[South Dakota Community Foundation](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org)

Rolling (LOIs and applications accepted year-round; program pauses Dec 15, 2025–Jan 12, 2026)

Typical awards: $2,000–$20,000; requests outside this range rarely considered (exceptions possible).

Unrestricted grants supporting South Dakota nonprofits in culture, education, health, economic development, and new 2026 initiatives.

--- ## Description The South Dakota Fund Grants, administered by the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), provide unrestricted funding to support nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout South Dakota. Grants are awarded for a broad range of focus areas including culture, economic development, education, financial literacy, health, and human services. Beginning in 2026, new initiatives in child wellbeing, housing, and workforce development will also be emphasized. The program encourages innovation, volunteerism, and collaborative projects, aiming to address both ongoing and emerging community needs across the state. Funding decisions are made by the SDCF Board of Directors, based on recommendations from the Grantmaking Committee and staff, with an emphasis on statewide impact. --- ## Due Dates - Letters of Inquiry (LOI) and applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. - The grant portal will be paused from December 15, 2025, to January 12, 2026; no applications or evaluations can be submitted during this time. --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant requests should be between $2,000 and $20,000. - Requests outside this range are rarely considered, but exceptions may be made. - SDCF generally will not fund equipment purchases over $10,000 or cover more than half of a project's total cost. - Matching funds are encouraged, and challenge grants may be required for some projects. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be public, nonprofit organizations as defined by IRS Publication 78. - Fiscal sponsorship is permitted: organizations with a verified fiscal sponsor may apply. - Grants are not made to support political campaigns, discriminatory practices, personal gain, or for operating expenses of governmental entities. - Projects with significant community volunteer involvement and collaborative proposals are favored. - Organizations may only submit one application per 12-month period (exceptions for collaborative projects). - All applicants must be IRS-verified and may not reapply until a final evaluation report for a previous grant is submitted. --- ## Application Process - Review the [grantmaking guidelines](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/south-dakota-fund-grant) to confirm eligibility. - Download and review the [sample grant application (PDF)](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/SDF-Application.Web.pdf). - Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through the [GOapply portal](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/SDCFgrants). - SDCF staff will respond to LOIs within approximately 15 business days. - If invited, complete and submit the full application via GOapply. - Applicants are notified of funding decisions within approximately 90 days of submission. - A due diligence form and a final evaluation report are required for funded projects. --- ## Additional Information - SDCF does not fund loans or provide support for discriminatory activities. - Capital improvement projects and equipment purchases are funded on a limited basis and generally receive low priority. - The Foundation may require challenge or matching grants to encourage local involvement. - Fiscal sponsors may apply multiple times per year for different applicants, but only once per year for any single applicant. - Financial literacy projects may exceed the usual $20,000 cap. --- ## External Links - [South Dakota Fund Grants Program Page](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/south-dakota-fund-grant) - [GOapply Application Portal](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/SDCFgrants) - [Sample Grant Application (PDF)](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/SDF-Application.Web.pdf) - [Grantmaking Guidelines](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/south-dakota-fund-grant) - [Past Recipients and SDCF News](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/news-insights/sdcf-news) - [GOapply User Guide (PDF)](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/GOapply-User-Experience-SDCF-Grants.01.27.25.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |---------------------|------------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------| | Ginger Niemann | Senior Program Officer | [gniemann@sdcommunityfoundation.org](mailto:gniemann@sdcommunityfoundation.org) | 605-224-1025 | | Stephanie Harmon | Program Assistant | [sharmon@sdcommunityfoundation.org](mailto:sharmon@sdcommunityfoundation.org) | 605-224-1025 | | General Inquiries | - | [info@SDCommunityFoundation.org](mailto:info@SDCommunityFoundation.org) | 605-224-1025 | | Contact Form | - | [Contact SDCF](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/who-we-are/contact-us) | |

South Dakota Fund Grants - South Dakota Community Foundation

Sign in to see full grant listing