ND Higher Education Challenge Grant Fund

During the 2013-2015 Legislative Session the North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Grant Fund program was established under North Dakota Century Code section 15-10-48 through 15-48-53. The program is currently available to the eleven public institutions in the state. The program is chaired by the Chief of Staff from the Office of the Governor and the committee is further composed of two senators, two representatives, two State Board of Higher Education members and two members at large appointed by the Governor.  Funding applications, having met several specific criteria, are brought before the committee for approval. Once approved the North Dakota University System Office disburses the funds awarded to the campuses for use at the respective foundations.

 

Committee Members

Jace Beehler – Chair

Senator Karen Krebsbach, Minot

Senator Ronald Sorvaag, Fargo

Representative Bob Martinson, Bismarck

Representative Emily O’Brien, Grand Forks

Mr. Jeffry Volk, West Fargo

Mr. Kevin Black, Minot

Mr. Rick Burgum, Arthur

Ms. Taya Spelhaug, West Fargo

 

Meeting Dates and Materials

October 2, 2024 Agenda Minutes
June 7, 2024 Agenda Minutes
March 20, 2024 Agenda Minutes
December 4, 2023 Agenda Minutes
October 4, 2023 Agenda Minutes
January 23, 2023 Agenda Minutes
September 26, 2022 Agenda Minutes
June 24, 2022 Agenda Minutes
March 24, 2022 Agenda Minutes
November 18, 2021 Agenda Minutes
January 26, 2021 Agenda Minutes
December 15, 2020 Agenda Minutes
September 22, 2020 Agenda Minutes
June 23, 2020 Agenda Minutes
May 4, 2020 Agenda Minutes
December 19, 2019 Agenda Minutes
September 24, 2019 Agenda Minutes
June 6, 2019 Agenda Minutes
January 24, 2019 Agenda Minutes

 

 

Guidelines/Legislation

NDCC 15-10-48 through 15-10-53

North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund Rules of Operation and Procedures

 

Forms

Summary of Applications Template

ND Higher Education Challenge Scope Approval

ND Higher Education Challenge Fund Application

ND HE Challenge Grant Support Template

Presidential Designee Memo Template

 

Reports

Click here to view a history of the ND HE Challenge Grant Funds awarded through 2023.

 

Challenge Grant Fund at Work

Please take an opportunity to view the videos and statements below that truly illustrate how powerful the Challenge Grant Fund program is for the public colleges and universities throughout North Dakota.

 

Mayville State University

Dr. Brian Van Horn

President

 

Minot State University

Rick Hedberg

VP of Advancement and Executive Director of MSU Development Foundation

 

North Dakota State University

Staff at North Dakota State University

discuss the Harry D. McGovern Scholarship program which received an award of $1,236,665.50 from the Challenge Grant Fund during the 2015-2017 biennium.

 

University of North Dakota

DeAnna Carlson Zink

CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation

 

Valley City State University

 

“The Challenge Grant program has been a very popular and an effective tool for the Valley City State University Foundation. In fact, although we met our match for the current biennium in April, of 2018, our donors kept calling and inquiring about the Challenge Grant program. We currently have a waiting list of donors hoping that the program is renewed!”

Senator Larry Robinson

Executive Director of University Advancement

 

Williston State College

“The North Dakota Higher Education Challenge Fund program has been transformational for Williston State College.

 

The past Challenge Funds supported a $1.8 million-dollar scholarship program matched with $900,000 for Williams County graduates tuition and fee scholarship program. A family trust gifted $300,000 matched with $150,000 for a nursing scholarship endowment. We also had an individual gift $150,000 matched by $75,000 for Career and Technical program scholarships.

 

These are a few of the scholarships strengthened by the North Dakota Challenge Fund, a program that helps invest in North Dakota Higher Education.”

 

Terry Olson

Executive Director of Williston State College Foundation