NDAD annually provides grant opportunities to nonprofit agencies, organizations and programs in North Dakota and directly adjacent border communities - the
Adaptive Recreation Grant and the
Gibbens Memorial Grant.
Gibbens Memorial Grant
Ron and Faye Gibbens
NDAD awards at least one $5,000 Gibbens Memorial Grant annually to an agency/organization to be used for a health, welfare, social service or educational purpose for at-risk populations.
The grant was originally created in memory of Faye Gibbens, NDAD’s co-founder and longtime client program services leader who died in 2014. The grant's name was amended in 2021 to additionally honor the memory of Ron Gibbens, who died in May of that year. Faye's husband of 49 years was co-founder, board president and retired chief executive officer.
Inspired by their son, Mike, who was born with cerebral palsy, North Dakota natives Faye and Ron built NDAD from a small Grand Forks parental support group to a statewide charitable nonprofit helping children and adults with a variety of disabilities and health challenges.
The group took root and gained official status in 1975 as the North Dakota Association for the Disabled, then became a 501c(3) charity the following year. The Gibbens' passion was to provide assistance to individuals in need. In addition to information and referral, NDAD's client services grew to include direct financial assistance, a free equipment loan program, and various other services.
Grant Recipients:
Adaptive Recreation Grant
Our 2025 Adaptive Recreation Grant Period is now open until March 31, 2025, at 5 p.m. CST. Grant application available here.
NDAD annually awards at least one Adaptive Recreation Grant. It's a $5,000 grant opportunity for agencies/organizations that promote and support adaptive recreational activities for people with disabilities..
The grants are available to agencies and organizations in North Dakota and the state's directly adjacent border communities.
Perhaps the need is for a special event, an adaptive equipment purchase or upgrade, or a new or expanded recreation program. The potential uses may vary widely, but it must be to help serve people with disabilities through adaptive recreational activities.
Grant Recipients:
Minot Daily News Article: Accessible playground ship sets sail at Sunnyside, by Audin Rhodes
Grand Forks YMCA trainer Shawn Reich talks with member Barb Beach,
who uses the SciFit machine in the Y's Med Fit Adaptive Equipment Program during 2022. The machine was purchased using money from an Adaptive Recreation Grant awarded by NDAD.