Our mission is to lead solutions, give with purpose, and thrive together.
BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION is based in Rapid City, SD. It reported $14,704,425 in annual grants and $66,897,711 in total assets in its latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its stated focus areas include Affordable Housing, Food Security, Youth Mental Wellness / Youth & Families, Capacity Building, Scholarships / Education, Community Development, Native American populations, Low-Income populations, Animal Welfare, and Social / Human Services. Recent grant records show large awards to ONEHEART for $3,846,146 in 2024 and $771,369 in 2025, and to Rural America Initiatives for $1,034,838 in 2024. Other named recipients include CommonBond Communities, which received $1,800,000 in 2023, and Storybook Island Inc, which received $241,368 in 2024. The foundation’s active programs also include Strategic Housing Initiative / Strategic Housing Trust Funds, the Rapid City Food Services Grant, the Black Hills Food Response Fund, a Capacity Building Grant, and a Scholarship Program. The recent grants list is concentrated in community welfare, education, and scholarship-related support, with awards to organizations such as Rapid City Catholic Schools, Rapid City Library Foundation, Rapid City Area Schools, and NAU Foundation. Its grantmaking is local in scope, and 89% of grants go to recipients in South Dakota.
Recent grantmaking spans community welfare, education, scholarships, food security, affordable housing, and capacity building. Notable grants include ONEHEART for $3,846,146 in 2024 and $771,369 in 2025, Rural America Initiatives for $1,034,838 in 2024, and CommonBond Communities for $1,800,000 in 2023. The program list shows support for affordable housing through below-market-rate financing and revolving Trust Fund loans, food services through the Rapid City Food Services Grant, and organizational sustainability through the Capacity Building Grant. Scholarship support appears in the annual scholarship portfolio, with awards ranging from $200 to $7,500.
BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION’s typical grant size, based on its reported distribution, is $8,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,750 at the median, and $28,850 at the 75th percentile. It gives primarily to local organizations and individuals connected to the Black Hills region through nonprofit programs, scholarships, and community-level grants. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Strategic Housing Initiative, Rapid City Food Services Grant, Black Hills Food Response Fund, Capacity Building Grant, Scholarship Program, Community Action Grant, and Margaret Warren and Grace Lemley Animal Welfare Grant. The Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant is invitation-only.
$3.9M
$66.9M
$13.9M
$9.9M
Most grants fall between $8K and $29K, with a median of $16K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$16K
75th Percentile
$29K
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BLACK HILLS AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION gives most often in South Dakota, and 89% of its grants go to recipients in its headquarters state. The recent grant list also includes recipients in Minnesota, including CommonBond Communities in St Paul, World Vision Inc in Minneapolis, and St Olaf College in Northfield. Within South Dakota, recent grants reached Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Pierre, Pine Ridge, Box Elder, and Hill City. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the data provided.
Some active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Strategic Housing Initiative, Rapid City Food Services Grant, Black Hills Food Response Fund, Capacity Building Grant, Scholarship Program, Community Action Grant, and Margaret Warren and Grace Lemley Animal Welfare Grant. The Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant is invitation-only.
Its stated focus areas include Affordable Housing, Food Security, Youth Mental Wellness / Youth & Families, Capacity Building, Scholarships / Education, Community Development, Native American populations, Low-Income populations, Animal Welfare, and Social / Human Services. Recent grants also show support for community welfare, education, and scholarships.
Its typical grant size is $8,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,750 at the median, and $28,850 at the 75th percentile. Program amounts vary by initiative, including $10,000 for the Capacity Building Grant, $25,000 for the Rapid City Food Services Grant, and scholarships ranging from $200 to $7,500.
Its geographic scope of giving is local. It gives most often in South Dakota, and 89% of its grants go to recipients in South Dakota. Recent grants also went to organizations in Minnesota, while the recipient country distribution shown in the data is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent grants include ONEHEART, Rural America Initiatives, CommonBond Communities, Storybook Island Inc, Sequel Inc, The Hope Center, World Vision Inc, NAU Foundation, Rapid City Catholic Schools, and Youth and Family Services. The list also includes recipients such as Re-Member, Rapid City Library Foundation, and St Olaf College.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Black Hills Area Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government entities, or religious organizations. Activities must take place in Butte, Lawrence, or Meade County. Multi-year projects, capital campaigns, and prohibited activities are ineligible.
Deadline: Opens September 1 and closes October 11 annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government entities, or religious organizations. Activities must take place in the listed counties. Funds may support bonuses, benefits, childcare, retreats, professional development, and recognition; multi-year projects and capital campaigns are ineligible.
Deadline: Opens October 1 and closes November 15 annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government entities, or religious organizations in good standing. Activities must be in the Rapid City area and serve low-income individuals and families, particularly Native American groups.
Deadline: Opens October 15 and closes November 15 annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government entities, or religious organizations. Activities must take place in Rapid City. Ongoing or new programs, projects, and capacity-building efforts are eligible; multi-year projects and operational expenses are ineligible.
Deadline: Opens February 1 and closes March 1 annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, schools, government entities, or religious organizations. Organizations or activities must be located in or take place in the listed South Dakota counties. Requests must address eligible capacity-building categories within one year and long-term sustainability.
Deadline: Applications open February 1 and close March 15 annually.
Who can apply: Applicants must be eligible organizations with activities in the listed counties. Eligible requests include new or ongoing programs, capacity building, operating expenses, and small capital improvements. Only no-kill shelters are considered. Multi-year projects, capital campaigns, and prohibited activities are ineligible.
