The Barry Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,766,350 (2024)
• Total Assets: $54,902,011
• Grant Range: $50 - $335,000
• Average Grant: $5,027
• Number of Grants: 281 awards (2024)
• Geographic Focus: North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona
• Application Process: No unsolicited applications accepted; preselected organizations only

Contact Details

Address: 225 Broadway N, Suite 801, Fargo, ND 58102-4800

Phone: 701-356-7800

EIN: 20-5767275

Contact: Applicants must contact the foundation directly to inquire about application procedures (though note that the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds)

Overview

The Barry Foundation was established in 1986 by B. John Barry, a University of North Dakota alumnus and Chairman and CEO of MidAmerica Holdings and MidAmerica Capital Partners. Originally established in Minnesota, the foundation was moved to Fargo to have a greater local impact. With assets exceeding $54.9 million and annual giving of approximately $1.77 million, The Barry Foundation ranks among the largest foundations in North Dakota in total giving. The foundation's mission centers on promoting proactive philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on philanthropy education and youth leadership development. Through signature programs like Philanthropy and Youth (PaY) and The Barry Scholarship Program, the foundation takes an innovative approach to grantmaking by teaching young people to become philanthropists themselves. The foundation operates as a private independent foundation and maintains a relatively low public profile, preferring to focus on its work rather than seeking publicity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Barry Foundation operates through several distinct funding streams:

Philanthropy and Youth (PaY) Program: High schools in Fargo-Moorhead, Detroit Lakes, and surrounding areas are each allocated $5,000 to use for grantmaking in the community. In 2023, 500+ students from 19 area high schools made 133 grants to 90 organizations totaling $95,000, plus 12 PaY Admin grants totaling $7,650. There are no formal deadlines for this program.

Barry Scholarship Program: Provides renewable scholarships of up to $5,000 per year (for up to four years) to graduating seniors who have participated in the PaY program. This cohort experience includes financial aid, professional development, and personal support. In 2023, scholarships totaling $313,850 were awarded to 62 students.

PaY Forward Program: An opportunity for graduated high school students to continue engagement with the PaY program and potentially receive expanded scholarship opportunities. In 2023, PaY Forward scholarships and grants totaling $105,000 were awarded to 30 students and four universities.

Institutional Grants: Direct grants to preselected organizations ranging from $50 to $335,000, with an average grant size of $5,027.

Priority Areas

• Education (44% of giving): Higher education institutions, college scholarships, K-12 schools, educational programming
• Social & Human Services (18% of giving): Youth services, housing, social welfare organizations
• Community Development (12% of giving): Economic development, civic engagement
• Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking: Programs that teach and promote philanthropic engagement
• Youth Leadership Development: Programs that develop leadership skills in young people

Geographic Focus

Primary funding areas include North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona, with particular emphasis on the Fargo-Moorhead region and surrounding communities.

Recent Grant Recipients

Notable grants include:

• Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation: $335,000
• Young Life - Castaway Club: $150,000
• Ann Bancroft Foundation: $25,000
• Simpson Housing Services: $25,000
• North Dakota State University Foundation and Alumni Association: $10,000
• North Dakota State University: $7,500
• University of Jamestown: $5,000
• Clare Housing: $5,000
• National Center for Family Philanthropy: $1,400
• Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch: Multiple grants through PaY program
• Gigi's Playhouse Inc (Fargo): $500

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Officers

Thomas J Barry - Chairman & Director

Michael B Barry - Chair & Director

B. John Barry - Chairman Emeritus & Director (Founder)

Marty J Hoffmann - President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary & Director (Annual compensation: $196,002)

Dean C Hoffrogge - Treasurer

Stacie M Montgomery - Chief Financial Officer

Dana R Johnson - Director (also serves as Vice Chairman)

Jessica M Barry - Director

Paula Trom - Director

Founder's Philosophy

B. John Barry's philanthropic philosophy centers on "promoting proactive philanthropy" and teaching philanthropy to young people. As stated in recognition of his work: "Through PaY and The Barry Scholarship Program, the Foundation educates and supports young people to incorporate the spirit of philanthropy in their careers and goals." Since 2007, through the PaY program, 6,000 students across 22 area high schools have made 1,600 grants to 350 nonprofit organizations. This hands-on approach emphasizes developing the next generation of philanthropists rather than just traditional charitable giving.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Barry Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Organizations interested in being considered for future funding may contact the foundation directly at:

• Phone: 701-356-7800
• Address: 225 Broadway N, Suite 801, Fargo, ND 58102-4800

However, prospective applicants should be aware that the foundation proactively identifies and selects organizations to support rather than responding to applications. There are no formal application deadlines since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly available, as the foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than a formal application cycle. The foundation made 281 awards in 2024, 234 awards in 2023, and 230 awards in 2022, suggesting ongoing grantmaking activity throughout the year.

Getting on Their Radar

PaY Program Connection: One documented pathway to foundation funding is through the Philanthropy and Youth (PaY) program. Organizations that work effectively with high school students in the PaY committees may receive grants from those student committees ($5,000 per high school). Student-led committees first identify areas of focus, research local community nonprofits, visit organizations, and then decide how to award grant money. Organizations like Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch and Gigi's Playhouse Inc have received funding through this mechanism.

