Union Block in downtown Hillsboro, ND, is currently being restored by Hillsboro Community Partnership, a member of PND's Local Affiliate Program. HCP received a $5,000 Grassroots Grant to aid in the final phase of restoration.

Established in 2001, the Grassroots Grants Program began by providing grants to preservation projects involving church buildings, also known as the Prairie Churches of North Dakota Project. In 2007, PND expanded the grant program to include the “Prairie Places” grant category for other types of preservation projects. From 2002 through 2009, PND awarded twenty-six “Prairie Churches” and four “Prairie Places” Grassroots Grants to projects across the state with financial support from Save America’s Treasures and the J. M. Kaplan Fund of New York City.

This year, PND’s board of directors allocated $15,000 for the Grassroots Grants program, $3,000 more than in 2009. “This is a significant commitment for PND,” said Jennifer Wilkie, PND’s Director of Administration & Development. “We have successfully finished the initial project as it was supported by the Save America’s Treasures program and the J. M. Kaplan Fund. Now, it’s up to us to sustain the Grassroots Grants program through our own fundraising efforts.”

Suzzanne Kelley, PND’s president, recently commented on the importance of the grant program. “Our $15,000 will go a long way in getting several groups on the road to success with their projects,” she said. “It is encouraging that we received $30,000 in requests-- we hope to build our fund and award even more next year!”

The 2010 PND Grassroots Grants recipients are:

Bechyne Heritage Hall, rural Walsh County - $2,500 for roofing project

Hillsboro Community Partnership, Hillsboro, ND - $5,000 for exterior masonry restoration of Union Block

Kathryn Heritage Alliance, Kathryn, ND - $3,800 for electrical upgrades for the former Sheyenne National Bank Building

Mayville Campus Preservation Society, Mayville, ND - $1,300 for Northwest Hall restoration

Melby Heritage Society, Manfred, ND - $1,300 for Hotel Johnson restoration

Trinity Heupel Lutheran Church, rural New Leipzig, ND - $1,100 for interior repairs and painting

For more information or if you would like to contribute to PND’s Grassroots Grant Fund, please contact us at 701-356-3001 or wilkie@prairieplaces.org.