Funding
Scholarships
Grants
Scholarships
Scholarship Application and Selection Process
- Fill out the application form on our application page. In addition to the essay questions, please make sure you have following:
- Recent photo of yourself
- Letter of Recommendation- Signed and dated (Please note, if not signed committee will verify with teacher.)
- Official High School Transcript
- Annual deadline: April 1st
- Each scholarship has an established committee who will review the applications based on the scholarship criteria.
Interested in developing your own named scholarship like the ones shown below? Click here for more information.
The North Dakota Community Foundation Also Manages Several Scholarships.
- Alton Wolfer
- Benjamin Berg Memorial Scholarship
- Bismarck Rotary Club Scholarship Fund
- Bismarck Schools Scholarship Fund
- Chris Traeholt Scholarship
- Edgar Bollinger Scholarship
- Esther Hample Scholarship
- Evan Grove Scholarship Fund
- Guy Larson Scholarship
- Harold Kepler Scholarship
- Jim & Barbara Blaine Scholarship
- Kathy Eggmann Scholarship
- Lisa Kraft Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Muriel R. Hyden Memorial Scholarship
- North Dakota Military Scholarship Fund
- Paulie Paul Scholarship
- Robert C. Peske Scholarship
- Tom Sturdevant Scholarship
- Tyler Herman Memorial Scholarship
BPS Foundation Grants
BPSF Teacher Mini-Grant Program
Criteria: Mini-grants are geared towards helping BPS teachers to enhance their classroom experience for their students.
Mattern Grant
Criteria: Any Pioneer Elementary, Simle Middle School or Legacy High School Teacher is eligible to apply for a mini-grant. Requests must be consistent with the BPS mission and be within the BPS Foundation’s areas of interest. Requests must financially assist Special Education and/or Science Olympiad programs within Pioneer Elementary School, Simle Middle School, and Legacy High School.
Mental Health Grant
Criteria: Request must foster mental health within BPS, have a cost of over $1000, and be consistent with the BPS mission
Robert & Lois Watts Grants
Criteria: Projects which promote/encourage hands-on learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-reliance
Preference Given To: Areas of Family & Consumer Science, Career & Technical Education
Timothy C Nordquist Memorial Fund
Criteria: purchasing needed special education equipment, transportation costs for educational enrichment, fees for special education student's summer camp, or opportunities for special education staff development
Apply for a Grant
Thank you for your interest in earning a grant from the BPS Foundation. Deadline is April 1st for the spring cycle and October 1st for the fall cycle. Any applications received April 2-Through October 1st go into the Fall grant cycle, applications received October 2nd- April 1st are reviewed during the spring cycle. The grant application process needs to be completed in two parts.
Verify approval of grant request with your building admin.
Fill out the web application
Please note: Mini-grant application forms must be accessed by clicking on the mini-grant in which you are applying for.
Grant Approvals
Grants applicants for the October cycle should receive an update on their grant by mid-November. April cycle applicants should receive an update on their grant request by mid-May.
Awardees are required to submit a grant verification form to verify usage of funds. The submission deadline for this form is as follows:
- October deadline: June 30th of the following year
- April deadline: December 31st of that calendar year
Grant Application and Selection Process
BPSF Grant Policy
- Grant applications must align with the overall mission of the Bismarck Public Schools District and Foundation to “Empower Every Learner to Thrive.”
- Grant applications requesting the use of new technology, programs, or professional development speakers must be properly vetted through the District and be pre-approved prior to the grant submission.
- Grant funding will be directed and approved based on its alignment with the granting preference and parameters. In addition, they must align with the BPS/BPSF mission and be initiatives that are not currently affordable through the existing BPS budget. Things such as salaries, building equipment/furnishings and replacement costs will not be considered. If student/staff equipment is a part of the grant application, a direct correlation must be made in connection with the grant criteria to be considered. The intent for BPSF grant funding is to empower learners to thrive through new and enhanced services. If this parameter has been met, it is the understanding that the grantee will work with the district to cover any/all re-occurring maintenance/expenses for that program unless otherwise implied in a BPSF Grant.
- Grant recipient(s) shall agree to use BPSF funds solely for purpose intended and requested. If the project changes significantly from the original request, the awardee must notify the BPSF immediately.
- Grant recipient(s) shall provide a picture or video of the project in addition to a blog submission of 250 words explaining how the funds were used within one month after the project is completed.
- Grant recipient(s) shall return any unused funds from the grant award to the BPSF within one month after the project is completed. If a project cannot be implemented, the grantee shall immediately return all funds to the BPSF.
- Any material acquired shall remain at the sponsoring school, unless approved by BPSF.
- Any Bismarck Public School Teacher or Administrator is eligible to apply for a grant.
The BPSF grants committee reviews application and makes recommendations to the BPSF board of directors for approval.
Questions should be directed to:
Tahlia Nygaard
Development Director
P: 701.323.4093
Bismarck Public Schools Foundation
OUR MISSION
Partner with the BPS District to empower every learner to thrive by enhancing the services and recognition of students and staff.
