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
Strengthen ND Receives USDA Grant
November 9, 2020 - USDA Rural Development, through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG), has granted $64,188 to Strengthen ND to assist North Dakota’s Five Native Nations and tribal members with growing a sustainable and strong economy by starting and growing...
Rural Rendezvous: Quarterly Gathering of Community Doers & Enthusiasts
Join us for a Rural Rendezvous! Join us for a quarterly virtual gathering of rural community doers and enthusiasts to connect with peers, share about your community, and create a better North Dakota! There is no cost to attend the Rural Rendezvous; however,...
Watford City
Community Planning: In the summer of 2019, Watford City and the McKenzie County Job Development Authority engaged with Strengthen ND to develop a five-year Community Sustainability Plan. Through a community survey, community roundtable sessions and a leadership-driven...
Tuttle Rural Innovation Center
Fundraising Planning: Strengthen ND was invited to work with the community of Tuttle in 2016 to make their big dreams a reality. In addition to providing project management and grant writing support, Strengthen ND worked with the community to identify and develop...
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians
Grant Writing Assistance: In the spring of 2020, the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians engaged with Strengthen ND to provide grant writing services to establish a Tribal Department of Agriculture. In just five short months, Strengthen ND worked with the staff...
Souris Valley United Way
Succession Planning: When the Souris Valley United Way (SVUW) underwent a planned executive director transition, they engaged with Strengthen ND to support the succession planning process. This included working with the current executive director to systematize...
North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance
Board and Staff Development: Strengthen ND worked with the Board of Directors of the North Dakota Native Tourism Alliance (NDNTA) over a period of several virtual and in-person sessions. The board and staff development support provided included training on board...
North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality
Strategic and Organizational Action Planning: In 2017, legislation came forward to create a new state department - the Department of Environmental Quality. In need of a strategic plan to support the transition and an action plan to begin operations, the Department of...
Central Regional Education Association
Grant Writing Assistance: Central Regional Education Association, in partnership with Nexus-PATH, engaged with Strengthen ND to write for a U.S. Department of Education grant to establish a Full Service Community Schools Consortium in North Dakota. Working on a...
Carrington
Community Planning: In the summer of 2019, stakeholders within the Carrington area engaged with Strengthen ND to develop a five-year Community Plan. Through a community survey, youth survey, several community focus group sessions and leadership-driven planning...