Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Black Hills Area Community Foundation is a public charity based in Rapid City, an individual recipient It manages charitable funds, makes grants and scholarships, and leads collaborative efforts addressing community issues in the Black Hills. The foundation’s website says it serves seven counties and manages $100 million in assets as of 2026.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Black Hills Area Community Foundation gave $5.7M across 120 grants in 2025 (avg $48K), mostly in South Dakota. 54% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,729,537
- +46.9% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 120
- +17.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $47,746
- +24.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $95,092,021
- +42.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 54% first-time grantees (65 of 120, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Black Hills Area Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
For the $20,000 Community Action Grant, eligible organizations apply through the foundation’s grant portal. For the $50,000 Community Action Grant, applicants submit a letter of inquiry; selected organizations are invited to submit a full application and participate in an interview.
- Review Cycle
- The Community Service Center Trust Fund Grant listing gives November 15, 2026. The animal welfare grant listing gives April 12, 2027.
- Deadline
- The Community Service Center Trust Fund Grant listing gives November 15, 2026.
- Next open deadline
- March 15, 2027 (BHACF Capacity Building Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: 243 Founders Park Drive 102, Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: (605) 718-0112
Website: https://bhacf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Black Hills Area Community Foundation
BHACF Capacity Building Grant
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Amount
$5,000
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
BHACF: Capacity Building Grant
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $10,000
Deadline
Expected ~March
Based on past cycles
BHACF: Community Action Grant ($20,000)
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Amount
US $20,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Black Hills Area Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bhacf Match to Agency ($1.2M). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($17,200), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
426 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 352 grants of 426 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says it serves Butte, Meade, Lawrence, Pennington, Custer, Oglala Lakota, and Fall River counties. The Community Action Grants require the supported organization or activity to be in those counties. The foundation’s 2025 filing data show that 90% of grant dollars went to an individual recipient recipients, 4% to Minnesota, and 2% to Nebraska.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 120 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Black Hills Area Community Foundation open to new grantees?
54%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 65 of 120 grantees (54%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $46K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.4M (2021) to $7.0M (2023). In 2025 it made 120 grants totaling $5.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bhacf Match to Agency Rapid City, SD | Matching Grant Funds | $1,182,199 |
| Oneheart Rapid City, SD | Social Services | $597,222 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of the Black Hills Hill City, SD | YOUTH | $325,000 |
| Feeding South Dakota Sioux Falls, SD | Basic Needs | $303,356 |
| LPL Financialbhsu-Center for American Indian Studies Departmental Needs Fu Rapid City, SD | Education | $220,000 |
| City of Belle Fourche Belle Fourche, SD | YOUTH | $145,589 |
| St Olaf College Northfield, MN | Education | $137,119 |
| SD School of Mines and Technology-Cara Rapid City, SD | Education | $116,800 |
| Youth & Family Services Inc Rapid City, SD | YOUTH | $113,542 |
| Remembering the Children Memorial Inc Rapid City, SD | Arts and Culture | $109,354 |
Ready to take the next step with Black Hills Area Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s website reports $100 million in assets as of 2026 and says it has invested more than $45 million in grants and scholarships since its establishment in 2006.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $95,092,021 | $25,934,630 | $9,035,532 | $5,729,537 | 120 | $4,008,072 |
| 2024 | $66,897,711 | $13,865,682 | $9,857,761 | $3,901,071 | 102 | $1,694,212 |
| 2023 | $56,009,000 | $7,342,365 | $7,308,625 | $7,049,993 | 75 | $1,941,023 |
| 2022 | $53,430,728 | $16,934,227 | $5,280,754 | $3,753,361 | 68 | $1,813,707 |
| 2021 | $46,752,001 | $12,495,187 | $3,514,227 | $2,360,213 | 61 | $-104,874 |
| 2020 | $30,518,251 | $5,931,973 | $4,960,475 | $2,667,761 | 68 | $743,869 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “Lead solutions, give with purpose, thrive together.” Its filing describes work with individual donors and organizations to manage endowed and spendable funds, provide competitive grants and scholarships, and lead nonprofit collaborations addressing systemic social issues. The filing also says it may serve as a short-term fiscal sponsor for a charitable project or new nonprofit organization.
Its 2026 grant opportunities include support for youth and families, social and human services, organizational capacity building, animal welfare, food services, and projects across funding areas. The foundation’s grant records also show support for education, basic needs, arts and culture, and youth.
Examples of supported organizations include OneHeart, whose stated mission is to help people overcome crisis and achieve self-sustainability, and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Black Hills, which says it helps young people reach their full potential. Friends of an individual recipient Public Broadcasting says it supports lifelong learning for South Dakotans; the an individual recipient Parks and Wildlife Foundation says its mission is to enhance outdoor recreation and preserve state parks and wildlife.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 120 grants totaling $5,729,537. Grant amounts ranged from $5,200 to $1,182,199, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest awards were $1,182,199 to BHACF Match to Agency for matching grant funds; $597,222 to OneHeart for social services; $325,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Black Hills for youth; $303,356 to an individual recipient for basic needs; and $220,000 to LPL Financial/BHSU Center for American Indian Studies Departmental Needs for education.
