The Burgum Foundation is a private family foundation based in Fargo, North Dakota, established in 2015 by Frederick (Rick) and Jody Burgum. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting education and quality of life initiatives in rural North Dakota communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.4M
+5.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+5.6% YoY
Grant Count
29
-21.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$35K
+34.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Burgum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $866K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: The mission of the Burgum Foundation is to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life by fostering and encouraging education, good values and an entrepreneurial spirit. The foundation seeks to make contributions that will produce a meaningful, measurable and positive impact to the lives of present and future generations.
Primary Funding Focus: The foundation concentrates its grantmaking on rural education and related quality of life projects in North Dakota. Specific funding emphasis areas include:
- Supporting Students: Ensuring access to academic fundamentals and removing barriers to learning
- Teacher Leadership Opportunities: Supporting Teacher Leadership cohorts in collaboration between local school districts and North Dakota universities, offering Master's degrees in Educational Leadership. These on-site programs serve schools across the state and are completed in five semesters.
- Mental Health Services in Rural Schools: Supporting behavioral health services in rural North Dakota schools to increase access for students needing mental health services
- Curriculum Development and Professional Training: Funding for program development and capacity-building initiatives
- Enrichment Programs: Supporting activities that benefit students, teachers, and school professionals
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$214 to $165,485
Average Grant
amount: Approximately $14,000
Review Cycle
June 30, 2026
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Burgum Foundation funds exclusively in rural North Dakota communities that are not connected to or part of the state's larger cities. Historical grantmaking data indicates the foundation also supports organizations in Virginia and Minnesota, though North Dakota remains the primary focus area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $3,397,671
- Total revenues: $691,373
- Total expenses: $1,209,382
- Total liabilities: $0
Historical Asset Growth: Assets have grown from $80,000 in 2015 to $3.4 million in 2024.
Staffing:
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,397,671 | $3,223,353 | $3,238,447 |
| Revenue | $691,373 | $451,723 | $5,322 |
| Expenses | $1,209,382 | $1,082,644 | $771,308 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,180,938 | $1,058,105 | $727,245 |
| Net Investment Income | $679,352 | $421,906 | $172,946 |
| Distributable Amount | $866,103 | $714,331 | $687,258 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
194 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Arizona State University Foundation ($145,659), University of Mary ($137,813), FM Area Foundation ($114,667).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Foundation Tempe, AZ | Education programming | $145,659 |
| Bill of Rights Institute Arlington, VA | ND programming | $52,218 |
| Carrington Public School Carrington, ND | Able in School | $6,500 |
| Center-Stanton Public School Center, ND | Able in School | $1,500 |
| Dakotas United Methodist Foundation Sioux Falls, SD | Spirit Lake programming | $42,762 |
| Define the Fight Hunter, ND | Youth programming | $7,500 |
| Emerging Prairie Fargo, ND | TedX | $3,000 |
| FM Area Foundation Fargo, SD | Operational support | $114,667 |
| Growing Small Towns Oakes, ND | Rural Entrepreneurship support | $45,000 |
| Haley's Hope West Fargo, ND | Literacy tutoring | $20,375 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Julia Asprey: Executive Director
- Katherine B Itterman: President, Treasurer, and Executive Director (as of 2023)
- Frederick (Rick) and Jody Burgum: Founders
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine B Itterman | President/Treasurer/Exec Board Chair | 20 | $12,000 |
| Frederick W Burgum | Board Chair/Director | 2 | — |
| Brooks F Burgum | Vice President/Director | 0.5 | — |
| Jodelle J Burgum | Secretary/Director | 0.5 | — |
| Julia Asprey | Executive Director | 40 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: www.burgumfoundation.org
- Email: info@burgumfoundation.org
- Phone: 701-967-8312
- Address: 210 Broadway N. Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58102
- Mailing Address: PO Box 145, Arthur, ND 58006-0145
- EIN: 47-5349180
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Burgum Foundation fund?
**Mission Statement:** The mission of the Burgum Foundation is to provide opportunities for people from all walks of life by fostering and encouraging education, good values and an entrepreneurial spirit. The foundation seeks to make contributions that will produce a meaningful, measurable and positive impact to the lives of present and future generations. **Primary Funding Focus:** The foundation concentrates its grantmaking on rural education and related quality of life projects in North Dako…
How do I apply for a grant from Burgum Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $1,019,412 (most recent filing) • Typical grant range: $214 to $165,485 • Average grant amount: Approximately $14,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000 • Recent grants made: 22 grants in 2024 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • ASU Foundation: $145,659 (Education Programming) • University of Mary: $137,813 (Tuition Support) • Valley City State University: $70,000 (Educational Materials) • Valley City Public Schools **Application Process:** • Grant applications…
Where does Burgum Foundation make grants?
The Burgum Foundation funds exclusively in rural North Dakota communities that are not connected to or part of the state's larger cities. Historical grantmaking data indicates the foundation also supports organizations in Virginia and Minnesota, though North Dakota remains the primary focus area.
What size grants does Burgum Foundation award?
In 2024, Burgum Foundation awarded 29 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $35K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Burgum Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Burgum Foundation reported a distributable amount of $866K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Burgum Foundation's EIN?
Burgum Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-5349180. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Burgum Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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