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John T. Vucurevich Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.5M
Grant Range
$25K - $1.9M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,000,000 - $9,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies (several months typical)
  • Grant Range: Under $100,000 typical (larger grants to $1,875,000 for strategic priorities)
  • Geographic Focus: Rapid City, SD area with select neighboring communities

Contact Details

Address: 2800 Jackson Boulevard, Suite 410, Rapid City, SD 57702

Phone: (605) 343-3141

Fax: (605) 343-5264

Website: https://jtvf.org

Pre-Application Contact: Organizations are encouraged to review the FAQ section and submit a Letter of Inquiry through the foundation's online grants management system. For questions, contact staff at (605) 343-3141.

Overview

Established in 1986 and awarding its first grant in 1989, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation (JTVF) honors its founder, a Yugoslav immigrant who became a successful banker and real estate developer committed to helping "those who were less fortunate." The foundation became fully funded in 2007 following John's death in 2005, and has since distributed more than $100 million in grants. With approximately $8-9 million in annual giving and a team of five full-time staff, JTVF focuses on supporting low-income families in the Rapid City area through strategic investments in affordable housing, early learning, economic mobility, and basic needs. The foundation operates from an endowment and emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and engagement with community partners. In 2024, JTVF awarded $9.01 million to 40 organizations, demonstrating its commitment to helping working families and children reach their full potential.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Affordable Housing ($1,280,000 in 2024)

  • Housing development and retention projects for families earning 60-80% of Area Median Income
  • Housing vouchers for families at 60% AMI or below enrolled in existing JTVF programs
  • Recent awards: $1,000,000 to Rapid City Housing Trust Fund, $600,000 to West River Mental Health rental assistance voucher program

Early Learning ($2,851,000 in 2024)

  • Stabilizing existing high-quality providers through funding for family access and staff retention
  • Expanding access to quality programs for low-income families
  • Innovative solutions through the JTVF Child Care Innovation Fund
  • Recent awards: $1,875,000 to Early Childhood Connections Starting Strong (two years), $765,000 to YMCA Jump Start childcare program

Economic Mobility ($1,356,000 in 2024)

  • Programs providing intensive mentorship and supportive relationships for working families
  • Scholarships distributed through Black Hills State University, Oglala Lakota College, South Dakota State University, and Western Dakota Tech
  • Support for workplace advancement through skills, certifications, or degrees

Basic Needs ($2,530,370 in 2024)

  • Food security
  • Physical and behavioral health
  • Safety (including homelessness prevention)
  • Social belonging and culture
  • Transportation
  • Grants under $100,000 decided by staff; over $100,000 decided by board

Priority Areas

The foundation specifically seeks to fund:

  • Organizations serving low-income individuals and families in the Rapid City area
  • Programs addressing systemic barriers to economic stability
  • Collaborative initiatives with strong community partnerships
  • Projects demonstrating measurable community impact
  • Organizations with at least 5 years of operational history (typically)
  • Programs that simultaneously address children's and adults' needs

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals
  • School-affiliated trips
  • Museums
  • Animal-related projects
  • Political campaign activities
  • Direct religious activities
  • International requests
  • Organizations less than 5 years old (typically)

Governance and Leadership

Board Members

  • Whitney Rencountre II - CEO of Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation
  • David Emery - Retired CEO of Black Hills Energy
  • Sandy Diegel - Former JTVF CEO (2007-2019)
  • Claudia Vucurevich - Disability advocate and former elementary educator, daughter-in-law of founder
  • Liz Hamburg - Former CEO of Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Staff

  • Jacqui Dietrich, President and CEO - Fifth-generation West River South Dakotan with MBA from University of Colorado at Boulder; focuses on investment strategy and economic mobility; assumed role in December 2024
  • Jessica Olson, Grants Director - Social work background; joined 2018; manages grantee relations
  • Shelly Adams, Grants Manager - Longest-serving staff member since 2008; handles grant processing
  • Crystal Ortbahn, Communications Director - Augustana University graduate; previously with South Dakota Community Foundation
  • Lee Strubinger, Research & Reporting Director - Former South Dakota Public Broadcasting reporter; two-time Edward R. Murrow award winner

Leadership Perspective

Jacqui Dietrich, CEO: "Hope is our compass, and our bias for action is our fuel." Dietrich emphasizes the foundation's commitment to organizations "working to change the lives of children and families" and values "collaboration, feedback, introductions, and invitations to learn."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Review Eligibility

