Leading initiatives to create a region of the healthiest people by building the fundraising and service success of charities, investing in health improvement ideas, and connecting people and resources to improve health and quality of life in the region.
Dakota Medical Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by recurring support for medical-crisis relief through Lend A Hand Up, which received $343,355 in 2024 and $340,435 in 2025 for grocery and gas gift cards plus boost grants. That pattern sits alongside a broader health-focused portfolio that includes dental access in rural North Dakota, addiction recovery advocacy, children’s health, and services for people facing medical hardship. The foundation also backs health-related infrastructure and training, such as school renovation, scholarships for therapy and communication-sciences students, and nonprofit capacity building through its High Impact Institute. The grants show a mix of direct aid and system support. Some awards meet immediate needs for individuals and families in crisis, while others fund organizations delivering care, education, or recovery services. In 2025, Dakota Medical Foundation also supported the North Dakota Dental Foundation, the North Dakota Office of the Governor’s addiction-recovery platform, and several child and family health providers, showing how its portfolio reaches both emergency response and longer-term health improvement. Across the recent grants list, the foundation appears to favor practical, program-specific support rather than broad unrestricted giving. Its work is closely tied to health access, community wellness, and nonprofit effectiveness in North Dakota.
Medical-crisis assistance is a clear theme. Dakota Medical Foundation gave $343,355 in 2024 and $340,435 in 2025 to Lend A Hand Up for grocery and gas gift cards and boost grants for people experiencing a medical crisis. Dental access is another recurring area. In 2025, the foundation awarded $264,567 to the North Dakota Dental Foundation for dental treatment in rural North Dakota and the Mission of Mercy, following similar support in 2024 and 2023. The foundation also funds addiction recovery work. It gave $165,000 in 2025 to the North Dakota Office of the Governor for the First Lady’s platform to reduce shame and stigma around addiction and promote recovery through education and advocacy. Children’s health shows up through multiple channels, including $73,279 in 2025 to the Optometric Foundation of North Dakota for free eye exams for children and elimination of vision problems.
$2.1M
$63.4M
$7.3M
$5.1M
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$25K
J Patrick Traynor
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Typical grants cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $8,000, median grant size is $12,226, and the 75th percentile is $25,125. That distribution sits below a smaller set of larger program awards, including six-figure support for health and crisis-response initiatives. Recent grantmaking is recurring rather than one-off in several cases, with the same organizations appearing across 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation is a private operating-style funder with local geographic scope and does not fund individuals directly or make program-related investments. Unsolicited applications are accepted for some active programs, including High Impact Institute and Lend A Hand Up.
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in North Dakota: 88% of grants went to recipients in the HQ state, and North Dakota is also the top state by grant count. Fargo appears often in the recipient list, alongside Bismarck, West Fargo, Jamestown, Grand Forks, Hankinson, Washburn, and other North Dakota communities. Outside North Dakota, recent recipients include Minneapolis-area Minnetonka, New York, and Pensacola, but every grant in the recipient-country distribution went to the US.
The foundation supports health and wellbeing work, including access to medical and dental care, addiction prevention and recovery support, emergency financial assistance for families in medical crisis, nonprofit capacity building, workforce development for health professions, and community philanthropy programs such as giving days and donor funds.
Typical grant size is relatively modest: the 25th percentile is $8,000, the median is $12,226, and the 75th percentile is $25,125. Recent grants also include larger program awards above $100,000 for selected health and crisis-response efforts.
Some active programs do. High Impact Institute accepts unsolicited requests, and several Lend A Hand Up-related programs also accept unsolicited participation. Other programs, such as the Breakthrough Idea Challenge, do not accept unsolicited applications.
Very concentrated. 88% of grants went to recipients in North Dakota, which is also the top state by grant count. The recipient list is entirely US-based in the data provided.
