Best Women's Programs in North Dakota — 14 resources

About Women's Programs for Women

Women's empowerment programs in the US are funded through a mix of federal grants (Office on Women's Health, Women's Bureau at the Department of Labor, WANTO grants for nontraditional trades) and nonprofit networks like the YWCA, AAUW, and the National Council of Women's Organizations. Services typically include leadership development, financial literacy, entrepreneurship through SBA Women's Business Centers (WBCs), and peer support groups. Dress for Success outfits women re-entering the workforce, and Bottomless Closet and Step Up Network mentor low-income women. State-level women's commissions advocate on policy and refer to local providers. This directory aggregates WBCs, YWCAs, women's commissions, and empowerment nonprofits.

Women's Programs in North Dakota

North Dakota district courts handle family matters across seven judicial districts. The Child Support Division operates under DHHS. Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, and Minot are the largest cities. Legal Services of North Dakota and CAWS North Dakota (the statewide DV coalition) provide civil legal aid and safety services to women.

14 Resources

1. ND Commission on the Status of Women — Free

The ND Commission on the Status of Women, housed within state government in Bismarck, conducts research on the economic and social status of ND women, recommends policy to the Legislature, and recognizes outstanding ND women annually. Public meetings are open to attendance. Call 701-328-2440 Mon-Fri to receive the commission's research briefs or testify on pending legislation.

701-328-2440 · Bismarck, ND 58505 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. YWCA of Cass Clay — Fargo — Free

YWCA Cass Clay at 3100 12th Ave S in Fargo operates ND's largest women's shelter alongside economic empowerment programs — financial coaching, workforce training, and the Women's Leadership Network. Day and evening shelter intake is by calling 701-232-3449. The campus also runs the only certified DV legal advocate program for the Red River Valley.

701-232-3449 · 3100 12th Ave S, Fargo, ND 58103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons — Free

Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons serves girls K-12 across ND, SD, and parts of MN and IA. Troop-based leadership programming covers STEM, financial literacy, outdoor skills, and civic engagement. Financial aid covers membership and uniform costs for low-income families. Call 800-247-8509 Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm to find your daughter's nearest troop or start one.

800-247-8509 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

4. ND Small Business Development Centers — Women — Free

The ND SBDC Lead Center at UND in Grand Forks coordinates 10 regional offices providing free one-on-one business consulting to women entrepreneurs — business plan review, financial projections, capital access, and SBA loan packaging. Call 701-777-3700 to be matched with a counselor; many offer evening hours by appointment for mothers working day jobs.

701-777-3700 · Grand Forks, ND · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

5. Junior League of Fargo-Moorhead — Free

The Junior League of Fargo-Moorhead trains women in volunteer leadership through hands-on community projects — currently focused on food security and education equity in the Red River Valley. Provisional class begins each fall. Call 701-235-8836 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or attend a Tuesday-evening info session at their HQ. Membership dues are tiered for early-career women.

701-235-8836 · Fargo, ND · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. SBA North Dakota — Women's Programs — Free

The SBA North Dakota District Office in Fargo at 657 2nd Ave N coordinates the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) federal contracting certification, the InnovateHER program, and SBA Express loan products favorable to women-owned firms. Call 701-239-5131 Mon-Fri to schedule a counseling appointment or attend a free Lender Match event.

701-239-5131 · Fargo, ND · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. AAUW — American Association of University Women — Free

AAUW has been advancing economic security for women through education since 1881. ND branches in Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minot offer scholarships for nontraditional women students, salary-negotiation Start Smart workshops on local campuses, and the Tech Trek STEM camp for 8th-grade girls. Membership is open to anyone supporting gender equity in education.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. National Organization for Women (NOW) — Free

NOW is the largest feminist grassroots organization in the country. ND has chapter activity coordinated through the regional Plains office focusing on reproductive rights, equal pay, and ending gender-based violence. Membership at now.org funds advocacy at the ND Capitol and US Congress. Free issue briefs and action alerts available to all visitors.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. League of Women Voters — Free

The League of Women Voters of North Dakota runs voter registration drives, candidate forums, and ballot-measure education without endorsing parties. ND League hosts the only nonpartisan voter guide covering every statewide and federal race. Visit lwv.org to find your county chapter or volunteer to staff a polling place on election day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. YWCA USA — Free

YWCA USA federates over 200 local YWCAs including ND's Cass-Clay affiliate. Through the national office, ND women can access leadership development fellowships, the Stand Against Racism campaign, and emergency assistance grants for survivors. Donations are pooled to support local affiliates' shelter and childcare operations.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Women's Funding Network — Free

Women's Funding Network is the coalition of women's foundations including the regional Minnesota Women's Foundation, which sometimes funds ND programs. Mothers can search the WFN member directory at womensfundingnetwork.org to find grantmakers serving ND women — opportunities for nonprofits as well as direct-aid scholarships for individuals.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Junior League — Free

The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) coordinates Junior Leagues across the US and Canada including Fargo-Moorhead's. Member training in nonprofit board service, fundraising, and community impact assessment opens doors to ND civic leadership. Visit ajli.org for chapter directory, public-policy positions, and the Diversity & Inclusion resource library.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Soroptimist International — Free

Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards provide cash grants from

,000 to
6,000 annually to women who are the primary financial support for their families and are returning to school. ND clubs in Fargo, Bismarck, and other communities accept applications each November for the following year. Apply at soroptimist.org/our-work/live-your-dream-awards.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Zonta International — Free

Zonta clubs in Fargo and other ND communities run the Young Women in Public Affairs Award for high schoolers and the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship for college students. Members are professional women who pool resources for vocational scholarships at NDSCS, BSC, and Williston State. Visit zonta.org for the local club roster.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many women's programs resources are in North Dakota?
Women's Corner tracks 14 women's programs resources for women in North Dakota.
Are women's programs resources in North Dakota free?
14 of the 14 listed women's programs resources in North Dakota are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in North Dakota have women's programs resources?
Listings span cities including Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks.
What are some examples of women's programs resources in North Dakota?
Featured entries include ND Commission on the Status of Women, YWCA of Cass Clay — Fargo, Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, ND Small Business Development Centers — Women, Junior League of Fargo-Moorhead.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 14 North Dakota women's programs listings include phone numbers.
What do women's empowerment programs actually offer?
Most combine peer support groups, financial literacy and credit-building classes, job training, GED prep, leadership development, and help navigating benefits and legal systems. Many include free childcare during sessions. Programs like Dress for Success, Bottomless Closet, and YWCA chapters serve women rebuilding after divorce, abuse, or job loss.
Are there programs for single moms specifically?
Yes. The Life of a Single Mom (TLSM) operates in 30+ states with peer groups and crisis grants. Helping Hands for Single Moms funds college for single mothers. Modest Needs gives short-term emergency grants. Many United Way 211 calls connect single mothers to local single-mom funds for rent, car repair, or childcare.
Do these programs cost money?
Almost all empowerment programs are free for income-qualifying women, often funded through HHS Office of Family Assistance, state TANF dollars, or private foundations. Many include free meals, transportation stipends, and childcare. Bring ID, proof of income, and any benefits letters when you enroll.
Can I get help starting a business as a woman?
Yes. The SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership funds 140+ Women's Business Centers nationwide offering free training, mentorship, and loan readiness. SCORE provides free women-mentor pairings. Grants like the Amber Grant (
0,000/month) and Cartier Women's Initiative target women founders. Many states have additional women-owned business certifications that unlock contracts.