About the Foundation

The State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation exists to secure private funding to support the State Historical Society of North Dakota in identifying, preserving, interpreting, and promoting North Dakota history.

OUR VISION:

Supporting a future where we remember, learn, share, and celebrate North Dakota history.

OUR VALUES:

At the Foundation, our team believes that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn about North Dakota history. We aspire to aid the State Historical Society of North Dakota in its mission to inspire life-long learning, inform present and future decisions, and celebrate North Dakota history.

Five values are at the heart of our work and guide our strategic planning process:

• Stewardship: As a 501(c)3 entity, we understand the significance of the generous donations and gifts we receive. Our team will act with the highest levels of accountability, integrity, and responsibility to care for the resources entrusted to us. In addition to being trustworthy stewards, the Foundation will enact transparent administrative policies and financial oversight to ensure the sustainability of our work for future generations.
• Accessibility: We acknowledge that history is complex and seek to assist the State Historical Society of North Dakota as it presents a comprehensive, inclusive narrative of our state’s diverse history for audiences of all ages and abilities. Our team also recognizes the importance of North Dakota communities and aims to engage and uplift underrepresented groups throughout the state, thereby ensuring that past, present, and future voices are honored and heard.
• Preservation: Although we are not directly engaged in identification or preservation practices, we serve the professionals employed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota as they ascertain the authenticity and relevance of historical materials. Similarly, our team is dedicated to ensuring the purposeful and ethical handling of historical materials and continually pursues opportunities to share our state’s legacy.
• Teamwork: We believe that remarkable achievements and growth occur through collaboration. Our team seeks to build relationships with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and other organizations based on compassion, respect, and a mutual investment in the future potential of North Dakota.
• Excellence: Excellence underscores everything we do at the Foundation. Our team is enthusiastic and has a passion for helping the State Historical Society of North Dakota in furthering its mission. We believe that curiosity, encouragement, and innovation inspire greatness, and we are motivated to consistently complete quality work.

OUR HISTORY:

The Thirty-Ninth North Dakota State Legislative Assembly established the North Dakota Heritage Commission (NDHC) in 1965. Two years later, Governor William L. Guy invited former Governors John E. Davis and Norman Brunsdale to join his campaign to reorganize the NDHC as the North Dakota Heritage Foundation (NDHF). The NDHF formally incorporated on November 13, 1967, and began fundraising for the construction of a state Heritage Center in Bismarck, North Dakota. NDHF fundraising efforts continued for over a decade, and the North Dakota Heritage Center opened on May 30, 1981, after receiving $1.8 million in donations and match pledges. The NDHF continued operations for three decades but updated its name to the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation to reflect the organization’s status as the primary 501(c)3 fundraising entity for the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND).

Despite changing its name and achieving its original mission, the Foundation has remained a close partner of the SHSND. In addition to supporting the SHSND in pursuit of its mission, the Foundation has played an influential role in the transformation of the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum in Bismarck. The Foundation fundraised $12.6 million to support the North Dakota Heritage Center expansion in 2014. Following its own precedent, the Foundation is currently partnering with the SHSND, the North Dakota National Guard, and the North Dakota National Guard Foundation to fundraise for the North Dakota Military Gallery expansion.

The Foundation also sponsors educational programs for state students, funds professional development opportunities for SHSND employees and state educators, hosts volunteer appreciation events, coordinates the North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program, and promotes North Dakota history.

2024 END OF YEAR REVIEW:

In 2024, our dedicated team and generous supporters have made remarkable strides in preserving and promoting North Dakota's vibrant heritage. Through strategic partnerships, private funding, and unwavering commitment, the Foundation has continued to enhance our mission of identifying, preserving, interpreting, and promoting the stories of North Dakota and its people. The Foundation has been instrumental in supporting critical initiatives, including the expansion of archival collections, upgrading technological infrastructure, and creating public-facing platforms that make our state's history more accessible than ever before. We are profoundly grateful to our supporters who have helped us continue our important work of making history engaging, educational, and meaningful for generations to come.