The MDU Resources Foundation is accepting applications for its 2027 funding cycle from qualified organizations serving communities within the operating footprint of MDU Resources companies. South Dakota is included, with Montana-Dakota Utilities serving communities including Pierre, Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Mobridge, Belle Fourche and other locations across the state.
Eligible recipients are generally IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) organizations; the application also accepts evidence of government-agency status under IRC Section 170(c). Funding categories include Education and Human Services. Human Services expressly includes access to healthcare, while Education supports classroom resources, after-school programs, scholarships, and career and technical training.
Request types include capital construction or improvements, program support, special projects, and sponsorships. The foundation states that staffing, ongoing operating expenses, and hospital equipment have sometimes been funded but receive low priority. Hospitals and organizations are encouraged to propose new programming needs not met by regular operating expenses. The foundation generally does not fund 100% of a project’s total cost and encourages applicants to seek other support, but no fixed match percentage is stated.
Applications are due October 1, 2026 for funding sought in 2027. The official grant page does not publish an exact closing time or time zone. Required application materials include organization and tax-status information, project cost and amount requested, a budget when applicable, an implementation timeline and major contribution list for special-project or capital requests, officers and board list, organization history and service-area description, and proof of 501(c)(3) or government-agency status. The official pages do not state a maximum award amount or total funding pool.
Atlas fit note: Atlas Opportunity Score 64/100. Applicant fit is conditional on project scope and current funder rules. A connected-assessment project could be plausible only as part of an applicant-led new healthcare-access program in an eligible MDU community. Hospital equipment is explicitly low priority, so specific N9+ allowability should be confirmed before outreach or project representation.
Potential South Dakota pathway: Monument Health Foundation in Rapid City is a verified 501(c)(3) and states that it raises funds for programs, medical equipment, and facilities. Rapid City is an MDU-served community. This makes it a realistic applicant pathway for a new-program concept, subject to applicant interest and funder confirmation of project-specific costs.