Golden Valley County Community Foundation Grant

The Golden Valley County Community Foundation (GVCCF) is a locally managed philanthropic initiative designed to enhance community development and support nonprofit organizations in Golden Valley County, North Dakota. Established in 2008 in response to limited funding options for local entities, the GVCCF operates as an affiliate of the North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF), a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Through this affiliation, GVCCF benefits from more than 40 years of NDCF’s experience in charitable services, including donor gift planning, fiduciary services, and financial oversight. This arrangement enables the GVCCF’s local advisory committee to focus on community engagement, fundraising, marketing, and grantmaking. The GVCCF is structured as a permanent endowment fund, supported by community donations. Donors can contribute to this fund, which qualifies for a 40% North Dakota tax credit, with roughly 4% of the fund's value distributed annually as grants to eligible projects. The fund has steadily grown over the years, with more than $198,000 awarded across 53 grants since its inception. Many of these awards in recent years have been supported by the North Plains Connector Community Investment Program (NPC CIP), highlighting a significant external funding partnership that bolsters GVCCF’s grantmaking capacity. The foundation holds two grant cycles each year, providing grant opportunities during the spring and fall. In 2026, the application deadlines are April 27 for the spring round, which offers $25,000 in total funding, and August 31 for the fall round, with $32,000 available. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or organizations with fiscal sponsorship that provides services within Golden Valley County. The foundation gives high priority to projects that serve youth, senior citizens, leadership initiatives, and community development. Additionally, proposals that demonstrate leveraged funding or collaborations are favorably considered. Requests for operational costs, individual grants or scholarships, and multi-year funding are deprioritized or deemed ineligible. The application process is facilitated through an online grant portal. Applicants must first create an account using their organization's name, Employer Identification Number (EIN), and executive officer’s name. Once registered, they can apply by selecting the appropriate grant cycle. The portal supports application saves and edits, making the process flexible for users. No letter of intent or pre-application is required to initiate the application. Applications are reviewed annually by the local advisory committee, which includes volunteers from Golden Valley County. The committee evaluates proposals based on alignment with funding priorities, community impact, and potential for additional funding support. Questions regarding the grant process can be directed to Deeann Baertsch, Chair of the Local Advisory Committee, via email at [email protected], or to the foundation inbox at [email protected]. For specialized inquiries such as anonymous giving or planned gifts, John Heinen, the Western ND Regional Director, can be contacted at (701) 590-4614 or [email protected]. The Golden Valley County Community Foundation’s consistent grantmaking timeline, coupled with its endowment-driven funding model and affiliation with a well-established state foundation, ensures ongoing support for a range of community-focused initiatives. The inclusion of NPC CIP funding further expands its reach and impact, especially in priority areas such as youth programs, infrastructure, emergency services, and cultural development.

High priority given to youth, seniors, leadership, and community development; proposals with matching funds viewed favorably.