Funding

Scholarships

Grants

Scholarships

Scholarship Application and Selection Process

Fill out the application form on our application page.
Annual deadline: April 1st
Each scholarship has an established committee who will review the applications based on the scholarship criteria.

Click here to apply!

View our 2021/2022 Scholarship Awardees

Interested in developing your own named scholarship like the ones shown below? Click here for more information.

Danie Thomssen Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - CHS graduating Senior involved in the CHS Band Program

Preference Given To: - those who demonstrate a strong sense of dedication to the band program, leadership in the classroom, self-discipline in their practice, and a high level of musical excellence

Capital Credit Union AVID Scholar Award

Criteria: - 3.2 Weighted Cumulative GPA with 3 years in AVID (including Senior year) + 1 credit of an AP course and exam or ½ credit of a dual credit course

Diane Sigl Schlosser Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Senior who demonstrates the qualities of compassion, perseverance, and a genuine willingness to help make a difference in the lives of those around them

Dixon Wightman Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Senior Athlete exhibits solid moral character and strong academic performance

Preference Given To: - CHS Track & Field shot put, discus, weight, or javelin thrower

Gloria Sand Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS graduating senior who has a GPA of 2.5 or higher and showcases a financial need

Preference Given To: - Bismarck High School students (boys or girls) who played varsity basketball and have a parent/guardian who is/was a state employee

Ken Hendrickson Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS graduating Senior

Preference Given To: - student continuing their education in technology related fields

Rose Stoller Legacy Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS graduating Senior who is pursuing a degree in social work or the field of mental health

Preference Given To: - women who have exhibited strong leadership skills; a generosity and passion toward those in need; and a desire to achieve community harmony

Neil Souther Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS graduating Senior who demonstrates a strong interest in the study of foreign languages

Preference Given To: - Student who has taken at least two years of Latin

Paul & Marion Walz Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS graduating Senior with a 2.5 GPA or higher

Preference Given To: - Those who showcase characteristics such as being giving of himself/herself, respectful of others, true to his/her beliefs, good in his/her word, and never one to draw attention to themself. Those who are kind, honest, down-to-earth and believe in working hard.

LHS Scholarship

Criteria: - LHS graduating senior student that is looking to future their education within a post-secondary college or university.

Wold Family Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Seniors (1 from each high school minimum with qualifying applicants) with a 3.0+ GPA & ACT score of 20+

Preference Given To: - those majoring in the area of science who have a strong sense of giving back.

BHS Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS Graduating Senior

CHS Scholarship

Criteria: - CHS graduating senior student that is looking to future their education within a post-secondary college or university.

Brandon Thomsen Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - CHS graduating Senior

Preference Given To: - Students who demonstrate the qualities of compassion, perseverance, and a genuine willingness to help make a difference in the lives of those around them.

Ardys J. Munson/Swanson Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS Graduating Seniors interested in teaching and/or journalism

Preference Given To: - Individuals who plan to attend a post-secondary school in the field of English and/or journalism

Jan Gilbertson Scholarship

Criteria: - • BPS graduating Senior • Meaningful participation in Sleepy Hollow Summer Theater in any capacity along with high school participation in choir, band or orchestra

Preference Given To: - students who maintain a 3.0+ GPA throughout high school

Roy Gilbreath Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS Graduating Seniors

Preference Given To: - Individuals who attended Will-Moore Elementary school for a minimum of two years, showcases a financial need and will be attending a North Dakota trade school, college or university.

Jaide Tosseth Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - Female Senior who is an active member of a fine arts and athletic program, have no unexcused absences, and a minimum 2.0 GPA during their time at Legacy High School

First in the Family Scholarship

Criteria: - Graduating seniors from Bismarck Public Schools who will be the first in their family to enroll in a post-secondary college and/or university

Preference Given To: - Student with a demonstrated financial need who has merit, potential for success/motivation and is the first to attend a North Dakota trade school, college and/or university

Lincoln Elementary Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS graduating senior student who went to Lincoln Elementary for a minimum of 1 year

David Blackstead Capital City Lions Club Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Senior

Preference Given To: - Students who have post-secondary plans that are focused within the medical field

Jody Olheiser Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS Graduating Seniors who have been in the AVID elective for at least two years

Preference Given To: - Senior who has an established financial need or special circumstance.

Tom Hesford Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS Graduating Seniors who plan to attend a 2 or 4 year college or trade school the following year.

Preference Given To: - Student who has overcome adversity or significant life change

Don Prouty Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Seniors who plans to continue their post-secondary education in the field of education

Preference Given To: - Students who were involved in athletics and/or peer-to-peer groups

Pierre-Louis Entrepreneur Scholarship

Criteria: - BHS students who were active in Deca

Preference Given To: - who participated in DECA for a minimum of 1 year, holds a minimum of 1 credit in Business/Marketing, and has a minimum GPA of 2.

Eide Family Scholarship

Criteria: - BPS Graduating Senior

Preference Given To: - Students who are looking to focus their studies in the areas of Business, Criminal Justice or Auto Mechanics. Additional consideration will be given to students enrolled within a branch of the military.

Paul Kranz Scholarship

Criteria: - Bismarck Public School (BPS) graduating Senior who is matriculating into the University of Jamestown

Preference Given To: - Preference given to students who demonstrated grit and are active in athletics

Señora “B” Kind Memorial Scholarship

Criteria: - a CHS graduating senior who has completed at least 2 years of Spanish

Preference Given To: - students are involved in extra-curriculars (athletic, academic or fine arts/music) with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA

The North Dakota Community Foundation Also Manages Several Scholarships.

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.

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

Click Here

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 Verification Form

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:

Stacey Lang
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.

Questions should be directed to:

Stacey Lang
Development Director
701-323-4093