Geographic and Mission Alignment: The foundation prioritizes organizations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona, with particular focus on the Fargo-Moorhead region. Organizations working in education, youth development, philanthropy education, human services, and community development are most aligned with the foundation's priorities.

University Partnerships: The foundation has established partnerships with universities, including a scholarship matching partnership with UND announced in 2022. Higher education institutions in their geographic focus areas appear to receive consistent support.

Foundation Networks: The foundation has made grants to the National Center for Family Philanthropy ($1,400), suggesting engagement with philanthropy sector networks. Organizations may encounter foundation leadership through philanthropy conferences and regional nonprofit networks.

Application Success Factors

Since The Barry Foundation operates through preselected organizations rather than a competitive application process, traditional "success factors" don't apply. However, organizations that have received funding share these characteristics:

Strong Alignment with Youth Development and Education: The foundation's primary emphasis is on education (44% of giving) and programs that develop young people. Organizations serving youth or educational missions are prominently represented among grant recipients.

Connection to the PaY Program: Organizations accessible to high school students for site visits and that can clearly articulate their mission to young people have successfully received grants through the student grantmaking committees. This provides a lower-barrier entry point for organizations to connect with the foundation.

Regional Presence: The vast majority of grants go to organizations in the Fargo-Moorhead region and surrounding North Dakota and Minnesota communities, with some Arizona presence. Geographic proximity matters.

Established Track Record: As a foundation that preselects organizations, they appear to favor established institutions (universities, well-known youth organizations) and organizations with demonstrated impact.

Capacity to Work with Foundation Leadership: Organizations that have developed relationships with foundation board members, the Barry family, or foundation staff appear more likely to be considered. The foundation's relatively small board (9 members) suggests that personal knowledge of organizations plays a significant role.

Alignment with Founder's Values: B. John Barry's emphasis on teaching philanthropy, developing future leaders, and promoting proactive giving suggests that organizations demonstrating these values—especially those with educational or capacity-building components—align well with foundation priorities.

Partnership Orientation: The foundation's announcement of a scholarship matching partnership with UND suggests openness to collaborative funding arrangements with universities and potentially other major institutions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No unsolicited applications accepted: The Barry Foundation operates through preselected organizations only. Traditional grant application strategies will not work with this funder.

• PaY program is an entry point: Organizations serving youth and able to engage with high school students have a documented pathway to funding through the Philanthropy and Youth program, where $5,000 grants are available from each participating high school.

• Education is the dominant focus: With 44% of giving going to education, organizations should emphasize educational outcomes and youth development impact.

• Geographic focus matters: North Dakota, Minnesota, and Arizona organizations—especially those in the Fargo-Moorhead region—are the primary beneficiaries. Out-of-region organizations are unlikely to be considered.

• Relationship-based grantmaking: With a small board of 9 members and a preselected approach, personal connections and familiarity with foundation leadership likely drive funding decisions.

• Wide grant range but average is modest: While grants range from $50 to $335,000, the average grant is $5,027, suggesting many smaller grants alongside occasional larger institutional gifts.

• Youth leadership development is core mission: Organizations should demonstrate how they develop leadership capacity in young people or promote philanthropic engagement to align with the founder's philosophy.

• Multi-year support possible: The scholarship program provides renewable four-year grants, suggesting the foundation is comfortable with multi-year commitments to aligned programs.

References

1. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Barry Foundation. Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/205767275 (Accessed March 2026)

2. Instrumentl 990 Report - The Barry Foundation. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-barry-foundation (Accessed March 2026)

3. Cause IQ - The Barry Foundation Profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-barry-foundation,205767275/ (Accessed March 2026)

4. Foundation Directory - Candid - The Barry Foundation. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=BARR430 (Accessed March 2026)

5. University of North Dakota Press Release: "Philanthropist and executive B. John Barry, UND '63, awarded President's Medal" (September 2021). Available at: https://blogs.und.edu/press-releases/2021/09/philanthropist-and-executive-b-john-barry-und-63-awarded-presidents-medal/ (Accessed March 2026)

6. University of North Dakota Press Release: "UND and The Barry Foundation announce scholarship matching partnership" (December 2022). Available at: https://blogs.und.edu/press-releases/2022/12/und-and-the-barry-foundation-announce-scholarship-matching-partnership/ (Accessed March 2026)

7. Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch: "Barry Foundation Support Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Through Philanthropy and Youth Committees" (2022). Available at: https://dakotaranch.org/blog/archive/pay-grant-2022/ (Accessed March 2026)

8. InForum: "Barry quietly supports region's higher education." Available at: https://www.inforum.com/newsmd/barry-quietly-supports-regions-higher-education (Accessed March 2026)

9. College Board BigFuture: "The Barry Scholarship Program." Available at: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarships/the-barry-scholarship-program (Accessed March 2026)

10. Here-4-You Consulting NPFunds Directory: "Barry Foundation, The." Available at: https://npfunds.com/directory/barry-foundation-the/ (Accessed March 2026)