Community Hall Grant

The North Dakota Department of Commerce is offering the Community Hall Grant for the 2025–2027 biennium, with total appropriated funds of $175,000. This grant is designed to support eligible organizations in rural North Dakota that operate community halls providing multi-function spaces for community events. The Department of Commerce oversees this initiative through its Tourism and Marketing Division, aiming to preserve and improve infrastructure that supports community gatherings, cultural activities, and public events in rural areas. The funding is available for the current biennium, running from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Eligible applicants must be community halls located in rural North Dakota communities that host multi-purpose events for the public. The primary objective of the grant is to maintain and improve the physical infrastructure of these facilities. The funds are specifically intended for infrastructure improvements that will allow the continued use of the facility for public and community events. Administrative costs are not an eligible use of funds. The application process requires eligible organizations to submit a concise application letter electronically to the Department of Commerce. Applications must include details such as the applicant’s identity, point of contact with associated contact information, the amount requested, the intended uses for the funds, any current infrastructure challenges, descriptions of current and/or future events, and the desired outcomes from the project. The deadline for submission is 5:00 p.m. CDT on September 1, 2025. Applications should be sent to McKenzie Clayburgh, Grant Administrator for the Department of Commerce’s Tourism and Marketing Division, at clayburghmckenzie@nd.gov. Once received, applications will be reviewed by the Department of Commerce, which will evaluate them for eligibility and alignment with the program’s objectives. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions upon completion of the review process, and award funds will be issued to successful applicants. There is no indication of multiple rounds within this biennium, so applicants must meet the stated deadline for consideration. Award recipients are responsible for maintaining detailed records of expenditures and making them available for auditing purposes. Grantees must also provide written progress reports to the Department of Commerce every six months, using a format provided by the department, to fulfill legislative reporting requirements. A final report summarizing fund usage, progress toward stated outcomes, and documentation of results, including photo and video assets, must be submitted by June 30, 2027. Any unspent funds must be identified in the final report. This accountability structure ensures that public funds are used transparently and effectively for their intended purpose. Contact for this grant is McKenzie Clayburgh at the North Dakota Department of Commerce, located at 1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 6, Bismarck, ND 58503. She can be reached at 701-328-5300 or via email at clayburghmckenzie@nd.gov. This grant represents a targeted investment in the infrastructure of rural community halls to ensure their continued role as essential gathering places for North Dakota residents.