Impact & History
North Dakota has always been a place where neighbors show up for each other. Serve ND exists to make that spirit official.
Serve ND is the state's central hub for national service, connecting individuals who want to make a difference with the communities and organizations that need them most. We're housed within the North Dakota Department of Commerce, and we've been working steadily for years to strengthen communities across our state, one volunteer at a time.
Serve ND leads the charge in our state to serve communities in need, providing resources such as funding to eligible North Dakota organizations and agencies committed to providing service. That funding helps programs recruit, train, and support AmeriCorps members doing meaningful, on-the-ground work in education, health, community development, and more.
The impact adds up.
Across North Dakota, volunteers have tutored struggling readers, mentored kids through their summers, strengthened nonprofits, and helped rural communities build something lasting. More than $2.7 million in federal funding has supported community solutions in North Dakota, and behind every dollar is a person who showed up, rolled up their sleeves, and made an impact.
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| ![]() The Knowledge That You Made a Difference This one's harder to put on a résumé, but it might be the most valuable of all. When your service is done, you'll know that a child learned to read, a nonprofit grew, a community got stronger, a kid had a better summer because you were there. That stays with you. |

Find Your Place to Serve
Every program is different. Every one of them matters. Here's a look at where you could make a difference.
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Get In Touch With Us
We'd love to hear from you.
Whether you have questions, want to learn more about a specific program, or you're just not sure where to start, please reach out. We're here whenever you're ready.
CONTACT:
Ryan Volk, Senior Program Officer, email: rdvolk@nd.gov; phone: 701-328-6048.
OFFICE:
North Dakota Department of Commerce
Workforce Development Division
P.O. Box 2057
Bismarck, ND 58502-2057
Members and Committees
Commissioner Orientation Handbook
| Member | |
|---|---|
| North Dakota State Commission on National and Community Service | |
| Dana Hager | dhager@clearwatercommunications.net |
| Thea Jorgensen | thea@theawardfitness.com |
| Tim Mathern | tmathern@nd.gov |
| David Monson | dmonson@ndlegis.gov |
| Wayde Sick | wasick@nd.gov |
| Josef Kolosky | jkolosky@nd.gov |
| Alicia Bata | aliciab@polarcomm.com |
| Loren Balkowitsch | Loren_balkowitsch@gmail.com |
| Lacey Hinkle | |
| Nancy Nikolas Maier | nmaier@nd.gov |
| Marisa Pacella | Marisa.pacella@yahoo.com |
| Kerri Whipple | kerri.whipple@k12.nd.us |
| Erin Belgarde | Erin.belgarde@tmbci.org |
| Becky Telin | btelin@lssnd.org |
| Gretchen Deeg | Gretchen@uccbismarck.org |
| Ex Officio Members | |
| Janna Pastir | jalpastir@nd.gov |
| Debbie Richardson | drichardson@cns.gov |
A Living Allowance Service is a commitment, and we want to make sure it's one you can sustain. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance throughout their service term to help cover the basics while you focus on the work that matters.
An Education Award Complete your service term and you'll earn an Education Award; money you can put toward tuition, student loans, or other approved educational expenses. It's our way of investing in your future the way you've invested in your community.
Real-World Skills No matter which program you serve with, you'll come away with hands-on experience, professional skills, and a depth of knowledge that carries into any career path. Service has a way of teaching you things a classroom never could.
A Community That Lasts The relationships you build during your service term; with the people you serve, the colleagues you work alongside, and the communities you're part of, have a way of sticking around long after your term ends. You'll leave with a network and a sense of belonging that's hard to find anywhere else.