The Alex Stern Family Foundation appears to make targeted, local philanthropic investments supporting community fundraising infrastructure — specifically a major contribution to the Impact Foundation’s Giving Hearts initiative. Their giving is focused and programmatic rather than broad, signaling interest in enabling regional philanthropy and collective giving campaigns in the Fargo/North Dakota area.
A single $112,500 grant to Impact Foundation for Giving Hearts stands out in the Alex Stern Family Foundation’s recent record and points to a funder that supports local giving infrastructure as much as direct nonprofit work. The foundation has also backed Impact Foundation for the Community Benefit Fund, suggesting an interest in shared philanthropy platforms that channel resources into the Fargo area. Around that anchor, its giving includes operating support for youth sports, schools, children’s services, food assistance, and community organizations across Fargo–Moorhead and nearby North Dakota communities. The pattern is regional and practical: grants are commonly sized for modest operating support, but the foundation also makes larger commitments when it sees a community campaign or institution it wants to sustain. Recent recipients include Angels Hockey Club, Oak Grove Lutheran School, Fargo Parks & Recreation, and Red River Children’s Advocacy Ctr. Scholarships are part of the portfolio as well, with awards to several North Dakota institutions. Across the record, the foundation appears to favor organizations that serve local residents directly and strengthen the civic and nonprofit fabric of the Fargo–Moorhead area.
A core theme is community philanthropy infrastructure. The foundation gave $112,500 to Impact Foundation for Giving Hearts and $37,500 to the same organization for the Community Benefit Fund, indicating support for organized local fundraising vehicles rather than only single-service grants. It also backs youth recreation and school-based programs. Moorhead Youth Hockey received $30,000 for general operating support, while Angels Hockey Club received $25,000 for general operating support in multiple years. Education is another clear lane. Oak Grove Lutheran School received $25,000 for general operating support, and Capstone Classical Academy received $15,000 for general operating support in both 2024 and 2025. Human services and basic needs appear as well. Great Plains Food Bank received $10,000 for general operating support, and Red River Children’s Advocacy Ctr received $12,500 for general operating support in both 2024 and 2025.
Typical grants are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $5,000, median of $5,000, and p75 of $10,000. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Impact Foundation, Angels Hockey Club, Oak Grove Lutheran School, Capstone Classical Academy, Red River Children’s Advocacy Ctr, and others, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications and runs spring and fall rounds under its general grant programs. It is also a foundation, not a donor-advised fund or PRI-focused vehicle, and it funds individuals.
$554K
$9M
$524K
$635K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Highly concentrated, one-time large grant to a single local/community-focused intermediary rather than dispersed or multi-sector giving; appears to prioritize enabling collective fundraising mechanisms over many small direct-service grants.
Notable grantees: Impact Foundation (Giving Hearts)
Giving is heavily centered in North Dakota: 85% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and the top giving state is ND. The strongest concentration is in Fargo, with repeated grants to organizations such as Fargo Parks & Recreation and Fargo Park District Foundation, while Moorhead, Minnesota also appears through Moorhead Youth Hockey. Other North Dakota recipient cities in the recent list include West Fargo, Grand Forks, Mayville, Valley City, and Wahpeton. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
It supports nonprofits serving the greater Fargo–Moorhead area, especially in the arts, social welfare and human services, education, youth recreation, civic projects, and health issues. Recent grants also show support for scholarships, food assistance, volunteer-related work, and community benefit fundraising infrastructure.
Yes. Its general grant programs and annual grant program are described as competitive rounds that accept unsolicited applications, with spring and fall cycles.
The grant-size distribution is centered at $5,000: p25 is $5,000, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000.