  • Confirm 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Verify organization serves low-income families in Rapid City area (or select neighboring communities with longstanding JTVF partnerships)
  • Check that request aligns with one of four funding priorities
  • Confirm organization has not submitted a request within the past 12 months

Step 2: Online Letter of Inquiry

  • Submit through the foundation's grants management software (not email or mail)
  • Introduces your organization and project concept
  • Not a traditional letter format

Step 3: Invitation to Full Application

  • Foundation reviews all inquiries (can take several months)
  • Selected organizations invited to submit full grant application
  • Staff provides guidance throughout application process
  • Foundation helps organizations "put their best foot forward"

Step 4: Grant Reporting

  • Required for all awards
  • Expectations vary based on grant size and nature
  • Future requests dependent on approved reports

Decision Timeline

Timeline: Varies significantly - "for some grants the process takes a few months, for others, longer." The foundation accepts applications year-round without specific deadlines. If found eligible and a good fit, staff sets an application timeline specific to that organization.

Decision Structure:

  • Grants under $100,000 for basic needs: Staff decision
  • Grants over $100,000 or in affordable housing, early learning, economic mobility: Board decision

Notification: Staff commits to being "as transparent as possible" during the application process.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the foundation awarded grants to 40 organizations totaling $9.01 million. Historical data shows 78 awards in 2013 and 82 awards in 2012, suggesting selective grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations are limited to 1 unsolicited grant request per 12 months. The foundation has indicated organizations can reapply if previously denied, though specific waiting periods or restrictions beyond the 12-month limit are not publicly documented.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities and recent grantmaking patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

Strategic Alignment with Two-Generation Approach The foundation explicitly seeks programs that "simultaneously address children's and adults' needs," supporting families "one family at a time" rather than isolated interventions. Recent awards like the Starting Strong childcare program ($1,875,000) and West River Mental Health rental assistance ($600,000) demonstrate this integrated approach.

Strong Community Partnerships JTVF values collaboration highly. Their values include being "Collaborative" and "Engaged," and CEO Jacqui Dietrich emphasizes openness to "collaboration, feedback, introductions, and invitations to learn." Applications should demonstrate existing partnerships and community connections.

Focus on Systems Change, Not Just Services The foundation's economic mobility and affordable housing priorities target "supportive relationships and structures" and "infrastructure" solutions. They fund child care provider stabilization and housing trust funds - initiatives that strengthen systems rather than only providing direct services.

Evidence of Community Need Applications must "demonstrate community need" according to their guidelines. Successful applicants likely provide data specific to the Rapid City area showing the gap they're addressing.

Multi-Year Sustainability Thinking Many major grants are structured as two-year awards (e.g., Early Childhood Connections $1,875,000 for two years, Volunteers of America $300,000 for two years), suggesting the foundation values longer-term planning and sustainability.

Specific Target Population: 60-80% AMI The foundation is explicit about income targeting, particularly in affordable housing (60-80% of Area Median Income) and economic mobility (60% AMI or below). Successful applications clearly define their low-income target population.

Innovation Within Priority Areas The foundation operates a "JTVF Child Care Innovation Fund" and describes being "opportunistic in funding projects as they emerge," suggesting they value creative approaches to persistent problems within their four priority areas.

Operational Maturity The foundation typically does not fund organizations less than 5 years old, indicating a preference for established organizations with track records.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Target the right income bracket: Be specific about serving families at 60-80% AMI (affordable housing) or 60% AMI and below (other programs), not just "low-income"

  • Think two-generation: The strongest applications address both children's and adults' needs simultaneously - don't propose programs serving only one or the other

  • Emphasize collaboration over independence: JTVF values being "Collaborative" and "Engaged" - demonstrate your partnerships and willingness to work with other community organizations

  • Be patient with the timeline: The foundation explicitly states timelines vary from "a few months" to "longer" and there are no deadlines - don't expect quick decisions

  • Understand the decision structure: If requesting over $100,000 or funding in affordable housing, early learning, or economic mobility, your application will go to the board, not staff, which may extend timelines

  • Leverage the invitation-only full application: The Letter of Inquiry is a screening tool - selected organizations get personal guidance from staff during the full application phase

  • Focus on systems and infrastructure: Recent major grants support housing trust funds, child care provider stability, and workforce development infrastructure rather than only direct services

  • One chance per year: With the 12-month limit on applications, make your submission count - consider calling (605) 343-3141 for guidance before applying

References

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