Our Beliefs

Mission Statement

The Dakota Foundation, through the annual distribution of charitable dollars, solves social problems and assists individuals in achieving greater self-sufficiency. We accomplish our program goals primarily through program-related investments (PRIs). Holding to a belief in providing people the tools they need to help themselves, we favor those small entrepreneurial organizations that promote social change with new and creative ideas, and with disciplined financial thinking.

We believe that:

1. As a small foundation, we probably can do little to solve national problems, but we can make significant contributions to societal improvements in North Dakota and New Mexico.
2. Nonprofit organizations can benefit from the application of business discipline, business approaches, and a focus on customer service. Program-related investments are an effective means of achieving this discipline. We invest in people and programs rather than simply make grants.
3. The best investments for us are in people: to equip them to advance economically, to achieve their full, human potential, and to provide for themselves and their families.
4. In almost all cases, optimal decisions about individual welfare can be made by the individual himself. Individuals, families, and small businesses are better equipped to make decisions about their resource allocation than government or other large bureaucracies. Therefore, we aim to channel resources ultimately to individuals and small organizations.
5. Expanding access to high-quality education is fundamental to the continuance of the American democracy and our technological creativity.
6. The encouragement of entrepreneurship is the best regional economic development policy.
7. Other things being equal, competition improves resource allocation and service delivery.
8. Integrity, honesty and open interaction are fundamental to building the trust necessary to accomplish positive social change.
9. Environmental sustainability and minimal detrimental environmental impact are important considerations for us in any activity we undertake.
10. Those who have received from society have an obligation to give back to it.