The foundation’s website lists a Youth Philanthropy Grant, a Capacity Building Grant, an animal welfare grant, Rapid City food-services grants, and Community Action Grants. The $50,000 Community Action Grant is for organizations with an agency endowment at the foundation. The website describes a process beginning with a letter of inquiry; the Grants Committee selects organizations to submit full applications, conducts interviews, and the board selects the recipient. The $20,000 Community Action Grant also requires an agency endowment, and applications are submitted through the foundation’s grant portal. Both Community Action Grant descriptions exclude, among other things, religious activity, political activity, debt retirement, capital campaigns, and multi-year project support.
As of October 2, 2026, the website’s listed 2026 application windows for the Community Action Grants and other spring or summer opportunities have passed. A separate program listing gives the Community Service Center Trust Fund Grant a November 15, 2026 deadline and an award range of $0–$2,000; it describes support for organizations serving low-income people in Rapid City, with an emphasis on Native American communities. The animal welfare grant listing gives a future deadline of April 12, 2027 and an award range of $0–$5,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Kelly Buntrock as chair, Terry Hermann as past chair, Mike Tennyson as vice chair, Steve Flanery as secretary, and Kassie McKie Shiffermiller as treasurer. It also lists Urla Marcus, RC Scull, Brad Benham, Joseph Lux, and Dr. Roger Knutsen as members.
The foundation’s website identifies Chris Huber as president and CEO, Barb Keene as director of operations, and Eric Zimmer as vice president of philanthropy and special projects.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation is led by Chris Huber, CEO on every filing since 2023; 2 of 17 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Chris Huber
CEO
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$133K (2024) → $153K (2025)
Kelly Buntrock
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2022
Treasurer → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Litton
Director of Strategic Housing
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Steve Flanery
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Lux
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kassie McKie Shiffermiller
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Hermann
Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
Chair → Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Tennyson
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Priscilla Romkema
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roger Knutsen
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Benham
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rc Scull
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Urla Marcus
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Justin Dibona
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marie High Bear
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rishard Wahlstrom
Member
Director → Member, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jd Williams
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (19)
- Former: Steve Helmers (2020–2024) — Past Chair
- Former: Elizabeth Zieglmeier (2023–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Willie Hustead (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: Elizabeth Hamburg (2020–2023) — Executive Di
- Former: Maegen Wallum (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Patrick Burchill (2020–2023) — Officer
- Former: Anita Silver (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ed Starr (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Jacque Fuller (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Laura Schad (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Margaret Prahl (2020–2022) — Past Chair
- Former: Sandra McFarland (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Frances Becker (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Jim Hess (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Marnie Herrmann (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Roger Wilson (2020–2021) — Past Chair
- Former: Everett Hoyt (2020) — Director
- Former: Haven Stuck (2020) — Director
- Former: Kay S. Jorgensen (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $153K, to Chris Huber (CEO). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Black Hills Area Community Foundation
How much does Black Hills Area Community Foundation give each year?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation gave $5.7M across 120 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $3.9M across 102 grants.
What is Black Hills Area Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $47,746, across 120 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Black Hills Area Community Foundation that year got $50K on average.
Where does Black Hills Area Community Foundation give grants?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation gives mostly in South Dakota: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rapid City, SD (58 grants), Sioux Falls, SD (10 grants), Spearfish, SD (7 grants) and Sturgis, SD (5 grants).
Does Black Hills Area Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 120 grants with a stated purpose on Black Hills Area Community Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Social Services" (29 grants), "Youth" (22 grants) and "Faith Based" (15 grants).
Who are Black Hills Area Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Bhacf Match to Agency ($1,182,199), Oneheart ($597,222) and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Black Hills ($325,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($17,200), which are not listed by name. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Black Hills Area Community Foundation?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation reported $95.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $25.9M.
What does Black Hills Area Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Lead solutions, give with purpose, thrive together.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Black Hills Area Community Foundation?
For the $20,000 Community Action Grant, eligible organizations apply through the foundation’s grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Black Hills Area Community Foundation's EIN?
Black Hills Area Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3608635. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 31, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 25, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Black Hills Area Community Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Black Hills Area Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
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Valley Queen Charitable Foundation
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Valley Queen Charitable Foundation supports community, educational, industry, and humanitarian initiatives, with most funding going to South Dakota and some to Minnesota. Its 2025 grants ranged from $100 to $107,750, with a median of $1,500. It accepts requests year-round; organizations can request an application by calling the foundation.
Assets
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First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
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Total Given
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More similar funders
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Black Hills Area Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/black-hills-area-community-foundation-morg_ed328045bd2f42719d523833a5b552b9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363608635_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Black Hills Area Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/black-hills-area-community-foundation-morg_ed328045bd2f42719d523833a5b552b9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Black Hills Area Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?