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Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$38.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $38 million (FY 2023-24)
  • Total Assets: $364 million
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (average ~$10,000)
  • Small Grants: Under $2,500 accepted year-round
  • Decision Time: 6-8 weeks after receipt
  • Geographic Focus: Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and McCook counties, plus communities within 25 miles of Sioux Falls, SD

Contact Details

Address: The Depot at Cherapa Place, 200 N Cherapa Pl, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Phone: (605) 336-7055

Email: info@sfacf.org

Website: www.sfacf.org

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Grant Program Contact: Patrick Gale, Vice President of Community Investment

Overview

Founded in 1984, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation (SFACF) is one of South Dakota's leading philanthropic organizations with total charitable assets exceeding $364 million. The Foundation has distributed over $350 million in grants since its inception, with a record $38 million awarded in fiscal year 2023-24 alone. The Foundation's mission is to provide "trusted leadership that inspires philanthropy and enriches the quality of life in our area, for good, for ever" through partnerships with donors. The organization maintains relationships with more than 200 local nonprofits and has demonstrated consistent growth, with grant awards increasing from 171 in 2015 to 266 in 2023. The Foundation earned a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator with a score of 97%. In 2024, SFACF received more than $92 million in new contributions, representing a record year for donor engagement and community impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Fund Grants (Primary Program)

  • Grant Range: Typically $1,000 - $50,000 (average ~$10,000)
  • Application Method: Rolling basis via letter of inquiry
  • Review Cycle: Grants Committee awards every two months
  • Focus: Transformational ideas, programs, or initiatives with potential for significant social impact and meaningful change

Small Grants Program

  • Grant Range: Under $2,500
  • Application Method: Accepted year-round on a rolling basis
  • Purpose: Quick response to smaller organizational needs

Excellence in Education Initiative Grants

  • Grant Range: Up to $1,500 per award
  • Recipients: Individual educators for curriculum enhancements and projects
  • Application Method: Annual application cycle (applications available December 15, due March 15)

Animal Welfare and Appreciation Fund Grants

  • Grant Range: Most grants $3,000 - $5,000
  • Focus: Animal welfare organizations and programs

Scholarship Program

  • Annual Distribution: More than $500,000
  • Number of Scholarships: 70+ scholarship funds
  • Recipients: Students pursuing post-secondary education

Priority Areas

The Foundation supports nonprofit organizations addressing community needs across multiple sectors:

  • Education: Financial literacy programs, curriculum enhancements, student experiences
  • Arts & Culture: Theatre, music, dance, cultural development, historic preservation, museums
  • Health & Human Services: Programs supporting vulnerable populations, civil legal aid, family services
  • Youth Development: Leadership training, refugee and immigrant youth services, after-school programs
  • Community Development: Capacity building, emergency financial assistance, studies informing community understanding

Recent funded projects demonstrate emphasis on:

  • Programs expanding access for underserved populations
  • Youth leadership and financial literacy initiatives
  • Services supporting refugee and immigrant families
  • LGBTQIA2S+ community support
  • Poverty awareness and education training

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated in available documentation, the Foundation prioritizes:

  • Organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Projects benefiting the Sioux Falls area (Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, McCook counties and communities within 25-mile radius)
  • Programs demonstrating potential for transformational community impact

Governance and Leadership

Leadership Team

Andy Patterson, President/CEO

  • Joined the Foundation in 2006, appointed President in 2015
  • Works to connect donors, nonprofits, and civic leaders to advance strategic community investments
  • Reflects on the Foundation's mission: "An organization guided by the inspiring generosity of its donors and the unending energy of a community that's inspired to build a brighter tomorrow. A place that's deeply motivated to work for the betterment of Sioux Falls, honored to work with donors to accomplish their philanthropic plans, and grateful for a community that's committed to solving problems and taking care of each other."
  • On the Foundation's impact: "This past year, we gave out more than $38 million in grants. And I mean 'we.' We couldn't do this without all of you who choose to make community giving important."

Patrick Gale, Vice President of Community Investment

  • Primary contact for grant program questions
  • Describes Sioux Falls as having "a strong nonprofit community"
  • Oversees grant review and distribution processes

Staff Team includes:

  • Philanthropic Advisors with expertise in donor relations and strategic giving
  • Community investment professionals supporting grant programs
  • Development staff with backgrounds in nonprofit leadership, healthcare, media, and higher education fundraising

Board of Directors

The Board consists of community leaders offering expertise in:

  • Community development
  • Charitable giving
  • Accounting
  • Law
  • Financial management

The Foundation also engages hundreds of volunteers across committees including audit, finance, grants, investment management, legal, special gifts and investments, scholarship selection panels, and a youth advisory council.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Community Fund Grants (Primary Process):

