The Fargo‑Moorhead Area Foundation concentrates on large, transformational investments in regional institutions—especially capital campaigns and land or facility purchases—while also supporting local nonprofits providing social services, hospice/palliative care, and faith‑based education. Their portfolio mixes multi‑year, repeat funding for core community organizations with targeted grants to cultural, youth sports, and veteran/animal welfare causes, and occasional larger gifts to national relief or research charities.
A defining pattern in the Fargo-moorhead Area Foundation Corporation’s recent giving is its use of large, project-oriented grants to strengthen local institutions. In 2023, it gave $2,000,000 to The Capstone Academy for general support and $1,500,000 to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library for general support, showing a willingness to place major resources behind organizations with long-term community roles. The foundation’s portfolio also includes substantial support for health care and housing-related projects, such as six-figure grants to Hospice of the Red River Valley and the Anne Carlson Center. Its grantmaking reaches beyond one sector. Recent awards include support for schools, campus ministry, community theatre, youth baseball, elder services, and disaster relief. The foundation has also backed capital campaigns and land or facility purchases, which points to a preference for funding that helps organizations build or secure physical assets. Alongside these larger commitments, it makes recurring grants to many of the same regional organizations over multiple years, suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-time transactions. The result is a funding pattern centered on community institutions, with a mix of operating support, capital support, and targeted project funding.
Education appears consistently in the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $900,000 to Oak Grove Lutheran School for general support and $250,000 to Umd Newman Catholic Campus Ministry for general support, then later added another $250,000 to the same campus ministry for the Seeds of Faith Campaign. It also supported student-focused work through $131,000 to Ndsu Foundation, including $25,000 for scholarships. Health and human services are another clear thread. The foundation awarded $255,819 to Hospice of the Red River Valley Dba Hia Hospice for general support and a hospice house, and $129,267 to Churches United for the Homeless for general support and emergency funding. Community arts and cultural institutions also receive sizable support, including $181,297 to Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre for a capital campaign tied to the FMAF Community Grant Round 2024. Youth recreation shows up as well, with $500,000 to Kindred Youth Baseball for general support.
$5.6M
$126.6M
$24.2M
$9.8M
Most grants fall between $8K and $25K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$25K
ERIC WILKIE
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar philanthropy with repeated multi‑grant relationships: a small set of large capital or campaign gifts dominate total dollars while many community organizations receive recurring operating or project support. Mostly local/regional focus, with occasional national or thematic gifts (disaster relief, veteran and animal welfare).
Notable grantees: THE CAPSTONE ACADEMY, ANNE CARLSON CENTER, THEODORE ROOSEVELT PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY, HOSPICE OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY, FARGO MOORHEAD COMMUNITY THEATRE
Typical awards are in the middle five figures: the 25th percentile is $8,169, the median is $12,500, and the 75th percentile is $25,220. That distribution sits alongside a small number of very large grants, which means the foundation mixes routine community grants with major project support. The recent grant list also shows repeat funding to the same organizations across multiple years, including The Capstone Academy, Anne Carlson Center, Hospice of the Red River Valley, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, Kindred Youth Baseball, and Umd Newman Catholic Campus Ministry. The foundation runs grant rounds through an online portal, and several programs accept unsolicited applications. It also funds individuals through its scholarship programs.
Grant activity is concentrated in North Dakota and nearby Minnesota communities. Fargo appears repeatedly, including awards to The Capstone Academy, Anne Carlson Center, Oak Grove Lutheran School, Hospice of the Red River Valley Dba Hia Hospice, and Ndsu Foundation. Moorhead is another frequent recipient city, with grants to Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre and Churches United for the Homeless. Other recipient locations include Kindred, Detroit Lakes, Jamestown, and Medora. Across the recent grants list, every listed recipient is in the United States, and 60% of grants go to recipients in North Dakota.
Recent grants show support for schools, hospice and elder-care organizations, campus ministry, community theatre, youth baseball, homelessness services, and disaster relief. Examples include Oak Grove Lutheran School, Hospice of the Red River Valley Dba Hia Hospice, Umd Newman Catholic Campus Ministry, Fargo Moorhead Community Theatre, Kindred Youth Baseball, and Churches United for the Homeless.
Yes. The foundation runs scholarship programs for students, and its active programs list includes Scholarships (Student Awards) and Student Scholarships. The data also shows scholarship support within broader grants, such as $25,000 to Ndsu Foundation for scholarships.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the mid five figures, with a 25th percentile of $8,169, a median of $12,500, and a 75th percentile of $25,220. It also makes occasional large grants far above that range.
North Dakota is the top state by grant count, and 60% of grants go to recipients in North Dakota. Recent recipients include organizations in Fargo, Kindred, Jamestown, Medora, and other North Dakota communities.
