North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Inc

Quick Stats

• EIN: 36-3512179
• Federal Assets: Approximately $28.8 million
• Total Grants Awarded: More than $5 million (historical total)
• Geographic Focus: North Dakota statewide
• Decision Time: Decisions made at May board meeting
• Grant Types: Small Grants (education/outreach) and Cost-Share Programs (landowner conservation)

Contact Details

Address: 1605 E. Capitol Avenue Suite 101, Bismarck, ND 58501-2102

Phone: (701) 223-8501

Fax: (701) 223-6937

Email: Info@NaturalResourcesTrust.com

Website: www.ndnrt.com

Small Grant Program Contact: Brenda (Administrative/Conservation Specialist) - brenda@naturalresourcestrust.com

Overview

The North Dakota Natural Resources Trust was created in 1986 under the Garrison Diversion Reformulation Act as the North Dakota Wetlands Trust, with a mission to preserve, restore, manage and enhance wetlands and associated wildlife habitat in North Dakota. In December 2000, Congress enacted the Dakota Water Resources Act which renamed the organization and expanded its mission to include conservation of grassland and riparian areas. Today, the Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that oversees federal assets of approximately $28.8 million, operating solely on investment income from these federal contributions. Over its history, the Trust has provided more than $5 million in grants for education, wetland and grassland restoration, habitat conservation, and sustainable agriculture projects.

The organization operates under a unique governance structure with a six-member board: three directors appointed by the Governor of North Dakota, and one each appointed by the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, and the North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department director serving as an ex-officio member.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Small Grant Program

• Provides funding for education and outreach activities focused on North Dakota's natural resources
• Grant amounts vary; contact Trust for current funding limits
• Seeks proposals aligning with education elements in the Trust's 2023-2027 Strategic Plan

Working Lands Programs (Cost-Share for Landowners)

1. Working Grassland Partnership (WGP) - 60% cost-share for livestock and grassland-bird-friendly development practices, including livestock watering systems and fencing. Targets landowners transitioning expired CRP acres to livestock grazing systems benefiting grassland birds.

2. Grazing Resiliency Bakken (GRB) - Assists landowners and ranchers in oil-producing counties to increase livestock water supplies and implement rotational grazing systems for drought resiliency.

3. Wetland Development (WLD) - Assists private landowners to create, enhance and restore wetland habitat in North Dakota.

4. Bakken Development and Working Lands Program - For landowners in Western North Dakota oil-producing counties, providing assistance with managed grazing infrastructure, public access, and reclamation on public lands.

Priority Areas

• Public awareness and education about grassland, wetland, and riparian landscapes
• Healthy soils and grass-based regenerative practices
• Conservation education on prairie landscape value
• Wetland and grassland restoration projects
• Habitat conservation for wildlife and grassland birds
• Sustainable agriculture projects (grazing systems, conservation equipment)
• Transitioning CRP land to working grasslands
• Water development for livestock in conservation grazing systems

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not detailed on website. Small Grant Program focuses on education/outreach rather than direct habitat work, which is covered under Working Lands Programs.

Governance and Leadership

Board Structure

Six-member board of directors, each serving two-year terms:

• Three appointed by Governor of North Dakota
• One by National Audubon Society
• One by National Wildlife Federation
• One by North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society
• North Dakota Game and Fish Department director (ex-officio)

Board meets three times yearly: January, May/June, and August/September.

Key Staff

Keith Trego - Executive Director Serving since 1998, began career with ND Game and Fish Department in 1973. Extensive experience in resource planning and conservation management.

Brenda - Administrative/Conservation Specialist Manages day-to-day administrative activities and oversees Small Grant Program. Joined 2019, NDSU graduate with Zoology degree.

Terry Allbee - Business Manager/Biologist Coordinates Trust conservation programs and works with energy and agricultural partners. Contact: terry@naturalresourcestrust.com

Jesse Beckers - Energy Program Manager
Works with energy and agricultural livestock industry partners. Graduate and undergraduate degrees from NDSU in natural resources management. Contact: jesse@naturalresourcestrust.com

Rick Warhurst - Wetland Biologist Also serves as NAWCA staff member for Central Flyway. Retired from 31-year career at Ducks Unlimited.

Eric Rosenquist - Conservation Program Coordinator Joined 2020 after 23 years with The Nature Conservancy in North Dakota. Contact: eric@naturalresourcestrust.com

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Small Grant Program Contact Trust office at (701) 223-8501 or email brenda@naturalresourcestrust.com for application information and current deadlines. Program seeks proposals supporting educational projects on prairie landscapes, healthy soils, and grass-based regenerative practices.

Working Lands Programs For landowner cost-share programs, contact office at (701) 223-8501 or email Trust biologists listed under specific programs on website.

Decision Timeline

Final Small Grant approvals made at May board meeting, with applicants notified shortly afterward. Board meets three times yearly: January, May/June, and August/September.

For Working Lands programs, contact Trust directly for current application cycles and decision timelines.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data not publicly available. Contact Trust for information about application competitiveness.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication restrictions mentioned. Contact Trust directly about reapplication guidelines.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Trust's priorities and structure, strong applications will likely demonstrate:

1. Strategic Plan Alignment: Small Grant proposals should align with education elements in the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, focusing on prairie landscapes, healthy soils, and grass-based regenerative practices.

2. North Dakota Focus: All projects must directly benefit North Dakota's natural resources, with statewide reach encouraged.

3. Educational Value: Small Grant applicants should emphasize education and outreach activities promoting public awareness of grassland, wetland, and riparian landscapes.

4. Conservation Outcomes: Working Lands projects should demonstrate benefits to wildlife, particularly grassland birds and wetland species, while supporting sustainable agriculture.

5. Partnership Potential: The Trust values collaborative approaches to conservation, as evidenced by numerous listed partners.

6. Long-term Sustainability: Projects demonstrating long-term conservation benefits, particularly for CRP land transition, appear valued.

7. Federal Priority Alignment: As a federally-funded trust, projects aligning with broader federal conservation goals may be favorably viewed.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Two distinct funding streams: Small Grants for education/outreach and cost-share programs for landowner conservation - ensure correct program application
• Final Small Grant decisions made at May board meeting - plan timing accordingly
• Contact Brenda directly for Small Grant inquiries - she manages this program
• Unique governance structure balances agricultural and conservation interests - successful projects should reflect this balance
• Deep expertise in CRP transition and grassland bird conservation - leverage this knowledge in proposals
• With $28.8 million in federal assets but operating only on investment income, Trust is stable but carefully managed funding source
• Trust also receives Outdoor Heritage Fund grants from North Dakota for major conservation projects, demonstrating credibility and effectiveness

References

1. North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Official Website - www.ndnrt.com (Accessed February 2026)
2. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Inc (EIN 36-3512179) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363512179 (Accessed February 2026)
3. Cause IQ - North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Profile - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/north-dakota-natural-resources-trust,363512179/ (Accessed February 2026)
4. "Natural Resources Trust Celebrates 30 Years" - North Dakota Game and Fish Magazine, February 2017 - https://gf.nd.gov/magazine/2017/feb/natural-resources-trust (Accessed February 2026)
5. North Dakota Industrial Commission - Outdoor Heritage Fund Grant Awards - https://www.ndic.nd.gov/ (Multiple press releases, Accessed February 2026)
6. Dakota Legacy Initiative - ND Natural Resources Trust Partner Profile - https://www.dakotalegacyinitiative.com/partners/nd-natural-resources-trust/ (Accessed February 2026)
7. Foundation Directory Online (Candid) - North Dakota Natural Resources Trust Profile - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=NORT153 (Accessed February 2026)