New Salem Community Foundation Grant

The New Salem Area Community Foundation (NSCF), part of the North Dakota Community Foundation (NDCF), serves as a permanent endowment supporting nonprofit initiatives that enhance community quality of life. Established in 2013 through a gift from the former New Salem Credit Union, the Foundation uses approximately four percent of its total fund earnings annually to support local projects and programs. NSCF operates under the NDCF’s broader infrastructure, which provides administrative, fiduciary, and philanthropic support, allowing the local committee to focus on growing the fund, conducting outreach, and reviewing grant applications. The Foundation will hold two funding rounds in 2025 with significant financial support from Grid United’s North Plains Connector Community Investment Program (NPC CIP). The first is a Spring Round with a March 31st application deadline and $61,000 in available funding. The second is a Fall Round with two components: a regular grant pool of $60,000 and a one-time special grant opportunity totaling $924,000, both with a September 29th deadline. This multi-round format enables applicants to apply more than once during the year, potentially securing funding for distinct initiatives. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, or organizations with an approved fiscal sponsor under those categories. All projects must serve Morton County, focusing specifically on New Salem and areas extending east into Mandan. Religious organizations may only receive funding for non-sectarian activities that benefit the broader community. Grants will not be awarded to individuals, and applications seeking general operating funds will receive lower priority. Preference will be given to projects that serve a larger segment of the community. Applications are submitted online through the NDCF’s grant portal at www.NDCF.net/NewSalem. Applicants are required to create an account using their organization’s name, EIN, and executive officer’s information. Once registered, applicants can select the specific grant opportunity, complete the form, and save their progress to return later. More detailed instructions are available on the grant portal, and assistance is offered through the local advisory committee or the Western ND Regional Director. Grant evaluations are conducted by the New Salem Area Community Foundation’s local advisory committee. This volunteer group assesses each application and determines funding based on program impact, alignment with community needs, and funding availability. Approved grants may receive full or partial funding depending on the discretion of the committee. Extensions and additional deadlines may be added by the committee if necessary. For inquiries or support, applicants are encouraged to contact Carrie Cofer, Committee Chair, via email at carriecofer@hotmail.com or reach the general foundation inbox at Newsalem@ndcf.net. For specialized giving options or anonymous donations, applicants can reach John Heinen, NDCF Western ND Regional Director, at (701) 590-4614 or John@NDCF.net.

Applicants are advised to review eligibility before applying, write down login credentials, and bookmark the portal for future access.