Yes. The foundation’s active programs include the FMAF Community Grant Round and Grant Rounds / Apply for a Grant, both of which accept unsolicited applications through the foundation’s grant portal. The Elmer & Kaya Berg Grant Round also accepts unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit applicants; details not shown in the provided content.
Deadline: 2026 timeline: Application opens February 16; deadline March 20; evaluation March 23 to June 19; awards announced June 22 to June 26.
Who can apply: Churches must be located in North Dakota and submit the grant application form with required attachments, including project description, budget, and church history.
Deadline: Applications for the Howell Pipe Organ Fund will be accepted at any time.
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL | FARGO, ND | $900,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOSPICE OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY DBA HIA HOSPICE | FARGO, ND | $255,819 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT ,HOSPICE HOUSE |
| GRAYSON-JOCKEY CLUB RESEARCH FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UMD NEWMAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY | DULUTH, MN | $250,000 | 2025 | SEEDS OF FAITH CAMPAIGN |
| FARGO MOORHEAD COMMUNITY THEATRE | MOORHEAD, MN | $181,297 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024 |
| WORLD VISION INC | FEDERAL WAY, WA | $150,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF SUPPORT |
| DETROIT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $135,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT,DETROIT LAKES LAKERS - FY 24-25 GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHURCHES UNITED FOR THE HOMELESS | MOORHEAD, MN | $129,267 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, EMERGENCY FUNDING |
| KINDRED YOUTH BASEBALL | KINDRED, ND | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NDSU FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $100,000 | 2025 | BISON STRIDES |
| DAZEY FIRE DEPARTMENT | DAZEY, ND | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR BUILDING PROJECT |
| MEMORY CAFE OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY | FARGO, ND | $93,845 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024 ($10,000 TO GENERAL OPERATING, $2,000 TO SING FROM YOUR HEART CHORUS),GHD MATCH,GIVING HEARTS DAY,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CASS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY | WEST FARGO, ND | $74,089 | 2025 | COSTS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAER PRESSED GLASS COLLECTION @ BONANZAVILLE,BONANZAVILLE ARTHUR HOUSE,MAINTENANCE OF MAIN BUILDING AND TO PROVIDE NEW DISPLAYS AND UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING DISPLAYS. |
| DETROIT LAKES COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $68,000 | 2025 | 2024 RENOVATION SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT,SUPPORT TO ESTABLISH SAILING SCHOOL |
| DETROIT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL-ISD #22 | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT FOR FY 23-24 DONATION |
| YWCA CASS CLAY | FARGO, ND | $55,106 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY | PHOENIX, AZ | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PROJECT 412 | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | ANNUAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEACE ACADEMY | FARGO, ND | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GARY SINISE FOUNDATION | NASHVILLE, TN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CASS CLAY COMMUNITY LAND TRUST | FARGO, ND | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PDJF (PERMANENTLY DISABLED JOCKEYS FUND) | LEXINGTON, KY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FURNITURE MISSION OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY | FARGO, ND | $46,250 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,NEW TRUCK SUPPORT,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RELEVANT LIFE CHURCH | FARGO, ND | $45,013 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IGNITE CHURCH | MOORHEAD, MN | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FAMILIES UNITED FOR SELF-EMPOWERMENT | FARGO, ND | $44,713 | 2025 | BACK-TO-SCHOOL CONNECT 2.0 EVENT FROM PPREP GRANT,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,THE BACK TO SCHOOL CONNECT PROGRAM |
| UNITED WAY OF CASS CLAY | FARGO, ND | $38,545 | 2025 | ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-GENERAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT,WORKFORCE INITIATIVE (FINAL) YEAR 3 |
| RAPE AND ABUSE CRISIS CENTER OF FARGO-MOORHEAD | FARGO, ND | $37,303 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE BETH EL | FARGO, ND | $36,890 | 2025 | ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-RABBINIC PRESENCE |
| SANFORD HEALTH FOUNDATION | FARGO, ND | $35,000 | 2025 | TEIKEN ACADEMY,THE ROGER MARIS FUND A MISSION |
| FARGO-MOORHEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | FARGO, ND | $34,990 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT,ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-CADENZA FUND,ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-PODIUM FUND |
| DETROIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $34,156 | 2025 | DMRA DONATION #CO2499,MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORT |
| RED RIVER ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | FARGO, ND | $30,420 | 2025 | CARE AND FEEDING OF EXHIBIT ANIMALS,GIVING HEARTS DAY FOR CARE AND FEED FOR THE ANIMALS |
| ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH | FARGO, ND | $30,000 | 2025 | THE REPAIR THE WAY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| MINNESOTA FLYERS GYMNASTICS INC | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF "MOVEMENT MATTERS" |
