North Dakota Funds Community Events for America's 250th Birthday

The state's ND250 Commission awards $142,000 in grants to help towns and tribes celebrate the nation's milestone anniversary.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The ND250 Commission in North Dakota has awarded about $142,000 through two rounds of its Community Initiatives Grant program to fund events, concerts, community projects, and educational opportunities across the state to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States. The grants will help communities share their local history and connection to the country's founding. The state's Heritage Center will also host exhibits on the Declaration of Independence and North Dakota's role in the nation's history.

Why it matters

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, North Dakota is taking an active role in helping its communities commemorate this historic milestone. The grants allow towns, tribes, and schools to get creative in how they engage residents and visitors in learning about the state's ties to the nation's founding and early development.

The details

The ND250 Commission has awarded grants to 15 initiatives so far, with $32,000 remaining for a final round of funding. The grants will support a range of projects, including murals, musical theater, lectures, living history exhibits, and the creation of a colonial-style cider press. The state's Heritage Center will also host two major exhibits - one featuring content from the White House on the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and another showcasing North Dakota's history and vision for the next 250 years. Schools can also apply for field trip grants to bring students to the Heritage Center.

  • The ND250 Commission made the latest round of grant awards on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
  • Applications for the final round of grants will be accepted through April 1, 2026.
  • The Heritage Center's ND250 exhibit will be installed by July 4, 2026.

The players

ND250 Commission

The commission overseeing North Dakota's celebrations and initiatives for the United States' 250th birthday.

Melissa Klocke-Joyce

Program coordinator for the ND250 Commission's Community Initiatives Grant program.

Bill Peterson

Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota and chair of the ND250 Commission.

Kara Haff

Public information officer for the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Talon Stammen

Woodworker who designed the colonial-style cider press commissioned by the Pembina Historical Society.

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What they’re saying

“They're an investment in how communities across North Dakota share their piece of the American story.”

— Bill Peterson, Director of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, Chair of the ND250 Commission (North Dakota Monitor)

“We really want to try to tie in celebrating the 250th, and what better way to do it than demonstrating how people lived back in that time.”

— Melissa Klocke-Joyce, Program Coordinator, ND250 Commission (North Dakota Monitor)

“One hundred years from now, when they are reflecting back on what we've accomplished, they can pull this out and say, 'oh my gosh, look at how amazing ND250 was.'”

— Kara Haff, Public Information Officer, State Historical Society of North Dakota (North Dakota Monitor)

What’s next

The ND250 Commission will announce additional grant recipients in the final round, with applications accepted through April 1, 2026. The state's Heritage Center exhibits will open by July 4, 2026, as part of the nationwide celebrations.

The takeaway

North Dakota's proactive approach to funding community-driven events and educational initiatives for the United States' 250th birthday demonstrates the state's commitment to honoring its history and sharing its unique story with residents and visitors alike. These grassroots efforts will help foster local pride and engagement in the national milestone.