South Dakota Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $40 million (2024)
Total Assets: $886 million
Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
Decision Time: Approximately 90 days after full application submission
Grant Range: $2,000 - $250,000 (depending on program)
Geographic Focus: Statewide (all 66 South Dakota counties)

Contact Details

Main Office:

Address: 2310 Patron Parkway, PO Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 224-1025 or toll-free (800) 888-1842
Email: info@sdcommunityfoundation.org
Website: https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org
Fax: (605) 224-5364

Grant Program Contacts:

Ginger Niemann, Senior Program Officer (South Dakota Fund, Beyond Idea Grants, Bush Prize programs)
Stephanie Harmon, Program Assistant

Overview

Founded in 1987, the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) has grown to become one of the top-performing community foundations in the United States, managing over $886 million in assets across more than 1,200 endowed funds. In 2024 alone, the foundation granted over $40 million to support charitable causes throughout South Dakota, making it a major philanthropic force in the state. The foundation's mission is to "help people invest in the future of our state," as President & CEO Stephanie Judson describes it. SDCF serves all 66 South Dakota counties and has established partnerships with organizations like the Bush Foundation to expand funding opportunities for nonprofits. In 2026, the foundation is launching three new strategic initiatives focusing on Child Wellbeing, Housing, and Workforce Development, reflecting its commitment to addressing critical state needs. In November 2024, SDCF was recognized among the top-performing community foundations in the U.S., demonstrating its exceptional impact and effective stewardship of charitable resources.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

South Dakota Fund Grants

Amount: $2,000 - $20,000 (with limited exceptions; grants requesting more than half the total project cost receive lower priority)
Process: Rolling applications through GOapply online portal; begins with Letter of Inquiry
Focus Areas (Traditional): Culture, Economic Development, Education, Financial Literacy, Health, Human Services
New 2026 Initiatives: Three strategic priorities launched
- Child Wellbeing: Planning/development grants up to $50,000; implementation grants up to $100,000
- Housing: Planning/development grants up to $50,000; implementation grants up to $100,000
- Workforce Development: Planning/development grants up to $50,000; implementation grants up to $100,000

Beyond Idea Grants (BIG)

Amount: $5,000 - $100,000 per year
Total Program: $1.2 million awarded annually for 6 years (in partnership with Bush Foundation)
Process: Single annual application round, typically opening June 1
Focus: Community-driven projects addressing regional challenges; supports developing initiatives (up to $50,000 annually) and testing/spreading ideas (up to $100,000 annually)
Requirements: No matching funds required

Bush Prize: South Dakota

Amount: $250,000 per organization (two organizations selected annually)
Eligibility: Organizations must not have received the Bush Prize within the last 10 years
Process: Application through GOapply; includes site visits and reference reviews for finalists
Focus: Honors organizations demonstrating transformational impact and creative community problem solving with 3-5 years of innovative approaches

Nonprofit Savings Accounts

Amount: Up to $20,000 matching grant
Structure: 1:4 match ($1 from SDCF for every $4 raised by organization)
Requirement: Organizations must raise $80,000 over two years to obligate the entire match

Local Community Savings Account (CSA) Grants

Variable amounts determined by individual local advisory committees
Each local foundation (serving specific counties/communities) has its own application process and deadlines

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate:

Community-based approach: Meaningful investment and engagement in South Dakota communities with demonstrated community support
Thoughtful planning: Inclusive project plans with clear implementation strategies
Organizational capacity: Demonstrated ability to execute the work effectively or a plan to build needed capacity
Community volunteer involvement: Projects with paid staff that also incorporate significant, continuous community volunteer support
Innovation and sustainability: Both well-established ongoing projects and innovative approaches to address South Dakota community needs

What They Don't Fund

The SDCF does not make grants for:

Political campaigns
Discriminatory practices
Personal gain
Building, remodeling, and capital bricks-and-mortar projects (funded on a limited basis with low priority)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Officers:

