonprofits and neighbors alike.
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To enhance our regional response to this pandemic, the Foundation has created the Nonprofit Relief Fund to provide immediate support for nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 disaster in Grand Forks and Walsh Counties in ND and Polk County in MN.

The Nonprofit Relief Fund grants will only be awarded to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofit organizations and public entities, such as schools and libraries.

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​​