Creative Community Solutions
This grant funds innovative, community-driven projects in North Dakota and Native Nations to develop, test, and share scalable solutions to local challenges.
Funder: Bush Foundation
Due Dates: April 30, 2026 (Spring Round One) | September 30, 2026 (Fall Round Two) | April 30, 2027 (Annual Spring)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 total per project; project duration 1–6 years; smaller requests and shorter timelines also considered.
Summary: Funds innovative, community-based solutions addressing challenges in North Dakota and Native Nations, with support for project development, testing, and dissemination.
Key Information: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, government agencies, or religious institutions (for non-religious purposes) serving North Dakota or Native Nations.
Description
This grant program, administered by Strengthen ND with support from the Bush Foundation, seeks to fund the most promising and innovative ideas that address community challenges and create opportunities across North Dakota and the Native Nations sharing its geography. The focus is on developing, testing, and spreading solutions that can be scaled or adapted by other communities. Projects are selected by a diverse Grantmaking Committee of North Dakotans. In addition to funding, grantees receive technical assistance, access to expert advisors ("Kitchen Cabinets"), and opportunities for peer learning and networking. The program values collaborative, resourceful, and community-driven approaches that demonstrate potential for significant, lasting impact.
