South Dakota Community Foundation
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is a public charity and community foundation established in 1987, based in Pierre, South Dakota. The organization works to simplify philanthropy and help charitable donations create meaningful impact within South Dakota. SDCF manages over $940 million in assets across more than 1,300 endowed funds and provides grants and administrative support to nonprofit organizations throughout the state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$939.2M
+6.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$39.7M
+32.9% YoY
Grant Count
390
+10.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$102K
+20.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Purpose:
- Promoting philanthropy
- Receiving and administering charitable gifts
- Investing in a wide range of programs benefitting the people of South Dakota
Core Values:
- Philanthropy as a preferred choice in expressing commitment to a better South Dakota
- Integrity, clarity, and transparency in all operations
- Empowering donors to meet the needs of South Dakotans in their own unique way
- Strong local communities bonded through shared savings and investment
- Building long-term relationships focused on the strength and sustainability of South Dakota
Funding Areas: The foundation supports charitable organizations across the state in culture, economic development, education, financial literacy, health, human services, and community development.
Grantmaking
Typical awards range from $5,015 to $3,443,105.
Grant Range
s:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The South Dakota Community Foundation is the only community foundation in South Dakota with a statewide focus. The foundation funds throughout South Dakota, Washington, and North Dakota, with particular emphasis on local impact through community-based programs.
Regional Offices:
- Main office: Pierre, SD
- East River Office: Sioux Falls, SD
- West River Office: Rapid City, SD
- Northeast Office: Aberdeen, SD
- Mitchell Office: Mitchell, SD
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $939,178,015
- Total Revenue: $60,086,934
- Total Expenses: $45,227,892
- Total Liabilities: $71,300,000
Endowed Funds: Over 1,300 endowed funds managed by the foundation
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since March 1988
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $939,178,015 | $886,126,970 | $791,751,697 |
| Revenue | $60,086,934 | $69,242,401 | $102,741,823 |
| Expenses | $45,227,892 | $34,855,537 | $32,988,813 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $30,988,804 | $27,498,443 | $17,109,576 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
69 open opportunities from South Dakota Community Foundation
4-H Club Foundation of Tripp County Grant
SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Alfred & Julia Bucher Education Trust Grant
SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Beyond Idea Grants
SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Children's Museum of South Dakota ($1,563,000), Boy Scouts of America ($581,502), Northern State University Foundation ($184,203).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| National American University Rapid City, SD | Education | $94,700 |
| Lead Library Endowment Inc Lead, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $5,900 |
| South Dakota Tractor Museum Kimball, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $12,000 |
| LaSalle Academy Providence, RI | Education | $10,818 |
| Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation Inc Carmel, IN | Education | $30,000 |
| Crooks Community Child Care Center Crooks, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $10,000 |
| Redfield School Foundation Redfield, SD | Education | $9,605 |
| Webster 20 20 Inc Webster, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $55,000 |
| Day County Arts Council Webster, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $14,970 |
| Northern Star Council Boy Scouts of America Fort Snelling, MN | Youth Activities | $25,674 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation maintains a staff of 20 employees across multiple regional offices, with regional representatives identified for specific areas of the state.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephanie Judson | President | 55 | $417,601 |
| Clayton Cudmore | Chief Financial & Administrative Officer | 55 | $270,489 |
| Ginger Niemann | Senior Program Officer | 55 | $124,838 |
| Beth Massa | Director of Foundation Relations | 55 | $126,045 |
| Elli Haerter | Scholarship Coordinator | 55 | $104,201 |
| Cassie Stoeser | Controller | 55 | $107,630 |
| Scott Jones | Chair | 1 | — |
| Dennis Daugaard | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Karl Adam | Director | 1 | — |
| Mark Buche | Director | 1 | — |
| Marci Christensen-Burdick | Director | 1 | — |
| Dennis Batteen | Director | 1 | — |
| Matt Cronin | Director | 1 | — |
| Linda Erickson | Director | 1 | — |
| Carla Gatzke | Director | 1 | — |
| Marilyn Grossenburg | Director | 1 | — |
| Marilyn Hoyt | Director | 1 | — |
| Cynthia Mickelson | Director | 1 | — |
| DeMaris Nesheim | Director | 1 | — |
| Casey Peterson | Director | 1 | — |
| Donald Roby | Director | 1 | — |
| Shawn Rost | Director | 1 | — |
| Greg Sands | Director | 1 | — |
| Hani Shafai | Director | 1 | — |
| Doug Sharp | Director | 1 | — |
| Bob Sutton | Director | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The South Dakota Community Foundation has demonstrated active grantmaking and program development:
Local nonprofits receive $921,000\u2026 | South Dakota Community FoundationIn 2025, announced new emergency support for nonprofits affected by federal budget cuts, offering up to $50,000 in grants through the Central South Dakota Fund Grants program
Local nonprofits receive $921,000\u2026 | South Dakota Community FoundationContinues to expand scholarship offerings, having awarded over 1,000 scholarships to South Dakota students in recent years
Local nonprofits receive $921,000\u2026 | South Dakota Community FoundationOperates community savings accounts in over 75 communities across the state
Maintains active grant programs including Beyond Idea Grants and community-specific funding initiatives
Beyond Idea Grants | South Dakota Community FoundationThe foundation received $4,459,125 in grants from external funders between 2006 and 2023, including support for endowment building, COVID-19 response efforts, and Day of Giving initiatives.
Beyond Idea Grants | South Dakota Community FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does South Dakota Community Foundation fund?
**Purpose:** • Promoting philanthropy • Receiving and administering charitable gifts • Investing in a wide range of programs benefitting the people of South Dakota **Core Values:** • Philanthropy as a preferred choice in expressing commitment to a better South Dakota • Integrity, clarity, and transparency in all operations • Empowering donors to meet the needs of South Dakotans in their own unique way • Strong local communities bonded through shared savings and investment • Building long-term r…
How do I apply for a grant from South Dakota Community Foundation?
**Grant Sizes:** Typical awards range from $5,015 to $3,443,105. **Grant Programs:** The foundation operates multiple competitive grant programs that accept letters of intent or full applications: • **Central South Dakota Fund Grants** — The foundation's primary discretionary funding program. In 2025, the foundation announced new support for nonprofits affected by federal budget cuts, offering up to $50,000 in support through this program. • **Beyond Idea Grants** — A competitive grant program …
Where does South Dakota Community Foundation make grants?
The South Dakota Community Foundation is the only community foundation in South Dakota with a statewide focus. The foundation funds throughout South Dakota, Washington, and North Dakota, with particular emphasis on local impact through community-based programs. **Regional Offices:** • Main office: Pierre, SD • East River Office: Sioux Falls, SD • West River Office: Rapid City, SD • Northeast Office: Aberdeen, SD • Mitchell Office: Mitchell, SD
What size grants does South Dakota Community Foundation award?
In 2024, South Dakota Community Foundation awarded 390 grants totaling $39.7M — an average of about $102K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is South Dakota Community Foundation's EIN?
South Dakota Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0398115. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in South Dakota Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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