Souris Basin Planning Council

04/03/2025

🍎🥖 In an effort to strengthen North Dakota’s food pantries, we’re hosting a discussion about a VISTA service opportunity designed to support pantries statewide. Led by Janice Tweet, Ending Hunger 2.0 Director at Great Plains Food Bank, we’ll explore how this opportunity can help with the capacity-building activities your pantry needs most. How can we help you better serve your community?
📅 RSVP to join the conversation—in person or online. Join us April 10 from 6:00–8:00 PM at The Lord's Cupboard Food Pantry in Minot or via Zoom. Event details & RSVP in the comments below! 👇
📸 Pictures feature a past Donation Station Food Drive at The Lord's Cupboard.

04/01/2025

Our latest blog shares how Stepping Stone Ministries is rebuilding after a devastating fire with support from our Community Builder Program and AmeriCorps Members. 🔨💙 Their mission is to provide medical respite care for people experiencing homelessness, offering a safe place to heal and rebuild. 3 State Members and 1 VISTA Member will provide hands-on support, mentorship, volunteer coordination, and long-term sustainability efforts—bringing over $51,000 in support to the organization. Read about how a community came together to turn hardship into hope - link in comments bellow. 👇

03/25/2025

Mountrail County businesses and entrepreneurs — the JDA needs your input! Take a brief survey to help shape trainings, workshops, and events designed to support your business. Plus, they’re now on Facebook and Instagram — follow to stay connected for important updates!

💼 Mountrail County businesses and entrepreneurs—we want to hear from you!
Whether you're an established business, a new startup, or just exploring an idea, we want to offer trainings, workshops, and events that meet your needs. In partnership with Souris Basin Planning Council, we are working to develop learning opportunities tailored to local businesses and entrepreneurs.
Help us better understand your business needs by completing a brief survey, open until March 31st - link in comments below. 👇

03/25/2025

is about celebrating the passion, resilience, and vision of women who turn their dreams into reality. Christine Staley, founder of Magic City Hoagies & Sweets, is one of those women. With the help of our Resiliency Fund, she was able to bring her vision of building her own business to life. We’re proud to support women-owned businesses through financing programs that provide the funding and resources needed to grow. 💙

"They saw something in me, and I felt welcome for the opportunity to tell my vision. SBPC believed in me. They saw my passion and were the pivotal linchpin for me to move forward. If I didn't have them, then I would have never been able to start my business." – Christine Staley

03/19/2025

We ❤️ teaming up with North Dakota Small Business Development Centers to support ND businesses with advising, training, and funding. In 2024 alone, they helped create or support more than 5,500 jobs across the state!
📸 Erin, our Economic Development Project Specialist & Mountrail County JDA Administrator, showing some love for

03/19/2025

🌽 If you’ve been looking for fresh, locally sourced food, the FARRMS Online Farmer Directory makes it easy to find it. 👩‍🌾The directory connects you with the people growing food in your community, whether you’re searching for farmers markets, farm stands, or local producers! 🍅 Add your own farm or local food business to the directory to share your story, connect with others in the industry, and reach more people in your community.
🌾Directory link in comments below!

03/14/2025

✨ NEW ✨ AmeriCorps Opportunities in Minot & Bismarck!

• Community Outreach Capacity Building Member – MARCO (Minot)
Help strengthen community outreach efforts for the Minot Area Recovery Community Organization by building relationships with local schools, businesses, and residents. Assist with events, outreach strategies, and contribute to a supportive and engaged recovery community. In-Person | Part-Time (450 Hours)

• Residential Peer Support Member – Stepping Stone Ministries (Bismarck)
Support medically fragile individuals experiencing homelessness in a residential medical respite facility. Assist with resident support, transportation, documentation, meal prep, facility maintenance, and promoting a supportive environment. In-Person | Part-Time (675–900 Hours)

💡 Benefits for both opportunities include a monthly living stipend, grocery/rent assistance, & an education award.
👇 Learn more & apply - link in comments.

03/13/2025

🎉 Meet Trey, our newest AmeriCorps Member at SBPC! As Social Media & Marketing Coordinator, he’s serving alongside the Mountrail County JDA to strengthen their marketing and communication efforts.
🎓 Trey is currently a senior at Minot State University studying Professional Communication. He says he was inspired to serve his community as an AmeriCorps Member when he learned it was an opportunity to help local businesses grow and thrive. 🏓 In his free time, Trey enjoys attending church activities, playing pickleball, and helping produce MSU’s Inside Out TV show 🎬. Welcome to the team, Trey!

03/12/2025

🏠 Minot Area Men's Winter Refuge has provided shelter to over 2,000 men experiencing homelessness since 2013. Hear from the shelter's Executive Director, Mike Zimmer, as he discusses the impact of their work and shares his journey at Start Up Minot's FREE networking event. ☕ Connect, learn, & enjoy a coffee on Thursday, March 13 from 7:30-8:30 AM at the Carnegie Center of Minot.

📸 Photos, provided by Start Up Minot, feature previous events.

03/11/2025

🤝💼 Last week, Victoria attended Minot State University's career fair, sharing how our Community Builder Program connects AmeriCorps Members with projects that make an impact in communities!

We’re especially excited that MSU is now a Host Site, welcoming their first AmeriCorps Member, Patrick, to support the Plum River Native Prairie project. In partnership with Minot Public Schools & Audubon Great Plains, this project will restore the former Erik Ramstad Middle School site into a thriving mixed-grass prairie. 🌿

03/10/2025

Happy ! AmeriCorps Members are the changemakers behind our Community Builder Program, helping our region’s communities grow stronger since 2019.

In the past year alone, AmeriCorps Members completed over 7,500 service hours helping expand economic opportunity, healthy futures, and education across the state. We want to extend a huge thank you to our incredible Host Site partners for welcoming AmeriCorps Members into their organizations and making this impact possible.

03/07/2025

☕✨ ND Women's Business Center is brewing up a networking opportunity at the Capitol on Monday! Connect with entrepreneurs, economic developers, resource partners, and legislators while browsing locally-sourced products, services, and samples. Stop by anytime between 9 AM – 2 PM on Monday, March 10.
📍 600 E Boulevard Ave, Bismarck, ND

03/05/2025

✨ Introducing Mary Liz Davis, one of the newest members of the SBPC Board of Directors! She serves as an Executive Board Member representing the City of Velva and is currently in her second term as a City Commissioner.

Mary has a long history of community involvement, serving on boards such as the Souris Valley Care Center- Valley View Manor, Velva Food Pantry, Velva Area Chamber, Velva Methodist Church, and the Iris Swedlund Public Library. With a background in long-term care, Mary has stayed active in her community through the Velva Association of Commerce and as a pianist for the Methodist church. Originally from Fargo, she attended North Dakota State University and has called western North Dakota home for over 50 years. Welcome, Mary! 👏

03/03/2025

Check out these two upcoming events designed to support & connect women entrepreneurs across the state.
🤝The Women’s Business Summit is a multi-day event that combines hands-on training, strategic networking, and expert-led sessions. 🏫 Learn and discuss long-term business strategy and connect with professionals who support business growth from April 29 – May 1, 2025, in Medora.
👩‍💼The 2025 Women’s Business Conference is a one-day event designed to showcase insights from industry leaders, networking opportunities, and discussions on strategies to grow your business. The conference will be held on May 8, 2025, in Jamestown.
🔗 Want more info? Click the links in the comments below! 👇

📸 Photos feature the 2024 Women's Business Summit (Credit: North Dakota Women's Business Center)

02/28/2025

for business expansion in Minot! 🚀 The MAGIC Fund supports growth, job creation, and relocation in the Minot trade area. Check out North Dakota Women's Business Center for weekly funding tips!

Happy ! This week's funding opportunity is brought to you by the City of Minot.

The MAGIC Fund provides financial incentives for businesses looking to expand or relocate in the Minot trade area. The fund aims to create new jobs, retain existing jobs, and promote business growth.

Learn more at 💻 ndwbc.com/funding

02/27/2025

📈 Black-owned businesses are growing in North Dakota! In 2023, there were over 1,700 Black or African American-owned businesses—and in 2024, that number has grown to over 2,400 (according to U.S. Small Business Administration).
is a time to recognize the impact of Black entrepreneurs and the businesses shaping our communities. Tag your favorite local Black-owned business in the comments and show your support! ⬇️

02/26/2025

🌎❤️‍🩹 If your nonprofit is working to create a healthier, more sustainable world, the Clif Family Foundation has grant funding available! Grants range from $5,000 - $50,000 and support 501(c)(3) organizations focused on regenerative farming, food workers’ health and safety, climate justice, healthy food access, inclusive outdoor access, and pollution-free environments. 🌾Funding can be used for general operating costs or specific projects.

The first application deadline is March 1, with a second opportunity to apply by August 1. Priority is given to grassroots organizations with strong community ties and budgets under $3 million.
Learn more and see if your work aligns - link in comments! 👇

02/11/2025

Have a community project ready to launch? 🚀 The 2025 AARP Community Challenge is offering grants to nonprofits and local governments to create more livable communities for all ages. Since 2017, AARP has awarded $20.1 million to communities through grants, reaching 130 million people! Apply before the March 5th deadline - link in comments! 👇