Recurring support appears in several areas. Lend A Hand Up received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and the North Dakota Dental Foundation also appears across those same years, indicating repeated support for the same organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Dakota Medical Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligibility limited to approved/eligible fundraisers started through the Lend A Hand Up platform (families or community fundraisers for medical crises).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lend A Hand Up | Fargo, ND | $340,435 | 2025 | Program support for individuals experiencing a medical crisis by providing grocery and gas gift cards and boost grants. |
| North Dakota Dental Foundation | Fargo, ND | $264,567 | 2025 | Program support to provide dental treatment to rural ND areas and Mission of Mercy. |
| North Dakota Office of the Governor | Bismarck, ND | $165,000 | 2025 | Program support for the First Lady's platform to eliminate the shame and stigma of addiction and promote recovery though education and advocacy. |
| Cullen Children's Foundation | West Fargo, ND | $118,083 | 2025 | Support children's healthcare needs with an emphasis on cancer |
| Alzheimer's Association | Minnetonka, MN | $101,500 | 2025 | Provide support services, care options and education regarding Alzheimer's and dementia |
| Blue Angels Foundation | Pensacola, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | Support wounded veterans |
| Washburn Public School District #4 | Washburn, ND | $100,000 | 2025 | Building Renovation project |
| Michael J Fox Foundation | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | Support Parkinson's research |
| Optometric Foundation of North Dakota | Fargo, ND | $73,279 | 2025 | Program support to free eye exams to children and eliminate vision problems. |
| Anne Carlsen Center | Jamestown, ND | $55,050 | 2025 | Support for kids with diabilities and special education needs |
| YWCA Cass Clay | Fargo, ND | $54,350 | 2025 | Program support to provide emergency shelter services for women and children and other health related services. |
| St Gerards Community Of Care | Hankinson, ND | $39,000 | 2025 | Program support for health-related services for those requiring skilled nursing care |
| Great Plains Food Bank | Fargo, ND | $33,982 | 2025 | Provide health-related services by distributing food to the hungry instead of it going to waste |
| Impact Foundation | Fargo, ND | $32,994 | 2025 | Support the Impact Learning Company and the Shoes for Kids Fiscal Sponsor Program, |
| Soul Solutions Recovery Center Inc | Fargo, ND | $29,880 | 2025 | Support for people suffering from substance use disorders including sponsoring certification costs |
| The Salvation Army | Fargo, ND | $28,000 | 2025 | Providing food and housing support to those in need |
| Women's Care Center | Fargo, ND | $27,000 | 2025 | Support for women facing unplanned pregnancies |
| Hospice of the Red River Valley | Fargo, ND | $26,100 | 2025 | Help people live comfortably and with a sense of normalcy, regardless of terminal illness and provide support to care givers |
| Fargo Theatre | Fargo, ND | $25,000 | 2025 | Support for the historic building, Wurlitzer organ, movies and events |
| Saint Gianna's Home Inc | Minto, ND | $22,040 | 2025 | Program support for health-related services. |
| Hope Blooms | Fargo, ND | $20,800 | 2025 | Provide socail and emotional well being by repurposing, rearranging and redistributing donated flowers |
| New Life Center | Fargo, ND | $20,500 | 2025 | Provide support to help men move from homelessness including support for shelter supervisors |
| Dear NICU Mama | Fargo, ND | $19,400 | 2025 | provide hope and connection to NICU mothers |
| Red River Children's Advocacy Center | Fargo, ND | $17,000 | 2025 | Provide support, healing, and justice for children who have experienced abuse or trauma. |
| Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation | Fargo, ND | $16,000 | 2025 | Support for necessary health and wellness items and clothing |
| Make A Wish North Dakota | Fargo, ND | $15,775 | 2025 | Create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses |
| Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley | Moorhead, MN | $15,120 | 2025 | Serve people with developmental disabilities of all ages through inclusion by working on the farm together |
| Calvary Lutheran Church | Grand Forks, ND | $13,717 | 2025 | Funding for bikes and helmets for kids in need |
| CHI Friendship | Fargo, ND | $12,000 | 2025 | New building campaign, Christmas gifts |
| Fraser Ltd | Fargo, ND | $12,000 | 2025 | Support youth and capital campaign for expansion of transitional youth services programs |
| Oak Grove Lutheran School | Fargo, ND | $11,300 | 2025 | Program support for health and fitness activities for youth |
| Community of Care | Casselton, ND | $11,050 | 2025 | Assist older adults to remain in their rural homes safely |
| Capstone Classical Academy | Fargo, ND | $10,500 | 2025 | Provide scholarships to students |
| UND Alumni Association And Foundation | Grand Forks, ND | $10,000 | 2025 | Program support for Parkinson's related education, research and PT/OT/Speech Therapy classes for students and staff |
| Horace Hawks Booster Club | Horace, ND | $10,000 | 2025 | Improving access to health activities for kids in the Horace ND area |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Minneapolis, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | Support MS research and provide assistance to families affected by MS |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Red River Valley | Fargo, ND | $9,975 | 2025 | Program support to provide housing for family members of critically ill children including funding of a memorial room |
| Essentia Health Foundation Fargo | Fargo, ND | $9,525 | 2025 | Program support for health-related services . |
| Patient Access Network Foundation | Philadelphia, PA | $9,250 | 2025 | Support Multiple Sclerosis patients in North Dakota |
| Legacy Children's Foundation | Fargo, ND | $9,075 | 2025 | Support young people by providing tools and connections to bring hope, encouragement and sense of community |
| Down Home | Fargo, ND | $8,615 | 2025 | Furnish homes and strengthen connects for those emerging from homelessness |
| Rape and Abuse Crisis Center | Fargo, ND | $8,440 | 2025 | Confidential crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and education to all persons affected by sexual and domestic violence. |
| Churches United for the Homeless | Moorhead, MN | $8,130 | 2025 | Support shelter for homeless |
| Martin's Lutheran Church | Casselton, ND | $8,000 | 2025 | Support for children's medical and mental health needs |
| Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation | Ulen, MN | $8,000 | 2025 | Provide support for veterans and raise awareness of PTSD among veterans |
| HERO | Fargo, ND | $7,775 | 2025 | Provide health-related services by recycling healthcare equipment |
| House of Everyday Learning | Fargo, ND | $7,500 | 2025 | Provide support to families through free screenings, program fees, group instruction, individualized programming, education and support |
| Trinity Lutheran Church of Moorhead | Moorhead, MN | $7,500 | 2025 | Car seats and scholarships for children attending Trinity Preschool |
| Community Violence Intervention Center Inc | Grand Forks, ND | $7,500 | 2025 | Support of leadership to end violence and deliver safety and healing |
| Bio Girls | Fargo, ND | $7,250 | 2025 | Promote self-esteem and mental well being in adolescent girls |
Lend A Hand Up
$340,435Program support for individuals experiencing a medical crisis by providing grocery and gas gift cards and boost grants.
