Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors
The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau (also known as Visit Fargo-Moorhead) is a nonprofit organization established in 1981 that serves as the official destination marketing organization for Fargo, North Dakota; West Fargo, North Dakota; and Moorhead, Minnesota. The organization operates as a Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), a not-for-profit entity charged with representing a specific destination and largely funded by hotel occupancy taxes.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$5.5M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Count
3
Avg Grant Size
$367K
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: Visit Fargo-Moorhead works to position the distinctive community as a desirable destination and gateway to the region and nation, resulting in a superior quality of life for its residents.
Vision Statement: Visit Fargo-Moorhead will be the respected authority on Tourism as an Economic Development strategy that enhances the quality of life for the region. The organization will collaboratively develop and promote a shared community vision to enhance the attractiveness of the region for visitors and residents alike.
Core Values:
- Start with YES: Finding ways to help and collaborating on solutions
- Join forces: Willingness to collaborate with partners
The organization's primary exempt purpose is to enhance the economic life of the community by attracting all varieties of visitors, including leisure travelers, business travelers, group tours, meetings and conferences, and youth and adult sporting events.
Grantmaking
The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau awards grants through its Destination Development Grants program.
Grant Range
$100,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization focuses on the Fargo-Moorhead region, specifically serving Fargo, North Dakota; West Fargo, North Dakota; and Moorhead, Minnesota. Recent grant activity indicates involvement in destination development projects across North Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $5.3 million (as of 2023)
Annual Giving: $1.2 million (2023)
Total Giving Trends:
- 2023: $1.2 million in grants across 10 awards
- 2022: $255,000 in grants across 2 awards
Annual Expenses: $1.7 million
Giving Rate: 21.8% of assets
Staffing: The organization employs approximately 18 people (with some sources indicating 10 employees).
Funding Source: The organization is fully funded by a lodging tax paid by visitors staying in area hotels and is governed by a board of directors.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,478,847 | $5,442,669 | $4,565,525 |
| Revenue | $4,889,779 | $4,346,413 | $3,851,718 |
| Expenses | $4,589,210 | $3,465,332 | $2,795,342 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $195,548 | $70,615 | $29,404 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
63 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include FM Community Theatre ($500,000), Concordia College ($300,000), FM Science Museum ($300,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Concordia College Moorhead, MN | New turf, track, and lights at stadium | $300,000 |
| FM Science Museum Fargo, ND | Architectural design for Museum | $300,000 |
| FM Community Theatre Moorhead, MN | Construction of New Facility | $500,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: Shirley Hughes
Sports Department: Steve Saxlund, Director of Sports
The organization is split into four departments: Convention Sales, Sports Sales, Marketing, and Admin.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Peters | Chair | 1 | — |
| Nicole Dutton | Executive Committee Member | 1 | — |
| Clare Hughes | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Kember Anderson | Secretary/Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Holly Heitkamp | Director | 1 | — |
| Ramon Sosa | Director | 1 | — |
| James Stinsman | Director | 1 | — |
| Kimberly Busch | Director | 1 | — |
| Casey Sanders-Berglund | Director | 1 | — |
| Kira Odenbach | Director (As of Sept 24) | 1 | — |
| Emily Nielsen | Director | 1 | — |
| Tanner Tweten | Director (Until June 24) | 1 | — |
| Charles Johnson | President/CEO | 40 | $180,009 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau has been active in destination development and sports hosting:
$15M in Destination Development Grants awarded to projects across North DakotaIn 2025, the bureau participated in awarding $15 million in Destination Development Grants to 23 projects across North Dakota
$15M in Destination Development Grants awarded to projects across North DakotaIn 2023, the organization awarded $600,000 in Destination Development Grants to two local projects
$15M in Destination Development Grants awarded to projects across North DakotaThe bureau hosts the Visitors Center, known as the "Grain Elevator," located at exit 348 of Interstate 94, which features information, maps, a gift shop, and the real woodchipper prop from the 1996 film "Fargo"
Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitors Bureau Awards $600,000 in DestinationThe organization is an Accredited Destination Marketing Organization through Destinations International and maintains partnerships with industry organizations including RFPsmart and the Senior Planners Industry Network (SPIN)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors fund?
**Mission Statement:** Visit Fargo-Moorhead works to position the distinctive community as a desirable destination and gateway to the region and nation, resulting in a superior quality of life for its residents. **Vision Statement:** Visit Fargo-Moorhead will be the respected authority on Tourism as an Economic Development strategy that enhances the quality of life for the region. The organization will collaboratively develop and promote a shared community vision to enhance the attractiveness o…
How do I apply for a grant from Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors?
The Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors Bureau awards grants through its Destination Development Grants program. **Recent Grant Activity:** • In 2023, the organization awarded $600,000 in Destination Development Grants to two local projects • In 2025, the bureau participated in awarding $15 million in Destination Development Grants to 23 projects across North Dakota **Grant Characteristics:** • 2023 financial data shows total giving of $1.2 million across 10 grants • Median grant size: $100,000
Where does Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors make grants?
The organization focuses on the Fargo-Moorhead region, specifically serving Fargo, North Dakota; West Fargo, North Dakota; and Moorhead, Minnesota. Recent grant activity indicates involvement in destination development projects across North Dakota.
What size grants does Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors award?
In 2024, Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors awarded 3 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $367K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors's EIN?
Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0363220. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fargo-Moorhead Convention & Visitors'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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