Empowering Rural Communities
Free Assistance for Nonprofits and Rural Areas
Strengthen ND provides expert guidance and support to help rural communities and nonprofits thrive. Our services include nonprofit incorporation, startup assistance, funding source identification, and proposal review.
Cher Hersrud
With 40 years of experience working in North Dakota’s rural communities, Cher Hersrud is a seasoned expert in nonprofit incorporation, startup assistance, funding strategies, and proposal review. Her extensive background ensures that rural communities and nonprofits receive the support they need to succeed.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Book an appointment with Cher Hersrud to receive personalized assistance for your rural community or nonprofit organization. Fill out the form below to get started.
Rural Community Resources
The Art of Reopening: A Guide to Current Practices Among Arts Organizations During COVID-19
Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches and Communities
Embrace the Naysayers: Strengthen ND's Rural Short Stories Series
A Rural Community Opportunity: Beautify Your Community While Helping the Bees and Butterflies
Urban Agriculture Toolkit
USDA Food Supply Chain Funding
Strengthen ND Succession Road Map
Shared Kitchen Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Planning, Launching, and Managing a Shared-Use Commercial Kitchen
A Perspective on Rural Community Success
Rural Community Project Planning:
Six Steps to Make Projects More Successful
USDA Rural Workforce Guide for Rural Workforce Development
Wilton Public School District: A Full Service Community School Example
Rural Community Survey
Hawaii native becomes ‘small-town treasure’ in rural North Dakota
(AGWEEK) CROSBY, N.D. — North Dakota wasn’t where Jonathan Kauhako expected to live and work. “If you would have told me three years ago I’d be living in North Dakota, doing this, I’d be like sure, right, right,” said Jonathan Kauhako, owner of Hindsite Creations, a...
Pioneer spirit pulls Coloradan to a new life in North Dakota
(AGWEEK) WATFORD CITY, N.D. — Like a modern-day pioneer, Sandy Rieker packed up her family and moved to the country to start a new life. But unlike the early settlers, Rieker and her family headed north, not west, 10 years ago, leaving her native Colorado and landing...
Divide County Journal: Focus on Community
June 1, 2021 - This is the first of a three-part report on a series of discussions held in Divide County to aid future planning and development work by the Divide County Economic Development Council. Read the full article here.
KX News: Someone You Should Know
April 2, 2021 - With small-town North Dakota roots, Warwick-native Megan Laudenschlager is passionate about improving her home state in any way she can. “There’s nothing better than growing up on a farm and living in a small town, graduating with a class of five...
2021 Nonprofit Certificate Program
Strengthen ND's Nonprofit Certificate Program was established to meet the capacity building needs of nonprofit professionals and volunteers. The intent of the Nonprofit Certificate Program is to provide an opportunity for nonprofit professionals and volunteers to...
Megan Laudenschlager and Larry Keown on Prairie Public
April 17, 2021 - Megan Laudenschlager and Larry Keown were able to speak with Ashley Thornberg on Main Street about the upcoming workshop series, Working in Indian Country! Listen to the interview HERE.
Gateway to Science
Strategic Planning: Strengthen ND was invited to work with Gateway to Science in the spring of 2021 to undertake activities and efforts around large-scale strategic planning. This includes surveying the board of directors, staff, and stakeholders in the STEM...
Laudenschlager Selected As Leading Lady Honoree
March 9, 2021 - The public is invited to join business leaders and top nonprofit workers at the 9th Annual Leading Ladies Luncheon on March 25, 2021, at the Ramkota in Bismarck from 11 AM - 1 PM. The luncheon honors five women who are making an impact in the history...
Bi-Monthly Grant Writing Help Sessions
Join us for Grant Writing Help Sessions! Every other month, Strengthen ND is hosting Grant Writing Help Sessions for individuals, organizations, and communities to receive no-cost technical assistance on grantseeking and grant writing. The Grant Writing Help...
Town transforms school building into Tuttle Rural Innovation Center
February 17, 2021 - The Tuttle Rural Innovation Center organizers have big dreams. They want the facility to house small businesses and spaces for local craftsmen and artists. They see it as an events center and a local food hub. And all of those things would create...