Deadline: Opens March 1 and closes April 12 annually.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONEHEART | RAPID CITY, SD | $771,369 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| WORLD VISION INC | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| NAU FOUNDATION | RAPID CITY, SD | $148,205 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| RE-MEMBER | PINE RIDGE, SD | $129,860 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| RAPID CITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS | RAPID CITY, SD | $126,300 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| CHILDRENS HOME FOUNDATION | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $109,212 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES | RAPID CITY, SD | $109,158 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BLACK HI | HILL CITY, SD | $106,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| RAPID CITY AREA SCHOOLS | RAPID CITY, SD | $83,967 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ST OLAF COLLEGE | NORTHFIELD, MN | $76,718 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WAMBLI SKA SOCIETY | BOX ELDER, SD | $75,606 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SEQUEL INC | RAPID CITY, SD | $75,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS | RAPID CITY, SD | $68,244 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - HE SAPA | RAPID CITY, SD | $64,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SD ASSOC FOR EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHI | BOX ELDER, SD | $63,613 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| THUNDER VALLEY COMM DEVEL CORP | PORCUPINE, SD | $62,500 | 2025 | COMMINITY WELFARE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | RAPID CITY, SD | $62,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SD PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | PIERRE, SD | $62,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| FEEDING SOUTH DAKOTA | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $58,100 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| RAPID CITY LIBRARY FOUNDATION | RAPID CITY, SD | $56,501 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BLACK HILLS PARKS AND FORESTS ASSOC | HOT SPRINGS, SD | $50,866 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| WHITEFISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | WHITEFISH, MT | $50,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| BLACK HILLS WORKS FOUNDATION | RAPID CITY, SD | $49,250 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| UNITED WAY OF THE BLACK HILLS | RAPID CITY, SD | $48,800 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| PENNINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MGMT | RAPID CITY, SD | $47,252 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH | RAPID CITY, SD | $42,996 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE BLACK HILLS | RAPID CITY, SD | $39,140 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| WESTERN SD SENIOR SERVICES | RAPID CITY, SD | $37,898 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| BLACK HILLS TRAILS | STURGIS, SD | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| RAPID CITY CLUB FOR BOYS INC | RAPID CITY, SD | $32,750 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY INC | RAPID CITY, SD | $32,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| FRIENDS OF SDPB | VERMILLION, SD | $31,129 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| ELEVATE FOUNDATION INC | RAPID CITY, SD | $30,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SAMARITAN'S PURSE | BOONE, NC | $28,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| WAVI | RAPID CITY, SD | $26,806 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SD EDUCATION EQUITY COALITION | BLACK HAWK, SD | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| OPERATION SMILE | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SDSM&T FOUNDATION | RAPID CITY, SD | $24,200 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| MAKE A WISH SOUTH DAKOTA | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $22,529 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| PENNINGTON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE | RAPID CITY, SD | $22,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SALVATION ARMY | RAPID CITY, SD | $21,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| CORNERSTONE RESCUE MISSION | RAPID CITY, SD | $21,500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| HELPLINE CENTER INC | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $21,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY OF SD | SIOUX FALLS, SD | $20,450 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| SUPPORTERS FOR HILL CITY AMBULANCE | CUSTER, SD | $20,179 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| STURGIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | STURGIS, SD | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEADWOOD HISTORY INC | DEADWOOD, SD | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH | RAPID CITY, SD | $19,900 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
| IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE RC CHAPTER | RAPID CITY, SD | $19,651 | 2025 | COMMUNITY WELFARE |
ONEHEART
$771,369COMMUNITY WELFARE
NAU FOUNDATION
$148,205EDUCATION
RE-MEMBER
$129,860COMMUNITY WELFARE
RAPID CITY CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
$126,300SCHOLARSHIPS
CHILDRENS HOME FOUNDATION
$109,212COMMUNITY WELFARE
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE BLACK HI
$106,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
RAPID CITY AREA SCHOOLS
$83,967EDUCATION
WAMBLI SKA SOCIETY
$75,606COMMUNITY WELFARE
SEQUEL INC
$75,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - HE SAPA
$64,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
SD ASSOC FOR EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHI
$63,613EDUCATION
SD PARKS & WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$62,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
RAPID CITY LIBRARY FOUNDATION
$56,501EDUCATION
BLACK HILLS PARKS AND FORESTS ASSOC
$50,866COMMUNITY WELFARE
PENNINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MGMT
$47,252COMMUNITY WELFARE
EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$42,996COMMUNITY WELFARE
HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE BLACK HILLS
$39,140COMMUNITY WELFARE
WESTERN SD SENIOR SERVICES
$37,898COMMUNITY WELFARE
BLACK HILLS TRAILS
$35,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
NATURE CONSERVANCY INC
$32,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
ELEVATE FOUNDATION INC
$30,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES
$25,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
SDSM&T FOUNDATION
$24,200COMMUNITY WELFARE
PENNINGTON COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE
$22,000COMMUNITY WELFARE
SALVATION ARMY
$21,500COMMUNITY WELFARE
CORNERSTONE RESCUE MISSION
$21,500COMMUNITY WELFARE
SUPPORTERS FOR HILL CITY AMBULANCE
$20,179COMMUNITY WELFARE
STURGIS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DEADWOOD HISTORY INC
$20,000EDUCATION
CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
$19,900COMMUNITY WELFARE
IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE RC CHAPTER
$19,651COMMUNITY WELFARE