University of South Dakota Foundation
To provide private resources for the university of South Dakota to increase the excellence of its students' educational experience.
University of South Dakota Foundation at a glance
In short: University of South Dakota Foundation gave $26.6M across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $4.4M), mostly in South Dakota. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $26,600,179
- +7.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $4,433,363
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $16,375
- Total assets
- $367,452,853
- +3.6% 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 University of South Dakota Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of South Dakota ($26.5M). Together the top 5 received $26.6M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($17,750), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 23 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How University of South Dakota Foundation gives
- Giving grew 72% 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 $15.5M (2021) to $26.6M (2024). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $26.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD | $12,348,296 for scholarships, $7,747,906 for facilities and $6,425,919 other departmental support | $26,522,121 |
| South Dakota State Medical Association Foundation Sioux Falls, SD | Student Support | $26,332 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $17,750 |
| Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company Vermillion, SD | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Black Hills Playhouse Rapid City, SD | Scholarships/Program Support | $11,476 |
| Dakota State University Madison, SD | Scholarships | $7,500 |
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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 | $367,452,853 | $38,209,482 | $33,858,071 | $26,600,179 | 6 | $15,062,491 |
| 2023 | $354,810,157 | $28,171,802 | $31,652,541 | $24,784,520 | 5 | $10,002,207 |
| 2022 | $334,981,490 | $26,328,274 | $25,290,294 | $18,962,150 | 4 | $9,716,368 |
| 2021 | $375,464,262 | $26,429,631 | $21,833,254 | $15,470,243 | 3 | $8,944,450 |
| 2020 | $352,818,128 | $49,591,248 | $22,065,023 | $15,635,659 | 5 | $21,187,673 |
About University of South Dakota Foundation
Based on IRS filings
University of South Dakota Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Vermillion, SD. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $367.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $26.6M. Net investment income was $15.1M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
University of South Dakota Foundation is led by Jay Wilson, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 9 of 31 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jay Wilson
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$223K (2022) → $186K (2024)
Noah Shepard - Vp Of
Development, President & CEO
New on the 2024 filing
45 hrs/week
$214K (2024)
Russ Dokken - Board Of
Directors & Interim CEO
New on the 2024 filing
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Carr
Executive Director of Development
Senior Director Athletics Development → Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving, 2023
Executive Director of Leadership Annual Giving → Executive Director of Development, 2024
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $144K (2024)
Cynthia Carlson
Executive Director of Planned Giving
Executive Director of Philanthropy → Executive Director of Planned Giving, 2023
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$154K (2022) → $169K (2024)
Kevin Doyle
Chair
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Chair, 2023
Vice Chair & Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nick Kotzea
Secretary, Treasurer, COO & General Counsel
Secretary, Treasurer & Chief Gov Officer → Secretary, Treasurer, COO & General Counsel, 2022
On filings since 2020
45 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $196K (2024)
Christopher Kassin
Vice President of Corporate & Fdtn Relations
Vice President of External Affairs → Vice President of Corporate Relations, 2023
Vice President of Corporate Relations → Vice President of Corporate & Fdtn Relations, 2024
On filings since 2022
45 hrs/week
$129K (2022) → $145K (2024)
Peggy Mach
Vice President of Finance
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$126K (2023) → $148K (2024)
Kellyna Warnke - Senior Dir
Of Development - Health Affairs
New on the 2024 filing
45 hrs/week
$127K (2024)
Stephanie Austin - Vp Of
Advancement Serv. & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
45 hrs/week
$121K (2024)
Deborah Peters
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack Hopkins
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Julie Johnson
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lance Bultena
Vice Chair
Board of Directors → Vice Chair Elect, 2021
Vice Chair Elect → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy A. Gallagher
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Taylor
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
0.7 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Gallagher
Board of Directors
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brandee Schultz
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jafar Karim
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kyle Jorgensen
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Peterson
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Paul Hanson
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Terrance Kurtenbach
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrea Thompson
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Abbott
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Judith Meierhenry
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Nettleman
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Johnson
Board of Directors
Board of Directors - Joined → Board of Directors, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gary Fish
Board of Directors
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Travis Hahler
Board of Directors
New on the 2024 filing
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (32)
- Former: Kellyna Warnke (2021–2023) — Senior Director of Development
- Former: Noah Shepard (2021–2023) — Vice President of Development
- Former: Bergen Peterson - Left (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Gary Begeman - Left (2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: James Clement - Left (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Lance Bultena - Vice Chair- (2023) — Elect & Vice Chair
- Former: Margaret Doyle - Left (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Russ Dokken - Joined (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Ryan Taylor - Chairimmediate (2023) — Past Chair
- Former: Travis Hahler - Joined (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Tyler Tordsen - Left (2023) — Board of Directors
- Former: Angeline Lavin (2020–2022) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Bergen Peterson (2020–2022) — Board of Directors
- Former: Christine Roberts (2020–2022) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Christine Tjelmeland (2020–2022) — CFO - Left
- Former: Gary Begeman (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: James Clement (2020–2022) — Board of Directors
- Former: Margaret Doyle (2020–2022) — Board of Directors
- Former: Tyler Tordsen (2022) — Board of Directors - Joined
- Former: Bob Sutton (2020–2021) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Cynthia Whitney (2020–2021) — Executive Director of Philanthropy
- Former: Joel Portice (2020–2021) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: John Barker (2020–2021) — Board of Directors
- Former: Michelle Green (2020–2021) — Vp-Philanthropy & Engagement - Left
- Former: Robert Hollingsworth (2020–2021) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Steve Brown (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: Sylvia Wagner (2020–2021) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Rob Houdek (2021) — Controller
- Former: Gary Ellis (2020) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Joann Kunkel (2020) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: Stephen Schacht (2020) — Board of Directors - Left
- Former: William Wittrig (2020) — Board of Directors - Left
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 $214K, to Noah Shepard - VP of (Develop./President & CEO (Mar-Dec)). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about University of South Dakota Foundation
How much does University of South Dakota Foundation give each year?
University of South Dakota Foundation gave $26.6M across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $24.8M across 5 grants.
What is University of South Dakota Foundation's typical grant size?
University of South Dakota Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $16,375, and its average grant was $4,433,363, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does University of South Dakota Foundation give grants?
University of South Dakota 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 Vermillion, SD (2 grants).
Does University of South Dakota Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on University of South Dakota Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are University of South Dakota Foundation's largest grantees?
University of South Dakota Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of South Dakota ($26,522,121), South Dakota State Medical Association Foundation ($26,332) and Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($17,750), which are not listed by name.
How large is University of South Dakota Foundation?
University of South Dakota Foundation reported $367.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $38.2M.
What is University of South Dakota Foundation?
University of South Dakota Foundation is a public charity focused on Education, based in Vermillion, SD. It holds $367.5M in total assets as of 2024.
What is University of South Dakota Foundation's EIN?
University of South Dakota Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-6018891. 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 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 8, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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University of South Dakota Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?