South Dakota Community Foundation
The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is a public charity based in Pierre, South Dakota, with a statewide focus. Established in 1987, it receives and administers charitable gifts and permanent endowments, and provides grants and administrative support to nonprofit organizations.
Key facts about South Dakota Community Foundation
In short: South Dakota Community Foundation gave $39.7M across 390 grants in 2024 (avg $102K), mostly in South Dakota. 30% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 46-0398115
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $39,717,683
- Grants made (2024)
- 390
- Average grant
- $101,840
- Median grant
- $18,563
- New grantees (estimate)
- 30% first-time grantees (117 of 389, 2024)
- Total assets
- $939,178,015
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- For South Dakota Fund and Beyond Idea Grants, eligible public nonprofit organizations may apply, or work with a verified fiscal sponsor. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The Bush Prize: South Dakota cycle listed for April 1–30, 2026, has passed.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · 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
Is South Dakota Community Foundation open to new grantees?
30%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 117 of 389 grantees (30%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $37K; repeat grants $130K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $22K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
SDCF’s stated mission is to receive and administer charitable gifts and permanent endowments primarily for the benefit of South Dakotans, and to work with donors, charities, and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in the state.
Its South Dakota Fund supports nonprofit and charitable organizations in culture, economic development, education, financial literacy, health, and human services. Beginning in 2026, the fund also focuses on child well-being, housing, and workforce development. Other offerings include Beyond Idea Grants for community-based problem solving and Community Savings Accounts that support local charitable causes. SDCF also maintains more than 350 scholarship funds and works with donors to support higher education for South Dakota students.
Examples of grantees include Boys & Girls Club, whose stated mission is to help young people realize their potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens; Mitchell Technical College, which says it supports students’ technical-career skills through scholarships and updated equipment and tools; and Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center, whose stated mission is to assist victims of family violence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, SDCF reported 390 grants totaling $39,717,683. Grants ranged from $5,038 to $3,443,105, with a median of $18,562. The largest award was $3,443,105 to South Dakota State University for education. Other large grants included $2,043,919 to Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains for youth activities; $1,923,915 to South Dakota State University Foundation for education; and $1,841,150 to Southeast Technical College for education. A $1,000,000 grant went to Foothills Community Foundation in South Carolina for community welfare and betterment.
South Dakota Fund grants are awarded throughout the year by the SDCF Board. Beyond Idea Grants support innovative or established projects that develop, test, and spread ideas to benefit South Dakota communities; the program requires a program evaluation at the end of the grant term. For 2026, the website describes one application round, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per year. Community Savings Account grants use local application processes set by each community’s advisory committee.
Review Cycle
The Bush Prize: South Dakota cycle listed for April 1–30, 2026, has passed.
How to Apply
For South Dakota Fund and Beyond Idea Grants, eligible public nonprofit organizations may apply, or work with a verified fiscal sponsor. Applicants can review the applicable sample application and apply through the online grant portal. Local Community Savings Account applicants should contact their local advisory committee for its application and requirements. SDCF does not fund political campaigns, discriminatory practices, or personal gain. South Dakota Fund applicants should review its guidelines and sample application before applying; Beyond Idea applicants should also review the sample budget. All Beyond Idea grants must benefit South Dakota communities.
