Northern Plains Heritage Foundation
The Northern Plains Heritage Foundation is a private foundation based in Bismarck, North Dakota. It manages the Northern Plains National Heritage Area and supports partnerships and projects connected to the cultural, natural, and scenic resources along the Missouri River in central North Dakota.
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation at a glance
In short: Northern Plains Heritage Foundation gave $69K across 11 grants in 2024 (avg $6K), mostly in North Dakota. 55% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $69,261
- +19.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 11
- +22.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $6,296
- -2.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $272,152
- +10.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 55% first-time grantees (6 of 11, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- North Dakota (100% 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 Northern Plains Heritage Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Application contact: Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation
Mailing address: 1700 River Rd, Bismarck, ND 58503
Phone: (701) 663-4758
Website: https://northernplainsheritage.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Northern Plains Heritage Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Canticle Productions ($23K). Together the top 10 received $69K.
Grant Size Distribution
39 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 37 grants of 39 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that its work centers on the Missouri River in central North Dakota. All grant dollars itemized for 2024 went to recipients in North Dakota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Northern Plains Heritage Foundation open to new grantees?
55%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 11 grantees (55%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 36% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 61% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above 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 $58K (2023) to $179K (2021). In 2024 it made 11 grants totaling $69K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Canticle Productions Bismarck, ND | Hazel Miner Movie | $22,500 |
| Dakota Pro Musica Bismarck, ND | Lewis & Clark Opera | $11,579 |
| AE2S Grand Forks, ND | Commercial Dock Engineering | $10,750 |
| AGL Landscape Architects Bismarck, ND | Riverfront Project | $8,732 |
| Knife River Indian Heritage Stanton, ND | 50TH Anniversary Celebration | $7,500 |
| William Joseph Oberlander Mott, ND | Tiger Lily Metal Sculpture | $3,000 |
| Dakota Goodhouse Mandan, ND | Storytelling | $1,500 |
| Bismarck Parks & Rec Bismarck, ND | Bicycle Sponsor | $1,500 |
| Talking Trails LLC Bismarck, ND | Talking Trail for Mural | $1,200 |
| Aubrey Roemmich Bismarck, ND | Clell Gannon Songs of the Bunch Gras | $750 |
Ready to take the next step with Northern Plains Heritage Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $272,152 | $728,554 | $752,121 | $69,261 | 11 | $668,583 | $12,612 |
| 2023 | $246,720 | $594,907 | $595,489 | $58,027 | 9 | $546,488 | $1,214 |
| 2021 | $399,840 | $434,792 | $463,232 | $178,507 | 13 | $178,507 | $20,294 |
| 2020 | $424,285 | $542,660 | $270,973 | $105,396 | 6 | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Northern Plains Heritage Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13K 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’s stated mission is to “preserve, promote, and develop” the cultural, natural, and scenic resources along the Missouri River in central North Dakota. Its website describes support for partner projects involving historic preservation, recreation, natural resource conservation, heritage tourism, and education. It also says the foundation uses federal funds, including matching grants to partners, and raises other funds to carry out the management plan.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $69,261. Grants ranged from $250 to $22,500, with a median of $3,000. The largest grants included $22,500 to Canticle Productions for a Hazel Miner movie, $11,579 to Dakota Pro Musica for a Lewis & Clark opera, $10,750 to AE2S for commercial dock engineering, and $8,732 to AGL Landscape Architects for a riverfront project. Other listed grants included $7,500 to Knife River Indian Heritage for a 50th-anniversary celebration and $3,000 to William Joseph Oberlander for a tiger lily metal sculpture.
The 2024 filing states that the foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It lists Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation as the contact for how to apply.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s website lists Erin Laverdure as president, Brent Brannan as vice president, and Keith Ulmer as secretary. It lists Aaron Barth as executive director, with Emily Sakariassen as project manager and Lacey Heid as support staff.
The 2024 filing lists Erin Lavendure as president, Brent Brannan as vice president, Keith Ulmer as secretary/treasurer, Aaron Barth as executive director, Shadd Piehl as past president, and Richard Tokach, Tyler DeMars, and Rose Laning as directors.
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation is led by Erin Lavendure, President on every filing since 2023; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Erin Lavendure
President
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Tokach
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rose Laning
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tyler Demars
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Barth
Executive Di
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$114K (2023) → $131K (2024)
Brent Brannan
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Ulmer
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shadd Piehl
Past President
President → Past President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Brian Bitner (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Calvin Grinnell (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Erin Huntimer (2020–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Paul Trauger (2020–2021) — Treasurer
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 $131K, to Aaron Barth (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Northern Plains Heritage Foundation
How much does Northern Plains Heritage Foundation give each year?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation gave $69K across 11 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $58K across 9 grants.
What is Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's typical grant size?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $6,296, across 11 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Northern Plains Heritage Foundation that year got $7K on average.
Where does Northern Plains Heritage Foundation give grants?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation gives mostly in North Dakota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Bismarck, ND (7 grants).
Does Northern Plains Heritage Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's largest grantees?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Canticle Productions ($22,500), Dakota Pro Musica ($11,579) and AE2S ($10,750), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Northern Plains Heritage Foundation?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation reported $272K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $669K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $13K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Northern Plains Heritage Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to “preserve, promote, and develop” the cultural, natural, and scenic resources along the Missouri River in central North Dakota. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Northern Plains Heritage Foundation?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines. Check northernplainsheritage.org for any change to that policy.
What is Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's EIN?
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2045851. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Northern Plains Heritage 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
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Northern Plains Heritage Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in North Dakota
The Tom and Frances Leach
Bismarck, ND
The foundation funds nonprofit programs and operations in education, health and science, human services, and arts and humanities, with priorities in the Bismarck-Mandan area and western North Dakota and a preference for the Upper Midwest. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $250,000, with a median award of $10,000; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$25.3M
Grants
71
Total Given
$2.0M
Minot Area Council of the Arts
Minot, ND
To support and advance the full range of arts for all ages and abilities.
Assets
$461K
Grants
1
Total Given
$12K
Dave and Pat Goodin Family Foundation
Bismarck, ND
The Dave and Pat Goodin Family Foundation supports charitable work benefiting community welfare, including arts, education, youth programs, community services, and chemical-dependency treatment and education. Its 2025 grants were $2,500–$5,000, with a median of $5,000, and went to organizations in North Dakota. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.3M
Grants
12
Total Given
$58K
Arts Midwest Incorporated
Minneapolis, MN
Arts Midwest supports arts organizations, artists, and creative communities through regional grants, artist touring, and national arts programs, serving nine Midwestern states and Native Nations, with some initiatives reaching nationwide. Giving varies by program: recent grants ranged from $6,000 to $1 million, with a $20,000 median; specific opportunities offer set amounts. Arts Midwest does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.0M
Grants
149
Total Given
$5.0M
Sanford Group Return
Sioux Falls, SD
Sanford Group Return funds health care access and outcomes, community wellbeing, workforce and education, and related community needs, including health professions education and research. In 2024, its median grant was $24,900, with awards ranging from $5,500 to $3.6 million; giving was concentrated in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Minnesota. Its Community Dividend Fund accepts online funding requests in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wyoming; whether unsolicited requests are accepted is not stated.
Assets
$4.3B
Grants
171
Total Given
$45.3M
The Barry Foundation
Fargo, ND
The Barry Foundation funds education, housing and human services, health, spirituality, the environment, and arts, with much of its giving in North Dakota and Minnesota. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $335,000, with a median of $1,325; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$54.9M
Grants
322
Total Given
$1.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in North Dakota
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Northern Plains Heritage 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.
Northern Plains Heritage Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?