The North Dakota Department of Commerce is offering the Historic Theater Restoration Matching Grant to support infrastructure improvements for historic theaters. This program is funded with $500,000 allocated for the current biennium, which spans from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. The grant aims to ensure the continued operation of historic theaters or enhance the visitor experience through restoration and improvement projects. It specifically requires that every dollar awarded be matched by one dollar from non-state sources.
Eligible applicants must be operational historic theaters located in North Dakota, constructed prior to 1930, and offering events open to the public. The program does not accept applications from theaters that are not currently in operation or that do not regularly host public events. The grant is strictly intended for physical infrastructure improvements and does not cover administrative costs.
The application process requires a concise letter submission to the Department of Commerce. Applications must include the applicant’s identity, a point of contact with full contact details, the amount requested, intended uses of the funds, current and future events, and the anticipated outcomes of the project. All applications must be submitted electronically by 5:00 p.m. CDT on September 1, 2025, to the Grant Administrator within the Tourism & Marketing division.
Applications will be evaluated by the Department of Commerce based on the submitted information. Award notifications will be sent after the review process, and funds will be distributed on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursements will be made at 50% of submitted invoices, ensuring the 1:1 non-state matching requirement is met. Matching funds must be confirmed before reimbursement.
Successful applicants must comply with strict accountability and reporting requirements. Every six months, grantees are required to submit a written report, using the format provided by the Department of Commerce, detailing expenditures and progress toward the stated outcomes. A final report is due by June 30, 2027, summarizing how the funds were used, outlining progress made, identifying any unspent funds, and providing photo or video documentation of the results.
For more information or to submit applications, interested parties should contact McKenzie Clayburgh at clayburghmckenzie@nd.gov or call 701-328-5300. The mailing address for the Department of Commerce is 1600 E. Century Ave., Suite 6, Bismarck, ND 58503.
