Funds will support collaborative health initiatives in rural North Dakota
Fargo, N.D. – Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation, in partnership with the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 Rural Health Grant application period. Proposals will be accepted from Nov. 1, through Nov. 15, 2025.
These grants are designed for rural health care providers working alongside nonprofit organizations or other community partners to implement projects that strengthen health and well-being in rural communities throughout 2026. Through these grants, rural providers and their communities collaborate to address local health challenges and create sustainable solutions.
“When we invest in rural communities, we’re investing in the strength and resilience of our entire state,” said Amber Blomberg, executive director of the BCBSND Caring Foundation. “North Dakota is a rural state, and that means access to care can look very different depending on where you live. These grants help bridge that gap by supporting projects that bring essential health resources closer to home.”
Since launching these grants in 2005, over $3 million dollars have been invested in rural North Dakota communities to promote healthy living and reduce barriers to health. Each year, grant recipients bring innovative ideas to life; ideas that make a tangible difference in the lives of North Dakotans. The positive impact is felt deeply and many organizations share how the funding helped them meet local needs:
2025 Recipient Testimonials
“This grant has benefited the community by making physical activity more accessible, enjoyable and inclusive,” said McKayla McKay, Heart of America’s foundation coordinator and executive assistant. “Residents now have opportunities to participate in fitness programs and events close to home which helps reduce common barriers like cost, transportation and lack of resources.”
“Peer Vision for Mental Health is incredibly grateful for this grant,” said Tamra Huesers, executive director of Peer Vision for Mental Health. “Through our Minot Vets for Vets program, this grant expands veteran peer support into rural areas around Minot. We've witnessed firsthand how human connection and shared experience strengthen mental health and prevent suicides through community-building, education and peer support.”
“At Northland Health Centers, we see and understand how social and economic challenges impact the health and well-being of our communities,” said Nadine Boe, CEO of Northland Health Centers. The funding from the BCBSND Caring Foundation allowed us to provide essential resources that made a real difference for students and their families.”
These testimonials reflect the spirit of the Rural Health Grant program, empowering communities to be a catalyst for positive change and serve as a powerful reminder that when rural communities are supported, they thrive.
Improving health care in rural communities
A major factor for small towns is finding health care close to home. BCBSND Caring Foundation’s recent Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) study reported a shortage of primary care physicians, dentists and mental health providers in North Dakota even with low uninsured rates and advances in telehealth. Funding from these Rural Health Grants helps address local health challenges through community-driven solutions to ensure no matter how remote a person’s zip code is they have access to care and support to live a full life.
About the 2026 Rural Health Grants
Up to eight recipients will receive $5,000 to $7,500 for their projects working to transform the health of rural North Dakotans. The funding period runs from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026. The deadline to send a proposal is 5 p.m. (CT) Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, via UND CRH’s online application system (https://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/bcbs-grant-program).
About the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues to help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff collaborate with grantees to support non-profit sustainability, promote shared outcomes and create lasting change.