Scott Jones, Chair
Dennis Daugaard, Vice Chair
Shawn Rost, Treasurer

Board Members: Mark Buche, Marci Christensen-Burdick, Matt Cronin, Linda Erickson, Carla Gatzke, Marilyn Grossenburg, Jack Kucera (Lead - business leader, philanthropist, 1978 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate with MBA from Arizona State), Cynthia Mickelson, DeMaris Nesheim, Susan Overgaard (Centerville - 20 years at First Midwest Bank, deeply involved with Centerville Area Foundation), Casey Peterson, Donald L. Roby, Greg Sands, Hani Shafai, Preston Steele (Huron - Chairman/President of Leackco Bank Holding Company and Executive Chairman of American Bank & Trust), Bob Sutton

Senior Leadership

Stephanie Judson, President & CEO, CFP®, CGPA

Joined SDCF in 1997; became President in 2013
Oversees strategic vision, donor relations, and grant program development
Quote: "Our mission has always been to help people invest in the future of our state, and this report demonstrates the collective power of that commitment." She particularly enjoys "connecting with people who want to leave this state better than they found it and who are committed to giving back to the places they've called home."

Clay Cudmore, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, CPA, CMA

Joined 2011; manages financial and investment activities; ensures tax and legal compliance

Jeff Veltkamp, Director of Development, MBA, CFRE, CGPA

Based in Sioux Falls; passionate about "translating donors' charitable visions into tangible realities"

Ginger Niemann, Senior Program Officer

With the foundation since 1998; oversees grant administration for South Dakota Fund, Beyond Idea Grants, and Bush Prize programs

Beth Massa, Director for Foundation Relations, CFRE

Joined 2015; based in Rapid City; serves western South Dakota stakeholders

Other Key Staff:

Patrick Gallagher, Community Development Coordinator (northeast region, joined March 2020)
Jamie Farmen, Community Development Coordinator & Marketing Manager (since 2017)
Ashley Hobbs, advancing asset development strategies in southeast South Dakota (based in Mitchell, joined 2025)
Jacey Iedema, provides administrative and data management support to Executive Team (joined 2025)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

South Dakota Fund Grants:

Pre-Application Research: Review sample application (PDF available on website) and gather information about project need, organizational capacity, budget details, and community support
Letter of Inquiry: Submit initial Letter of Inquiry through GOapply online portal at https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org
Staff Response: SDCF staff responds within approximately 15 business days
Full Application: If invited, complete full application through GOapply portal
Eligibility: Must be a public nonprofit organization as defined by IRS Publication 78, or work with a verified fiscal sponsor

Beyond Idea Grants:

Single annual application round, typically opening June 1
Applications submitted through GOapply portal
Review grantmaking guidelines and eligibility criteria before applying
Download sample application and budget template before starting

Bush Prize: South Dakota:

Applications submitted through GOapply portal
Review information packet and FAQs before applying
Specific deadlines vary by year

Important Note: SDCF Grant Programs pause December 15 through January 12 annually. During this time, users cannot log in to GOapply to start, complete, or work on grant applications or evaluations.

Decision Timeline

South Dakota Fund Grants:

Approximately 90 days from full application submission to decision notification

Bush Prize: South Dakota:

July: Initial review; finalists notified
July-August: Site visits and reference reviews conducted
September: Winners announced to finalists
Late October/Early November: Public announcement

Beyond Idea Grants:

Funding decisions announced throughout the year following the annual application deadline

Success Rates

Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed by the foundation. However, in 2024, the foundation granted over $40 million across all programs and endowed funds, reflecting significant grantmaking capacity.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations with outstanding evaluation reports from previous grants will not be considered for new funding until the final evaluation report is received. The specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly detailed; applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication timing.

Application Success Factors

SDCF provides specific guidance on what makes applications competitive:

Demonstrate Community Investment and Engagement: The foundation looks for projects that show "meaningful investment and engagement in South Dakota communities." Key considerations include:

How the project is community-based
Demonstrated support in the community for the project
Evidence of stakeholder involvement in planning and implementation

Show Organizational Capacity: Applications should address whether the organization has the capacity to execute the work effectively or has a concrete plan to build the needed capacity. The foundation values:

Thoughtful, inclusive project plans
Realistic implementation timelines
Clear evidence of organizational readiness

Emphasize Community Volunteer Support: "Projects which have paid staff but involve significant and continuous community volunteer support to enhance their existing programs will be favorably considered." This demonstrates broad community buy-in and sustainability.