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
Deadline not published
Alfred & Julia Bucher Education Trust Grant
South Dakota Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Beyond Idea Grants
South Dakota Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with South Dakota Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SDCF describes itself as South Dakota’s only community foundation with a statewide focus. Its filing-year 2024 grants went primarily to South Dakota recipients: 91% of grant dollars went to South Dakota, with 3% to South Carolina, 2% to Texas, and 1% each to Florida and Wyoming. Community Savings Accounts support local charitable causes within South Dakota communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 390 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.2M (2020) to $39.7M (2024). In 2024 it made 390 grants totaling $39.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was South Dakota State University ($3.4M). Together the top 10 received $18.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($58,185), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,639 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,285 grants of 1,639 (78%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota State University Brookings, SD | Education | $3,443,105 |
| Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains Inc Brookings, SD | Youth Activities | $2,043,919 |
| South Dakota State University Foundation Brookings, SD | Education | $1,923,915 |
| Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls, SD | Education | $1,841,150 |
| Lake Area Technical College Watertown, SD | Education | $1,805,328 |
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | Education | $1,791,177 |
| Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD | Education | $1,611,211 |
| Children's Museum of South Dakota Brookings, SD | Youth Activities | $1,563,000 |
| Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City, SD | Education | $1,470,924 |
| Missouri Shores Domestic Violence Center Pierre, SD | Community welfare and betterment | $1,150,779 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $939,178,015 | $60,086,934 | $45,227,892 | $39,717,683 |
| 2023 | $886,126,970 | $69,242,401 | $34,855,537 | $29,895,786 |
| 2022 | $791,751,697 | $102,741,823 | $32,988,813 | $27,798,978 |
| 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 |
| Net Investment Income | $30,988,804 | $27,498,443 | $17,109,576 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stephanie Judson as President; Clayton Cudmore as Chief Financial & Administrative Officer; Jeff Veltkamp as Director of Development; Ginger Niemann as Senior Program Officer; Beth Massa as Director of Foundation Relations; Elli Haerter as Scholarship Coordinator; and Cassie Stoeser as Controller. It lists Scott Jones as Chair, Dennis Daugaard as Vice Chair, and Karl Adam as Director.
South Dakota Community Foundation is led by Stephanie Judson, President on every filing since 2020; 7 of 27 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stephanie Judson
President
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$262K (2020) → $418K (2024)
Scott Jones
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Veltkamp
Director of Development
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$118K (2020) → $166K (2024)
Beth Massa
Director of Foundation Relations
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $126K (2024)
DeMaris Nesheim
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Batteen
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Sharp
Director
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Karl Adam
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Grossenburg
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marilyn Hoyt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Buche
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shawn Rost
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bob Sutton
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Matt Cronin
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Casey Peterson
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hani Shafai
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Roby
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda Erickson
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Marci Christensen-Burdick
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Gatzke
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia Mickelson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Sands
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Clayton Cudmore
Chief Financial & Administrative Officer
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$185K (2020) → $270K (2024)
Ginger Niemann
Senior Program Officer
On filings since 2021
55 hrs/week
$101K (2021) → $125K (2024)
Cassie Stoeser
Controller
New on the 2024 filing
55 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Elli Haerter
Scholarship Coordinator
New on the 2024 filing
55 hrs/week
$104K (2024)
Dennis Daugaard
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (12)
- Former: Deanna Lien (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Kathy Gunderson (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Keith Moore (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Charles Hart (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Maree Larson (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Stanley Porch (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Karly Winter (2022) — Operations & Compliance Manager
- Former: Beth Benning (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Bruce Brandner (2020) — Director
- Former: Jeff Erickson (2020) — Director
- Former: Les Lindskov (2020) — Director
- Former: Marcia Honomichl (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $418K, to Stephanie Judson (President). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 296, Pierre, SD 57501
Phone: (605) 224-1025
Website: https://sdcommunityfoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about South Dakota Community Foundation
How much does South Dakota Community Foundation give each year?
South Dakota Community Foundation gave $39.7M across 390 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $29.9M across 353 grants.
What is South Dakota Community Foundation's typical grant size?
South Dakota Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $18,563, and its average grant was $101,840, across 390 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from South Dakota Community Foundation that year got $37K on average.
Where does South Dakota Community Foundation give grants?
South Dakota Community Foundation gives mostly in South Dakota: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Sioux Falls, SD (40 grants), Rapid City, SD (31 grants), Mitchell, SD (21 grants) and Pierre, SD (18 grants).
Does South Dakota Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 384 grants with a stated purpose on South Dakota Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Community welfare and betterment" (227 grants), "Education" (86 grants) and "Youth Activities" (28 grants).
Who are South Dakota Community Foundation's largest grantees?
South Dakota Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include South Dakota State University ($3,443,105), Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains Inc ($2,043,919) and South Dakota State University Foundation ($1,923,915), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($58,185), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is South Dakota Community Foundation?
South Dakota Community Foundation reported $939.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $60.1M.
What does South Dakota Community Foundation fund?
SDCF’s stated mission is to receive and administer charitable gifts and permanent endowments primarily for the benefit of South Dakotans, and to work with donors, charities, and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in the state. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from South Dakota Community Foundation?
For South Dakota Fund and Beyond Idea Grants, eligible public nonprofit organizations may apply, or work with a verified fiscal sponsor. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching South Dakota Community Foundation by hand.
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South Dakota Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?