| HAZELDEN BETTY FORD FOUNDATION | SAINT PAUL, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT ,SUPPORT FOR NATIVE AMERICAN INITIATIVE PROGRAM |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD - MOORHEAD | MOORHEAD, MN | $30,000 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEART-N-SOUL COMMUNITY CAFE | FARGO, ND | $26,711 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE LAKES | DETROIT LAKES, MN | $26,683 | 2025 | ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-CARE OF ANIMALS-SUCH AS FOOD & MEDICAL COSTS,GIVING HEARTS DAY |
| THE VILLAGE FAMILY SERVICE CENTER | FARGO, ND | $26,619 | 2025 | ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOPE BLOOMS | FARGO, ND | $26,227 | 2025 | FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER FARGO | FARGO, ND | $26,100 | 2025 | STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD | MOORHEAD, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | DEBT CHALLENGE MATCH |
| CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HONORHEALTH FOUNDATION | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | DESERT MISSION BACKPACK/ SNACK PACK PROGRAM |
| FOOD BANK OF NORTHERN NEVADA | SPARKS, NV | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VALLEY CITY BARNES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY | VALLEY CITY, ND | $25,000 | 2025 | LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY TO REPAIR THE ROOF AND RESTORE THE DOME |
| SHEYENNE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | VALLEY CITY, ND | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR BARTLE GIVING LIST |
| MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF ARIZONA | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF CHIMBOTE | WEST FARGO, ND | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
OAK GROVE LUTHERAN SCHOOL
$900,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UMD NEWMAN CATHOLIC CAMPUS MINISTRY
$250,000SEEDS OF FAITH CAMPAIGN
FARGO MOORHEAD COMMUNITY THEATRE
$181,297CAPITAL CAMPAIGN,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024
DISASTER RELIEF SUPPORT
DETROIT LAKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
$135,000ANNUAL SUPPORT,DETROIT LAKES LAKERS - FY 24-25 GENERAL SUPPORT
KINDRED YOUTH BASEBALL
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DAZEY FIRE DEPARTMENT
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR BUILDING PROJECT
FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024 ($10,000 TO GENERAL OPERATING, $2,000 TO SING FROM YOUR HEART CHORUS),GHD MATCH,GIVING HEARTS DAY,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT
CASS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$74,089COSTS DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE RAER PRESSED GLASS COLLECTION @ BONANZAVILLE,BONANZAVILLE ARTHUR HOUSE,MAINTENANCE OF MAIN BUILDING AND TO PROVIDE NEW DISPLAYS AND UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING DISPLAYS.
DETROIT LAKES COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER
$68,0002024 RENOVATION SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT,SUPPORT TO ESTABLISH SAILING SCHOOL
DETROIT LAKES HIGH SCHOOL-ISD #22
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT FOR FY 23-24 DONATION
ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PROJECT 412
$50,000ANNUAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT
PEACE ACADEMY
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FURNITURE MISSION OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY
$46,250FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,NEW TRUCK SUPPORT,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT
RELEVANT LIFE CHURCH
$45,013GENERAL SUPPORT
IGNITE CHURCH
$45,000GENERAL FUND
FAMILIES UNITED FOR SELF-EMPOWERMENT
$44,713BACK-TO-SCHOOL CONNECT 2.0 EVENT FROM PPREP GRANT,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,THE BACK TO SCHOOL CONNECT PROGRAM
ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-GENERAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT,WORKFORCE INITIATIVE (FINAL) YEAR 3
GENERAL SUPPORT,FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT
TEMPLE BETH EL
$36,890ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-RABBINIC PRESENCE
FARGO-MOORHEAD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$34,990GENERAL SUPPORT,ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-CADENZA FUND,ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-PODIUM FUND
DETROIT MOUNTAIN RECREATION AREA
$34,156DMRA DONATION #CO2499,MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN SUPPORT
CARE AND FEEDING OF EXHIBIT ANIMALS,GIVING HEARTS DAY FOR CARE AND FEED FOR THE ANIMALS
ATONEMENT LUTHERAN CHURCH
$30,000THE REPAIR THE WAY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
MINNESOTA FLYERS GYMNASTICS INC
$30,000SUPPORT OF "MOVEMENT MATTERS"
GENERAL SUPPORT ,SUPPORT FOR NATIVE AMERICAN INITIATIVE PROGRAM
HEART-N-SOUL COMMUNITY CAFE
$26,711FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE LAKES
$26,683ANNUAL DESIGNATED DISTRIBUTION-CARE OF ANIMALS-SUCH AS FOOD & MEDICAL COSTS,GIVING HEARTS DAY
HOPE BLOOMS
$26,227FMAF COMMUNITY GRANT ROUND 2024,CARING CATALOG - GENERAL SUPPORT,GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDREN'S MONTESSORI CENTER FARGO
$26,100STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
$25,000DEBT CHALLENGE MATCH
VALLEY CITY BARNES COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
$25,000LIGHT UP THE LIBRARY TO REPAIR THE ROOF AND RESTORE THE DOME
SHEYENNE VALLEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT FOR BARTLE GIVING LIST
FRIENDS OF CHIMBOTE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT