On the Ground Report: Federal Impacts in North Dakota

By: Prairie Action North Dakota Institute

May 16, 2025

$432,000 in ND AmeriCorps Grants - Gone Overnight

• Cuts announced April 25 with no warning

• 91 positions in ND terminated “effective immediately”

• State agencies had no appeal process

Four Crucial Community Programs Eliminated

SERVICES LOST:

• Childcare

• Literacy education

• After-school programs

• Community empowerment and capacity building

Four Crucial Community Programs Eliminated

• Souris Basin Planning Council

  • Advancing economic progress in ND Region 2 through community and business support.

• Cooperstown Community Activities

  • Health and education-focused youth programs.

• Southeast Education Cooperative

  • Regional support for schools through training, tech, and curriculum services.

• Sanford Foundation

  • Mentorship program improving student attendance, academics, and engagement.

AmeriCorps was Filling Gaps in Rural Classrooms

Bryon Rosene, a paraprofessional in his 9th year at Elgin/New Leipzig Public School, was recently serving as an AmeriCorps member—until federal cuts abruptly ended his service.

Through AmeriCorps, he worked beyond his regular duties, supporting 10 seventh and eighth graders during a dedicated math intervention period.

In a school of just 160 students (K–12), that’s a big share of kids who needed extra help.

A Blow to Community Daycare and Youth Services

6 members in Cooperstown supported daycares, after-school programs, and a community gym and those positions were cut.

A particularly devastating aspect of this loss is that services helped children who were developmentally and socially behind.

“Our community is small. There’s not enough funding to provide these services.” Michelle Zaun

Losing Future Leaders

Briselda Hernandez, now the executive director of the Souris Basin Planning Council, got her start as an AmeriCorps VISTA.

“That year of service deepened my commitment to public service... and inspired me to dedicate my career to economic and community development in North Dakota.”

Now she’s leading change in her community... but the program that launched her career has been cut.

AmeriCorps isn’t just filling today’s gaps—it’s shaping tomorrow’s leaders. Many members use their service year to build skills, explore careers in public service, and access education benefits like loan deferral and professional building opportunities.

Sources:

Minot Daily News, May 3, 2025

The Bismarck Tribune, May 6, 2025

North Dakota News Cooperative, May 13, 2025