Youthworks Announces 2027 Cultural Connection Grant Opportunity
September 17, 2026
Youthworks, with support from the Reba Walker Trust, is accepting proposals for 2027 Cultural Connection Grants supporting projects that strengthen cultural identity, connection, leadership, and belonging among youth in the Bismarck-Mandan community. The funding places a strong emphasis on Indigenous youth and also welcomes culturally responsive projects serving BIPOC youth ages 10–17.
A total of $25,000 will be awarded across up to three grants for projects taking place January 1–December 31, 2027. New projects, expansions of existing efforts, and defined components of ongoing programs are eligible.
Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. CT on October 15, 2026. Questions and completed applications should be sent to Sara Eastman at seastman@youthworksnd.org.
Moorhead Community for Homeless Young Adults
March 30, 2026
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ND HOPE Project
January 12, 2026
Youthworks is proud to be a member of the newly established ND HOPE Project, a coalition of six youth-serving agencies dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and sexual exploitation. The ND HOPE Project recently held a press conference to share their mission, goals, and upcoming education efforts. Please read more at the links below:
Moorhead Project
December 2, 2025
ND Tax Credit – Parenting Pathways Program
November 10, 2025
Youthworks offers community members a meaningful way to support young parents and their children through the Parenting Pathways Program—while also benefiting from a North Dakota income tax credit. By donating to Youthworks’ Maternity Home initiative, individuals and businesses can directly impact the lives of pregnant and parenting young adults experiencing homelessness. This program provides safe housing, mentoring, counseling, and essential life skills education in both Bismarck and Fargo, empowering young families toward stability and independence. The tax credit allows donors to receive up to 50% of their state income tax bill or $2,500, making it a rewarding opportunity to give back while saving on taxes.
Melanie Heitkamp’s Retirement Announcement
May 23, 2025
Hello Everyone,
After nearly four decades of dedicated service, I am announcing that May 30 will be my final day as Executive Director of Youthworks. It has been an incredible journey, and I have decided to step aside to make space for the next generation of leaders and visionaries. I am thrilled to share that Mark Heinert will be stepping into the role of Executive Director. With 29 years of experience at Youthworks, Mark is a well-known advocate and leader statewide, particularly in supporting youth experiencing homelessness. Mark and I have worked closely together over the years to implement essential services and initiatives, and I am confident that Youthworks is in excellent hands under his leadership.
Looking back over the past 38 years, I feel profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work within an organization that places unwavering faith in the potential of our youth. My journey has been enriched by an outstanding Board of Directors, passionate and dedicated staff, and a community of donors and supporters who consistently step up when help is needed—whether filling our food pantry, providing funds for sheltering trafficking survivors, or supporting emergency mental health crisis services.
I want to express my deepest appreciation to all the agencies and partners I have collaborated with throughout the years. Together, we have navigated complex challenges, finding solutions to the difficulties faced by the youth and families we serve. Your unwavering commitment has been a beacon of hope for those who often feel hopeless.
Finally, to my family—Lonnie, Cole, and Olivia—thank you. You have stood by me through late nights, crisis calls, and countless moments of distraction, understanding that the work I do is not just a job but a mission. None of this would have been possible without your unwavering support and understanding.
Thank you all for an incredible journey.
Warm regards, Melanie
Youthworks Receives $1 Million Gift From the Yield Giving Open Call
March 19, 2024
Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced Youthworks as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States. Youthworks received $1 million.
Youthworks’ mission is to help ensure all youth have a safe place to belong and be heard, and has been providing services to youth and families in North Dakota since 1986. Offices are located throughout North Dakota, in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, and Grand Forks. Those served at Youthworks include homeless, runaway, trafficked and at-risk youth and their families. Programs and services include: crisis intervention; emergency shelter for minors; transitional housing for homeless young adults; anti-trafficking program; street outreach and drop-in center; school-based programs; youth and family engagement program; and cultural, activity, and support groups for youth. On an annual basis, Youthworks serves over 1,000 youth and their families across ND.
In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources.
“Youthworks is honored to have received this incredible gift, and be entrusted with these funds to help ensure all youth are seen and heard in North Dakota,” says Melanie Heitkamp, Youthworks Executive Director. “The impact of this donation cannot be understated as Youthworks implements its vision to further incorporate youth leadership, youth voice, and youth advocacy into its programming.”
The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause, and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount.
“We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations,” said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. “In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.”
More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org. More information about Youthworks programs, services, and impact throughout North Dakota can be found at www.youthworksnd.org.
Youthworks: Youthworks’ mission is to help ensure all youth have a safe place to belong and be heard, and has been providing services to youth and families in North Dakota since 1986. Offices are located throughout North Dakota, in Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, and Grand Forks. Those served at Youthworks include homeless, runaway, trafficked and at-risk youth and their families. Programs and services include: crisis intervention; emergency shelter for minors; transitional housing for homeless young adults; anti-trafficking program; street outreach and drop-in center; school-based programs; youth and family engagement program; and cultural, activity, and support groups for youth. On an annual basis, Youthworks serves over 1,000 youth and their families across ND.
Yield Giving: Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.
Lever for Change: Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.