Burgum Foundation
The Burgum Foundation is a private foundation based in rural North Dakota that supports education and related quality-of-life projects in rural communities across the state. Its filing lists Arthur, North Dakota, as its location; the foundation describes itself as established in 2015 by Frederick (Rick) and Jody Burgum.
Burgum Foundation at a glance
In short: Burgum Foundation gave $1.0M across 29 grants in 2024 (avg $35K), mostly in North Dakota. 48% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,019,412
- +5.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 29
- -21.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,152
- +34.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,375
- Total assets
- $3,397,671
- +5.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 48% first-time grantees (14 of 29, 2024)
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (61% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Burgum Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 145, Arthur, ND 58006-0145
Phone: (701) 967-8312
Website: https://burgumfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Burgum Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Arizona State University Foundation ($146K). Together the top 10 received $797K.
Grant Size Distribution
194 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 176 grants of 194 (91%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its place-based funding as supporting rural North Dakota communities that are not connected to or part of the state’s larger cities. In 2024, its reported grant dollars by recipient state were North Dakota 61%, South Dakota 15%, Arizona 14%, Virginia 5%, and Colorado 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Burgum Foundation open to new grantees?
48%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 29 grantees (48%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $39K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 83% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 136% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $406K (2020) to $1.0M (2024). In 2024 it made 29 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University Foundation Tempe, AZ | Education programming | $145,659 |
| University of Mary Bismarck, ND | Tuition support | $137,813 |
| FM Area Foundation Fargo, SD | Operational support | $114,667 |
| Valley City State University Valley City, ND | Educational materials | $70,000 |
| Nexus Path Family Healing Fargo, ND | Rural TCM program | $69,738 |
| Wilton Public School Wilton, ND | School based support | $60,000 |
| Wahpeton Public School Wahpeton, ND | Tuition support | $52,349 |
| Bill of Rights Institute Arlington, VA | ND programming | $52,218 |
| UND Foundation Grand Forks, ND | Rural teacher tuition | $50,016 |
| Growing Small Towns Oakes, ND | Rural Entrepreneurship support | $45,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Burgum Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,397,671 | $691,373 | $1,209,382 | $1,019,412 | 29 | $1,180,938 | $679,352 | $866,103 |
| 2023 | $3,223,353 | $451,723 | $1,082,644 | $965,004 | 37 | $1,058,105 | $421,906 | $714,331 |
| 2022 | $3,238,447 | $5,322 | $771,308 | $601,345 | 44 | $727,245 | $172,946 | $687,258 |
| 2021 | $3,592,065 | $671,155 | $648,093 | $555,873 | 38 | $628,042 | $651,877 | $722,752 |
| 2020 | $3,189,555 | $225,398 | $484,907 | $406,363 | 46 | — | $203,991 | $550,818 |
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.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports rural education projects in North Dakota, including programs and capacity-building such as curriculum development, professional training, and enrichment. Its current focus areas are supporting students by improving access to academic fundamentals and removing barriers to learning; equipping educators through advanced education, resources, and professional experiences; and cultivating innovation to help schools respond to rural needs. The foundation also identifies literacy as a current funding emphasis.
Eligible organizations described by the foundation include public school districts, IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) public charities such as colleges and universities, and charitable projects operating under a fiscal sponsor. Examples among its grantees include the University of Mary, whose stated mission is to serve the religious, academic, and cultural needs of people in its region and beyond. Haley’s Hope says it provides one-on-one tutoring using an Orton-Gillingham-based system to support people with dyslexia. The Bill of Rights Institute says it teaches history and civics and equips students and teachers to live the ideals of a free and just society.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $1,019,412. Grant amounts ranged from $1,500 to $145,659, with a median of $16,375. Among the largest awards were $145,659 to Arizona State University Foundation for education programming; $137,813 to the University of Mary for tuition support; $114,667 to FM Area Foundation for operational support; and $70,000 to Valley City State University for educational materials. Other awards included $69,738 to Nexus Path Family Healing for a rural TCM program and $60,000 to Wilton Public School for school-based support.
The foundation’s website says applications are accepted year-round, with reviews and disbursements once annually. Applicants may mark a request “urgent” to notify the team of a time-sensitive need for review before the designated grant round. The foundation states in its filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Katherine B Itterman as President, Treasurer, and Executive Board Chair; Frederick W Burgum as Board Chair and Director; Brooks F Burgum as Vice President and Director; and Jodelle J Burgum as Secretary and Director. Julia Asprey is listed as Executive Director.
Burgum Foundation is led by Katherine B Itterman, President, Treasurer & Executive Board Chair since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Katherine B Itterman
President, Treasurer & Executive Board Chair
President, Treasurer & Executive Director → President, Treasurer & Executive Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$28K (2020) → $12K (2024)
Julia Asprey
Executive Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Frederick W Burgum
Board Chair & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brooks F Burgum
Vice President & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jodelle J Burgum
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $12K, to Katherine B Itterman (President/Treasurer/Exec Board Chair).
Frequently asked questions about Burgum Foundation
How much does Burgum Foundation give each year?
Burgum Foundation gave $1.0M across 29 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $965K across 37 grants.
What is Burgum Foundation's typical grant size?
Burgum Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $16,375, and its average grant was $35,152, across 29 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Burgum Foundation that year got $31K on average.
Where does Burgum Foundation give grants?
Burgum Foundation gives mostly in North Dakota: 61% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were South Dakota (15%) and Arizona (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Fargo, ND (3 grants), Bismarck, ND (2 grants) and Hunter, ND (2 grants).
Does Burgum Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 10% of Burgum Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Able in School" (4 grants) and "Tuition support" (3 grants).
Who are Burgum Foundation's largest grantees?
Burgum Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Arizona State University Foundation ($145,659), University of Mary ($137,813) and FM Area Foundation ($114,667), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Burgum Foundation?
Burgum Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $866K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Burgum Foundation fund?
The foundation supports rural education projects in North Dakota, including programs and capacity-building such as curriculum development, professional training, and enrichment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Burgum Foundation?
Burgum Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check burgumfoundation.org for any change to that policy.
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.
Does Burgum Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Burgum Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Burgum Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Burgum Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/burgum-foundation-morg_8455095f08b041d6bc1accc7aa75e8c5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_475349180_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Burgum Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/burgum-foundation-morg_8455095f08b041d6bc1accc7aa75e8c5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Burgum Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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