South Dakota State University Foundation
Enhancing excellence by cultivating generosity and treasuring the loyalty of all we serve.
South Dakota State University Foundation at a glance
In short: South Dakota State University Foundation gave $52.0M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $17.3M), mostly in South Dakota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $51,977,567
- -12.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $17,325,856
- -12.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,328,375
- Total assets
- $411,928,607
- +5.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- South Dakota (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who South Dakota State University Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Dakota Bioworx ($3.3M). Together the top 2 received $3.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($48,084,144), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was $5M or more: 5 grants of 16 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How South Dakota State University Foundation gives
- Giving grew 155% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $20.4M (2021) to $59.6M (2023). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $52.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $48,084,144 |
| Dakota Bioworx Brookings, SD | Capital Project | $3,328,375 |
| SDSU Alumni Association Brookings, SD | Program Support | $565,048 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $411,928,607 | $73,265,294 | $62,013,343 | $51,977,567 | 3 | $11,514,688 |
| 2023 | $389,380,417 | $63,664,809 | $68,418,903 | $59,558,370 | 3 | $8,568,406 |
| 2022 | $374,742,480 | $86,766,590 | $31,153,517 | $23,127,888 | 3 | $11,957,027 |
| 2021 | $348,997,172 | $85,922,065 | $28,523,415 | $20,376,692 | 4 | $12,467,887 |
| 2020 | $287,960,105 | $54,798,337 | $34,303,687 | $26,696,109 | 3 | $5,284,467 |
About South Dakota State University Foundation
Based on IRS filings
South Dakota State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Brookings, SD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $411.9M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $52.0M. Net investment income was $11.5M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
South Dakota State University Foundation is led by Steve Erpenbach, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 7 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Steve Erpenbach
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$214K (2020) → $271K (2024)
Marc Mooney
Chair
Board Member → Chair-Elect, 2021
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keith Mahlum
Vice President for Development
Vice President of Development → Vice President for Development, 2022
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$147K (2020) → $190K (2024)
Michael Birgen
Associate Vice President for Philanthropy
Associate Vice President for Development → Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, 2023
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$113K (2020) → $128K (2024)
Rina Reynolds
Associate Vice President for Philanthropy
Senior Director of Major Giving → Senior Director of Major Gifts, 2022
Senior Director of Major Gifts → Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, 2023
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $130K (2024)
Tim Dwire
Vice President for Finance & Operations
Vice President of Operations & Finance → Vice President for Operations & Finance, 2022
Vice President for Operations & Finance → Vice President for Finance & Operations, 2023
On filings since 2020
55 hrs/week
$171K (2020) → $198K (2024)
Ned Gavlick
Associate Vice President for Gift Planning
On filings since 2023
55 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $125K (2024)
Keli Books
Associate Vice President for Philanthropy
New on the 2024 filing
55 hrs/week
$113K (2024)
Kathy Walker
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Tetzlaff
Chair-Elect
Board Member → Chair-Elect, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Wahlstrom
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle McCarville
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Roberts
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rita Edwards
Board Member
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2021
Chair → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Schaefer
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Aamlid
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Roberta Olson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Schmidt
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erica Deboer
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Leddy
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (9)
- Former: Bob Schmidt (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Dana Dykhouse (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Travys Harvey-King (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Arian Bunde (2021–2023) — Vice President for Strategy & Innovation
- Former: Cathy Vander Wal-Rounds (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Gordon Niva (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Marc Littlecott (2020–2021) — Director of Gift Planning
- Former: Jon Brown (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Lucy Forman (2020) — Vice President for Donor Relations
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 $271K, to Steve Erpenbach (President/CEO). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about South Dakota State University Foundation
How much does South Dakota State University Foundation give each year?
South Dakota State University Foundation gave $52.0M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $59.6M across 3 grants.
What is South Dakota State University Foundation's typical grant size?
South Dakota State University Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,328,375, and its average grant was $17,325,856, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does South Dakota State University Foundation give grants?
South Dakota State University Foundation gives mostly in South Dakota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Brookings, SD (2 grants).
Does South Dakota State University Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on South Dakota State University Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
How large is South Dakota State University Foundation?
South Dakota State University Foundation reported $411.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $73.3M.
What is South Dakota State University Foundation?
South Dakota State University Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Brookings, SD. It holds $411.9M in total assets as of 2024.
What is South Dakota State University Foundation's EIN?
South Dakota State University Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-0273801. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 23, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 24, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work South Dakota State University Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in South Dakota State University Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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South Dakota State University Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?