It gives most often in North Dakota. The data shows 85% of grants go to recipients in ND, with a strong concentration in Fargo and nearby Moorhead, West Fargo, and other North Dakota cities.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Impact Foundation, Angels Hockey Club, Oak Grove Lutheran School, Capstone Classical Academy, Red River Children’s Advocacy Ctr, Haley’s Hope, and Moorhead Youth Hockey.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IMPACT FOUNDATION GIVING HEARTS DAY | FARGO, ND | $112,500 | 2026 | GIVING HEARTS |
| OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL | FARGO, ND | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANGELS HOCKEY CLUB | FARGO, ND | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HANDI-WHEELS TRANSPORTATION INC | FARGO, ND | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RED RIVER REGIONAL MARKSMANSHIP CEN | WEST FARGO, ND | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY DBA HIA HEALTH | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEREMIAH PROGRAM FARGO MOORHEAD | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOUL SOLUTIONS | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE VIL | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPE BLOOMS | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YWCA CASS CLAY | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SANFORD HEALTH FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LEND A HAND UP INC | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM SPONSOR |
| RED RIVER CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTE | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LANDON'S LIGHT FOUNDATION | WEST FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SMALL WONDERS PRESCHOOL & CHILD CAR | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN GOLD GYMNASTICS | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TNT KID'S FITNESS | FARGO, ND | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY OF MOORHEAD MATSON BASEBALL FIELD | MOORHEAD, MN | $8,333 | 2026 | MATSON FIELD IMPROVEMENTS |
| FARGO MOORHEAD ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATI | FARGO, ND | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS DENTAL SERVICES INC | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIO GIRLS | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CCRI | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRASER LTD | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF NORTH DAK | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTH DAKOTA AUTISM CENTER INC | WEST FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE LEARNING BANK | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FIX IT FORWARD MINISTRY | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CASS COUNTY NORTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL BONANZAVILLE | WEST FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RAPE AND ABUSE CRISIS CENTER OF FARGO-MOORHEAD | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY OF CARE | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | VOLUNTEER PROGRAM |
| HEART N SOUL COMMUNITY CAFE | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PLAINS ART MUSEUM | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FURNITURE MISSION OF THE RED RIVER | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE MOORHEAD LIBRARY | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT FO | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FM BALLET | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JAIL CHAPLAINS | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LAKE AGASSIZ HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RED RIVER DANCE & PERFORMING COMPAN | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HIP HOP & HOPE INC | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN FARGO- MOOR | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FARGO MOORHEAD AREA YOUTH SYMPHONIE | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FARGO MOORHEAD ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATI | FARGO, ND | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GOOSEBERRY PARK PLAYERS | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOPE INC | MOORHEAD, MN | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
IMPACT FOUNDATION GIVING HEARTS DAY
$112,500GIVING HEARTS
OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANGELS HOCKEY CLUB
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HANDI-WHEELS TRANSPORTATION INC
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RED RIVER REGIONAL MARKSMANSHIP CEN
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOSPICE OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY DBA HIA HEALTH
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Current and upcoming funding from Alex Stern Family Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving the greater Fargo–Moorhead area (contact the foundation to confirm eligibility).
Deadline: Annual spring deadline: March 31. Annual fall deadline: August 31.
JEREMIAH PROGRAM FARGO MOORHEAD
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SOUL SOLUTIONS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE VIL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOPE BLOOMS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YWCA CASS CLAY
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SANFORD HEALTH FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LEND A HAND UP INC
$10,000PROGRAM SPONSOR
RED RIVER CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LANDON'S LIGHT FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
SMALL WONDERS PRESCHOOL & CHILD CAR
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN GOLD GYMNASTICS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TNT KID'S FITNESS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CITY OF MOORHEAD MATSON BASEBALL FIELD
$8,333MATSON FIELD IMPROVEMENTS
FARGO MOORHEAD ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATI
$7,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHILDRENS DENTAL SERVICES INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
BIO GIRLS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CCRI
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRASER LTD
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF NORTH DAK
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTH DAKOTA AUTISM CENTER INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE LEARNING BANK
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FIX IT FORWARD MINISTRY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CASS COUNTY NORTH DAKOTA HISTORICAL BONANZAVILLE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RAPE AND ABUSE CRISIS CENTER OF FARGO-MOORHEAD
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
COMMUNITY OF CARE
$5,000VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
HEART N SOUL COMMUNITY CAFE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
PLAINS ART MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FURNITURE MISSION OF THE RED RIVER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE MOORHEAD LIBRARY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT FO
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FM BALLET
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JAIL CHAPLAINS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LAKE AGASSIZ HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RED RIVER DANCE & PERFORMING COMPAN
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HIP HOP & HOPE INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN FARGO- MOOR
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FARGO MOORHEAD AREA YOUTH SYMPHONIE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FARGO MOORHEAD ORCHESTRAL ASSOCIATI
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GOOSEBERRY PARK PLAYERS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HOPE INC
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations serving the greater Fargo-Moorhead area. Applicants are instructed to contact Dan Carey at 701-412-1937 to inquire about eligibility.
Deadline: Spring application deadline: March 31; Fall application deadline: August 31.
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