Be Strategic About Funding Requests:

Keep requests between $2,000-$20,000 for South Dakota Fund grants
Applications requesting more than half the total project cost receive lower priority
Budget should demonstrate leveraging of other resources

Address Both Innovation and Track Record: The foundation funds "both ongoing, well established projects as well as innovative projects designed to address South Dakota community needs." Applications should clearly articulate whether the project builds on proven success or represents a new approach to community challenges.

Recent Grant Examples (What They've Funded):

Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services: $10,000 for mental health services
Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program: $30,000 for community action initiatives
Beacon Center: $20,000 to address federal funding cuts
Building Our Families: $10,000 for BOOST Program providing emergency housing, supervised visitation, and trauma-informed case management
White River Grandstand Committee: $10,000 for rodeo arena sound system
Friends of the Museum W.H. Over Museum: $8,930 for cultural programming

Avoid These Pitfalls:

Do not apply for political campaigns, discriminatory practices, or personal gain
Capital/bricks-and-mortar projects receive low priority
Incomplete applications or missing evaluation reports from previous grants will delay or prevent consideration

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Start with the Letter of Inquiry: The two-stage application process (LOI followed by full application) allows SDCF to provide early feedback; use this to your advantage by clearly articulating community need and your organization's capacity in the initial inquiry.
Emphasize community engagement: SDCF consistently prioritizes projects with demonstrated community support and volunteer involvement. Show how the community is invested in your project beyond just being beneficiaries.
Multiple funding pathways available: With grant amounts ranging from $2,000 (South Dakota Fund minimum) to $250,000 (Bush Prize), organizations at different capacity levels can find appropriate funding opportunities. Match your request to your organizational readiness.
2026 strategic priorities offer new opportunities: The three new focus areas (Child Wellbeing, Housing, Workforce Development) come with higher grant amounts (up to $100,000 for implementation) and represent strategic priorities for the foundation.
Statewide reach matters: SDCF has funded organizations in all 66 South Dakota counties and takes pride in serving the entire state. Rural and underserved communities should not hesitate to apply.
Complete prior obligations first: Organizations with outstanding evaluation reports from previous grants cannot apply for new funding. Maintain good relationships by fulfilling reporting requirements promptly.
Use the GOapply platform efficiently: Familiarize yourself with the online portal and review sample applications before starting. The foundation provides templates and examples to guide applicants.

References

South Dakota Community Foundation - Grants Overview. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - South Dakota Fund Grants. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/south-dakota-fund-grant (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - Beyond Idea Grants. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/beyond-idea-grants (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - Bush Prize: South Dakota. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/bush-prize-south-dakota (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - Board of Directors & Staff. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/who-we-are/staff-and-board-of-directors (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - Contact Us. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/who-we-are/contact-us (Accessed December 2024)
South Dakota Community Foundation - 2024 Annual Report. https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/news-insights/sdcf-news/2024report (Accessed December 2024)
"South Dakota Community Foundation Announces New Grant Initiatives to Address Critical Needs in South Dakota." KXLG News, November 2024. https://www.mykxlg.com/news/state/south-dakota-community-foundation-announces-new-grant-initiatives-to-address-critical-needs-in-south-dakota/article_c45de350-ee71-45ce-b07b-a54d36ec8021.html
"South Dakota Community Foundation establishing new initiatives to support child wellbeing, housing and workforce development." DRGNews, November 24, 2025. https://drgnews.com/2025/11/24/south-dakota-community-foundation-establishing-new-initiatives-to-support-child-wellbeing-housing-and-workforce-development/
"South Dakota Community Foundation recognized among top-performing community foundations in U.S." DRGNews, November 8, 2025. https://drgnews.com/2025/11/08/south-dakota-community-foundation-recognized-among-top-performing-u-s-community-foundations/
South Dakota Community Foundation - GuideStar Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/46-0398115 (Accessed December 2024)
Cause IQ - South Dakota Community Foundation Organization Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/south-dakota-community-foundation,460398115/ (Accessed December 2024)