  1. Submit online letter of inquiry through the Foundation's portal at www.sfacf.org
  2. If approved for consideration, Foundation sends complete application form with specific deadline
  3. Submit full application with required documentation
  4. Grants Committee reviews and makes award decisions every two months

Small Grants (Under $2,500):

  • Submit requests at any time throughout the year
  • Faster review process for smaller amounts

Excellence in Education Initiative:

  • Applications available: December 15
  • Application deadline: March 15
  • For individual educators and classroom projects

Decision Timeline

  • Review Period: 6-8 weeks after receipt of complete application
  • Award Cycle: Grants Committee convenes every two months for Community Fund Grants
  • Notification: Applicants notified of decisions following committee meetings

Success Rates

While specific acceptance percentages are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation demonstrates significant grantmaking activity:

  • 2023: 266 grants awarded
  • 2022: 281 grants awarded
  • 2021: 229 grants awarded
  • Cumulative: Relationships with more than 200 local nonprofit organizations

The Foundation distributed nearly $70,000 across five organizations in November 2025 Community Fund grants, suggesting selective but meaningful award sizes.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact Patrick Gale at pgale@sfacf.org or (605) 336-7055 x20 for guidance on reapplication timing and considerations.

Application Success Factors

What the Foundation Values

Transformational Impact: The Foundation explicitly seeks "transformational ideas, programs or initiatives with the potential to drive significant social impact and/or spark meaningful change." Applications should clearly articulate how the project will create meaningful, lasting change rather than simply maintaining existing services.

Community Need Alignment: Successful projects address identified community needs. The Foundation emphasizes creating "a community where people and families feel safe and have equal access to the resources they need for their health and well-being."

Geographic Focus: Projects must clearly benefit residents of the Sioux Falls area—specifically Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and McCook counties, or communities within a 25-mile radius of Sioux Falls.

Recent Funded Projects (November 2025)

Understanding what the Foundation recently funded provides insight into priorities:

  • Black Hills Special Services Cooperative: Expansion of Poverty Escape Room training experience into Sioux Falls (experiential poverty awareness education)
  • East River Legal Services: Civil legal aid for vulnerable populations across 33 counties in family law, housing, public benefits, and consumer law
  • Junior Achievement of South Dakota: JA Biztown financial literacy curriculum and role-playing for 5th and 6th graders
  • Rainbow Chorus: "Our Voices Will Not Be Silenced" concert series serving LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies
  • Translators of Cultures: STARS (Student Training Achieving Roadmap to Success) youth leadership program for refugee and immigrant families (5th cohort)

Strategic Approach

President Andy Patterson emphasizes the Foundation's convening role: "We want to be more of a convener of the different parties that are trying to do great things for Sioux Falls." This suggests applications demonstrating collaboration or partnership potential may be viewed favorably.

The Foundation values programs that expand children's experiences and aspirations: "As kids, our imaginations and dreams for the future are shaped by our experiences. The more experiences we have, the bigger our dreams become. At the Foundation, we believe every child — no matter what zip code they live in — deserves the chance to dream big."

Application Components

Strong applications should include:

  • Clear problem statement: What community need does this address?
  • Program description: Specific activities and approaches for start-up programs, program expansion, capacity building, or emergency assistance
  • Impact metrics: How will you measure transformational change?
  • Budget: Detailed financial information showing how grant funds will be used
  • Organizational capacity: Evidence of 501(c)(3) status and ability to execute the program

Pre-Application Engagement

The letter of inquiry process serves as an initial screening. Organizations should use this opportunity to:

  • Clearly articulate the transformational nature of the proposed work
  • Demonstrate alignment with Foundation priorities
  • Show understanding of community needs in the Sioux Falls area
  • Contact Patrick Gale with questions before submitting to ensure alignment

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Think transformational, not incremental: The Foundation explicitly seeks projects with "potential to drive significant social impact and/or spark meaningful change"—frame your proposal around transformation rather than continuation
  • Start with a letter of inquiry: All Community Fund Grant applications begin with a letter of inquiry; use this to test alignment before investing time in a full application
  • Two-month review cycles provide regular opportunities: With the Grants Committee meeting every two months, there are multiple opportunities throughout the year to apply
  • Consider the small grants track: Requests under $2,500 can be submitted any time and may receive faster review—ideal for modest, time-sensitive needs
  • Geographic boundaries matter: Ensure your project clearly benefits Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, or McCook counties, or communities within 25 miles of Sioux Falls
  • Contact Patrick Gale early: The Vice President of Community Investment is available at pgale@sfacf.org or (605) 336-7055 x20 to discuss program fit before applying
  • Look at recent awards for guidance: The Foundation publicly shares grant recipients—study these to understand current priorities and successful project types

References

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