Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant
The Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant funds Rapid City nonprofits advancing culture, welfare, education, science, and support for underserved groups, especially women and girls.
Funder: Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Due Dates: July 31, 2026 (Full application submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5,000–$30,000 per grant; annual, invitation-only awards
Summary: Supports Rapid City nonprofits focused on community welfare, culture, education, beautification, and the underserved, especially women and girls.
Key Information: Application is by invitation only; only Rapid City-serving nonprofits are eligible.
Description
The Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant honors the legacy of Gwendolyn L. Stearns by supporting nonprofit organizations that serve the Rapid City, South Dakota community. Established in 2000 and now administered in partnership with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, the grant program provides annual, invitation-only awards to organizations that align with Gwendolyn Stearns’ charitable wishes. Funding priorities include improving cultural and social welfare, aesthetic beautification, supporting the underserved (particularly women and girls), and promoting education and science. Since its inception, the foundation has distributed over $9 million in grants to local nonprofits.
