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

Rolling (LOIs and applications accepted year-round)

Typical awards: $2,000–$20,000; up to $50,000 possible for special needs

Flexible, unrestricted grants for South Dakota nonprofits supporting culture, education, health, human services, and more.

LOI required; preference for projects with community support and matching funds.

--- ## Description The South Dakota Fund, managed by the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), is an unrestricted grant program supporting nonprofit and charitable organizations across all 66 counties of South Dakota. The fund addresses a wide spectrum of needs, including culture, economic development, education, financial literacy, health, and human services. Grants are intended to strengthen communities, respond to emerging challenges, and support both established and innovative projects. Funding decisions are made by the SDCF Board of Directors throughout the year, offering flexibility and responsiveness to statewide needs. --- ## Due Dates - Letters of Inquiry (LOI) and full applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. - Applicants will typically receive a response to the LOI within approximately 15 business days. - If invited, full applications are reviewed with decisions generally communicated within 90 days of submission. --- ## Funding Amount - Typical grant requests considered: **$2,000–$20,000** - Grants up to **$50,000** may be awarded for special needs, such as addressing gaps from federal funding cuts. - Applications requesting less than $2,000 or more than $20,000 are generally not considered, except for financial literacy projects or special circumstances. - SDCF usually will not fund more than half of the total project cost and encourages matching funds from applicants. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be public, nonprofit organizations as defined by IRS Publication 78. - Organizations may also apply with a verified fiscal sponsor. - SDCF does **not** fund: - Political campaigns - Discriminatory practices - Personal gain - Operating expenses for governmental entities - Loans - Projects with strong community volunteer support, matching funds, and broad impact are favored. - Collaborative projects and seed grants are eligible, subject to guidelines. - Capital improvement projects are funded on a limited basis and receive low priority; transportation vehicles/equipment over $10,000 are typically not funded. - Repeat applications from the same organization are not allowed within a 12-month period, except for collaborative projects. --- ## Application Process 1. **Review Guidelines:** Read the grantmaking guidelines to confirm eligibility. 2. **Prepare Materials:** Download and review the [sample application (PDF)](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/SDF-Application.Web.pdf). 3. **Submit LOI:** Submit a Letter of Inquiry via [GOapply](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/SDCFgrants). 4. **Await Response:** Receive feedback within ~15 business days. If invited, submit a full application. 5. **Full Application:** Complete the full application in GOapply. Confirmation will be sent upon receipt. 6. **Review:** The SDCF Board and Grantmaking Committee review applications. Decisions are typically made within 90 days. 7. **Reporting:** Successful applicants must complete a due diligence form and submit a final evaluation report after project completion. For detailed application instructions, see the [GOapply User Guide](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/GOapply-User-Experience-SDCF-Grants.01.27.25.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - The SDCF encourages matching funds and may require challenge grants. - Fiscal sponsors may apply multiple times per year for different applicants, but only once per year for any single applicant. - All applicants must be verified by the IRS. - Projects requesting more than half of the total cost from SDCF receive lower priority. - Awarded grants cover all 66 South Dakota counties. - For financial literacy projects, requests over $20,000 are considered. --- ## External Links - [South Dakota Fund Grant Program Page](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/grants/south-dakota-fund-grant) - [GOapply Application Portal](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/SDCFgrants) - [Sample Application PDF](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/SDF-Application.Web.pdf) - [GOapply User Guide](https://d1bamnqez24jrj.cloudfront.net/general-uploads/GOapply-User-Experience-SDCF-Grants.01.27.25.pdf) - [Past Recipients & News](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/news-insights/sdcf-news) - [Grant Program Webinar Recording (Feb 2025)](https://youtu.be/yxtUp3NpJ_4) --- ## 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 | | SDCF Grants Team | General Inquiries | [info@SDCommunityFoundation.org](mailto:info@SDCommunityFoundation.org) | 605-224-1025 | More contacts: [SDCF Contact Page](https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/who-we-are/contact-us)

South Dakota Fund Grants - South Dakota Community Foundation

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