ND250 Commission Funds $94K in Community Grants

15 Projects Receive Funding to Tell Local Stories Through Art, Education, and Performance

BISMARCK, ND, - The ND250 Commission has awarded 15 community grants totaling $94,355 to support projects across North Dakota that celebrate and promote the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Program helps organizations and local governments develop engaging projects that honor North Dakota's influential role in America's story.

"These grants represent more than funding-they're an investment in how communities across North Dakota share their piece of the American story," said Bill Peterson, director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and chair of the ND250 Commission. "From murals and musical theater to lectures and living history, these projects help connect people to the past in ways that are meaningful, engaging, and rooted in local pride."

Grant recipients include:

• Bismarck Historical Society - $6,245 for two scholars in Bismarck to interpret the experiences of historical figures influential to local history
• City of Beach - $5,000 for art reflecting the unique historic landscape and cultural heritage
• City of Bismarck - $10,000 for a series of art and heritage signs in downtown Bismarck
• City of Maddock - $6,600 for a field trip to the ND Heritage Center & State Museum and a professional portrayal of Theodore Roosevelt for the city's 125th anniversary
• DAR Mandan - $2,700 for three one-hour programs on early presidential administrations, part American culture review and part cooking show
• DSU Heritage Foundation - $10,000 for a musical theater production celebrating Theodore Roosevelt and the 250th anniversary through music, storytelling, and performance
• Fargo North High School - $1,000 for a field trip to the ND Heritage Center & State Museum
• Folkways - $10,000 for a large-scale mural on the VFW building in downtown Fargo
• Fort Pembina Historical Society - $1,000 for a lecture and workshop series covering historic topics
• Grand Forks Public Library - $1,810 to purchase copies of the Declaration of Independence, U.S. flag etiquette booklets, discussion books, posters, and honorariums for guest scholars
• Jamestown Public School District - $1,000 for a field trip to the ND Heritage Center & State Museum
• Pembina Gorge Foundation - $10,000 to support the community presentation of Tintypes at Frost Fire Park
• Phi Kappa Phi, Fargo - $10,000 to host a public lecture by philosopher and cultural theorist Kwame Anthony Appiah, centered on his influential essay "The Democratic Spirit"
• Sheyenne GRIT - $10,000 for a local professional to digitally record oral histories from regional residents
• Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa - $9,000 for a public historical exhibit interpreting treaty-making, land negotiations, federal policy shifts, and cultural traditions that shaped the TMBC

The ND250 Commission received 42 applications, which were reviewed and scored by a select committee.

The ND250 Community Initiatives Grant Program remains open for applications through April 1, 2026. Proposals are reviewed and scored quarterly to determine funding. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, as well as city, county, and tribal governments. Grant guidelines and applications can be found at www.ND250.com.

About ND250 Commission
The ND250 Commission, administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, leads the state's efforts to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. throughout 2026. Through meaningful, inclusive, and inspiring projects and events, the commission celebrates North Dakota's rich history, diverse people, and bright future while honoring the state's heritage, democratic values, and spirit of community.

For More Information:
Melissa Klocke-Joyce
ND250 Coordinator
State Historical Society of North Dakota
701-328-6073 I [email protected] estion