Elvedalen Lodge 2-129 utilized a Helping Hands to Children Grant to provide 50 families with a Thanksgiving dinner.
“We were humbled and gave thanks to the Sons of Norway Foundation for enabling us to double our outreach this year.”
Now that’s the Sons of Norway Foundation mission in motion.
In 2025, the Sons of Norway Foundation distributed over $273,000 in awards.
$148,000 In Scholarships for students to study in the United States, Canada, and Norway
$110,000 In Grants for Norwegian culture and heritage programs
$15,000 In Camperships for kids across the United States to attend Norwegian cultural camps
The Power of Grants
Our Sons of Norway community benefits from the access to grants offered by the Sons of Norway Foundation. These grants are an opportunity for lodges, members, districts and even others with Nordic interests to strengthen their communities in many ways.
Why apply?
- Support your lodge’s mission with meaningful programming
- Celebrate Nordic culture and heritage
- Make a lasting impact in your local community
In 2025, the Sons of Norway Foundation awarded over 80 grants worth $110,400. This translates to camperships for our youngest members, Crossings200 events on both sides of the ocean, maintenance for lodge buildings, cultural events and so much more.
The grant application season is from October 1 – December 15, 2025 (please note new deadline this year). Grants are awarded in late spring after review by a panel of Sons of Norway members.
You’re invited to learn more about our grants programs on the website, through the Foundation’s Board of Governors, the District Foundation Directors, or the Foundation office. The application requires several components, so don’t delay! Please see the Q&A section below for frequently asked questions.
Applications for our Helping Hands to Member grants are open year-round.
Please note, grant applications are due on December 15, 2025, a slightly earlier deadline than previous years.
Grant Overview
Click here to view full list of grants available through the Sons of Norway Foundation.
Heritage and Culture Fund
Community Partnership Grant
Lodge Heritage and Culture Grant
Lodge Vitality Grant
Humanitarian Fund
Helping Hands to Children Grant
Helping Hands to Members – Disaster Relief Grants
Helping Hands to Members – Medical Relief Grants
Q&A Section
How do I apply for a Sons of Norway grant?
Look for the “Click here to apply for Grants” button at the top of this page.
Can I submit a hard copy application?
The application process is 100% online from the Foundation’s Grants page. Once you click the apply button, you’ll land on the host page where you can either sign in as an existing user or create a new user account. There are tutorials posted on that page if you need instructions.
Who should submit the grant application?
Usually it is the project manager, a lodge leader or in the case of the Community Partnership grant, a representative of the organization requesting the funds.
What do I need to have ready to complete the application?
Please have a budget prepared for the budget section. Also, have handy the email address for any letter of recommendation writers.
What are some good grant ideas?
Great question! In cooperation with your lodge’s leaders, you may want to review the list of grants awarded last year for some ideas to get you started brainstorming.
View the 2025 grant winners by clicking here.
When are results announced?
Notices go out to the email listed on the application. Decisions are made in the Spring and checks are mailed late Spring (approximately late May).
How are funds delivered if our application is awarded?
Grants in the US are issued as a check. Grants outside of the US are issued as wire transfers. Typically, lodge treasurers receive the funds, if that applies to your application.
Tips:
- Be sure to save your username and password, as you’ll use it throughout the process.
- You may want to have the following items in hand before you begin your application: project budget and contact information for your Letter(s) of Recommendation letter writer(s). The application will save should you need to come back to complete your work at a later time.
- Assuming you have the above items, it may take you about an hour to fill out the application.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions or for more information.