The Dakota State University Foundation advances Dakota State University by connecting philanthropy and engagement to elevate the faculty and student experience, support athletics, student clubs, academic success, and research initiatives.
The largest recent grant went to Dakota State University for scholarships and capital support: $26,504,419 in 2025. That single award captures the foundation’s role as a campus-centered funder that channels philanthropy into student aid, infrastructure, athletics, academic success, and research at Dakota State University. The Dakota State University Foundation advances the university through institution-directed support rather than external grantmaking, with all recent grants landing in Madison, South Dakota. Its active programs show three clear vehicles for that support: the Trojans Athletic Club for athletics and student-athlete scholarships, the Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign for strategic campus priorities, and the Champion Scholarship for tuition and related academic expenses. Across recent years, the foundation has continued to back the university directly, including a 2024 scholarship grant and a 2023 institutional grant. The pattern points to a foundation organized around one beneficiary institution, with philanthropy used to strengthen both student experience and campus capacity.
Scholarships are a central part of the foundation’s giving. In 2024, Dakota State University received $12,552,442 for scholarships, and the Champion Scholarship program is described as support for tuition and related academic expenses. The foundation also ties scholarship support to athletics through the Trojans Athletic Club, which provides resources for student-athlete scholarships. Campus infrastructure is another clear priority. In 2025, Dakota State University received $26,504,419 for scholarships and capital support, linking student aid with physical or programmatic campus needs. Research also appears in the foundation’s campaign structure through the Cyber-Research Initiative, one of the three strategic pillars in Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign. Academic success sits alongside that work as a named campaign priority.
The foundation’s grant sizes are substantial: the 25th percentile is $7,230,340, the median is $12,552,442, and the 75th percentile is $19,528,430. Recent awards show repeat support to Dakota State University across multiple years, including 2025, 2024, and 2023, which indicates an ongoing institutional funding pattern rather than isolated grants. The foundation is a university foundation, and the listed programs are all restricted to campus priorities. It does not accept unsolicited applications through the active programs listed.
$26.5M
$102.2M
$10.2M
$28M
Most grants fall between $7.2M and $19.5M, with a median of $12.6M.
25th Percentile
$7.2M
Median
$12.6M
75th Percentile
$19.5M
About 100% of grants go to recipients in SD.
MIKE MCKELVEY
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Grantmaking is local and entirely concentrated in South Dakota. All recent grants went to Madison, SD, where Dakota State University is located. The recipient country distribution is 100% U.S., with no non-U.S. grant activity shown. The foundation’s active programs also specify geography limited to the United States and South Dakota.
It funds Dakota State University itself through institution-directed support. Recent grants include scholarships and capital support, and its active programs center on athletics, campaign priorities, scholarship aid, academic success, and cybersecurity-related research.
The named program areas are higher education, scholarships, athletics, cybersecurity research, and student programs. The Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign adds three strategic pillars: Building Champions, Cyber-Research Initiative, and Academic Success.
No. All three active programs listed — Trojans Athletic Club, Trojans Unite Comprehensive Campaign, and Champion Scholarship — are marked as not accepting unsolicited applications.
The grant-size distribution is large and clustered around multi-million-dollar awards: p25 is $7,230,340, the median is $12,552,442, and p75 is $19,528,430.
The foundation’s giving is local. All recent grants in the data went to Madison, South Dakota, and the recipient country distribution is 100% U.S.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | MADISON, SD | $26,504,419 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS AND CAPITAL SUPPORT TO DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY |
| DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | MADISON, SD | $12,552,442 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY |
| DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | MADISON, SD | $1,908,237 | 2023 | — |
DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
$26,504,419SCHOLARSHIPS AND CAPITAL SUPPORT TO DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
$12,552,442SCHOLARSHIPS TO DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
$1,908,237