How much funding does Excellence in Education Initiative provide?

The listing does not state a funding amount. Check the funder's announcement for specifics.

When is the deadline for Excellence in Education Initiative?

The funder has not published the next deadline; based on past cycles it is expected around October.

Who is eligible for Excellence in Education Initiative?

Eligible applicants: Classroom teachers from all grade levels in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner counties; Teachers at public schools; Teachers at parochial and private schools; Nonprofit childcare providers.

How often is Excellence in Education Initiative offered?

Excellence in Education Initiative runs on an annual cycle. The next deadline is expected October 6, 2026.

Excellence in Education Initiative

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Inc

Foundation Annual Grants for Teachers Grants for Education STEM Education Grants Literacy Grants

Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Expected ~October

Based on past cycles

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle: Annual
Current deadline: October 6, 2026
Tracked since: April 2026

Deadlines typically fall in: October

Source: the cycle recorded on this listing. Confirm dates with the funder.

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

Classroom teachers from all grade levels in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner counties
Teachers at public schools
Teachers at parochial and private schools
Nonprofit childcare providers

Overview

Geographic Scope: Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner counties (South Dakota)

Program Overview: The Excellence in Education initiative has offered grants to teachers for more than 30 years. The program supports teachers who have creative and innovative ideas for classroom projects. Since the program began, hundreds of programs and activities designed by teachers throughout the Sioux Falls area have received grant funding, enriching educational experiences for students.

Focus Areas

Innovative classroom projects
Educational enrichment
STEM and STEAM education
Literacy and language development
Special education support
Social-emotional learning
Early childhood education
Inclusive learning practices

Eligibility

Classroom teachers from all grade levels in Lincoln, McCook, Minnehaha, and Turner counties
Teachers at public schools
Teachers at parochial and private schools
Nonprofit childcare providers

What They Fund

Recent grants have supported:

Sensory regulation tools and kits for students with disabilities
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) resources
STEM/STEAM materials and hands-on learning activities
Multisensory learning centers
Reading support tools and materials
Problem-solving and escape room kits
Team-based learning competitions
Assistive technology for students with reading challenges

Contact Information

Address: The Depot at Cherapa Place, 200 N Cherapa Pl, Sioux Falls, SD 57103

Notes

The 2025 cycle was the most recent announced (October 30, 2025), awarding more than $14,000 to local teachers. The next cycle deadline is expected to be in October 2026.

How to Apply

Application Process

Submit Proposal through the online application portal at sfacf.org
Provide a description of your innovative classroom project
Explain how the grant funds will be used to enrich student learning
Describe the number of students who will benefit
Detail the expected outcomes and impact

Required Materials

Project description
Budget/itemized list of materials or resources needed
Expected student impact and outcomes
Information about your school/classroom

Submission Format

Online proposal submission

Deadline

Next expected deadline: October 6, 2026 (based on 2025 cycle)
Proposals must be submitted by midnight on the deadline date

Apply with Grantable Learn more

What Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025: 308
Total given: $37.97M
Median grant: $25K
Range: $5,100–$7.01M

By dollars: South Dakota 93%, Minnesota 3%, Iowa 1%. Top recipient cities: Sioux Falls, SD; Brandon, SD; Vermillion, SD.
61% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
25% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

Sioux Falls School District #49-5 · Sioux Falls, SD

Angel fund, community learning centers, summer music camp support, boys & girls club…

$7.01M
Augustana University · Sioux Falls, SD

General support, capital projects, department support, athletics support, library…

$3.52M
City of Sioux Falls · Sioux Falls, SD

Aquatic center, municipal band support, maintenance and improvements to city parks,…

$2.61M
Dakota State University Foundation · Madison, SD

Cyber extension, fundraising support

$1.21M
Black Hills State University Foundation · Spearfish, SD

Program support, general support, women's business center, women's athletic support

$1.11M