North Dakota Dental Foundation
$264,567Program support to provide dental treatment to rural ND areas and Mission of Mercy.
North Dakota Office of the Governor
$165,000Program support for the First Lady's platform to eliminate the shame and stigma of addiction and promote recovery though education and advocacy.
Cullen Children's Foundation
$118,083Support children's healthcare needs with an emphasis on cancer
Provide support services, care options and education regarding Alzheimer's and dementia
Support wounded veterans
Washburn Public School District #4
$100,000Building Renovation project
Optometric Foundation of North Dakota
$73,279Program support to free eye exams to children and eliminate vision problems.
Support for kids with diabilities and special education needs
Program support to provide emergency shelter services for women and children and other health related services.
St Gerards Community Of Care
$39,000Program support for health-related services for those requiring skilled nursing care
Great Plains Food Bank
$33,982Provide health-related services by distributing food to the hungry instead of it going to waste
Impact Foundation
$32,994Support the Impact Learning Company and the Shoes for Kids Fiscal Sponsor Program,
Soul Solutions Recovery Center Inc
$29,880Support for people suffering from substance use disorders including sponsoring certification costs
The Salvation Army
$28,000Providing food and housing support to those in need
Women's Care Center
$27,000Support for women facing unplanned pregnancies
Hospice of the Red River Valley
$26,100Help people live comfortably and with a sense of normalcy, regardless of terminal illness and provide support to care givers
Fargo Theatre
$25,000Support for the historic building, Wurlitzer organ, movies and events
Saint Gianna's Home Inc
$22,040Program support for health-related services.
Hope Blooms
$20,800Provide socail and emotional well being by repurposing, rearranging and redistributing donated flowers
New Life Center
$20,500Provide support to help men move from homelessness including support for shelter supervisors
Dear NICU Mama
$19,400provide hope and connection to NICU mothers
Provide support, healing, and justice for children who have experienced abuse or trauma.
Fargo Public Schools Development Foundation
$16,000Support for necessary health and wellness items and clothing
Create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses
Farm in the Dell of the Red River Valley
$15,120Serve people with developmental disabilities of all ages through inclusion by working on the farm together
Calvary Lutheran Church
$13,717Funding for bikes and helmets for kids in need
CHI Friendship
$12,000New building campaign, Christmas gifts
Fraser Ltd
$12,000Support youth and capital campaign for expansion of transitional youth services programs
Oak Grove Lutheran School
$11,300Program support for health and fitness activities for youth
Community of Care
$11,050Assist older adults to remain in their rural homes safely
Program support for Parkinson's related education, research and PT/OT/Speech Therapy classes for students and staff
Horace Hawks Booster Club
$10,000Improving access to health activities for kids in the Horace ND area
Support MS research and provide assistance to families affected by MS
Program support to provide housing for family members of critically ill children including funding of a memorial room
Patient Access Network Foundation
$9,250Support Multiple Sclerosis patients in North Dakota
Legacy Children's Foundation
$9,075Support young people by providing tools and connections to bring hope, encouragement and sense of community
Down Home
$8,615Furnish homes and strengthen connects for those emerging from homelessness
Confidential crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and education to all persons affected by sexual and domestic violence.
Martin's Lutheran Church
$8,000Support for children's medical and mental health needs
Brady Oberg Legacy Foundation
$8,000Provide support for veterans and raise awareness of PTSD among veterans
HERO
$7,775Provide health-related services by recycling healthcare equipment
House of Everyday Learning
$7,500Provide support to families through free screenings, program fees, group instruction, individualized programming, education and support
Trinity Lutheran Church of Moorhead
$7,500Car seats and scholarships for children attending Trinity Preschool
Community Violence Intervention Center Inc
$7,500Support of leadership to end violence and deliver safety and healing