Best Clark County Grants for Nonprofits in South Dakota

Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Charitable Giving Program focuses on supporting communities across its nine-state service territory. The program reviews funding requests periodically and allocates donations to various categories, including education, health services, civic betterment, and cultural initiatives. Additionally, it offers matching funds for member donations and contributes surplus office equipment to organizations in need. This commitment to community growth and sustainability reflects Basin Electric's mission to enhance the well-being of its members.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Grants

The South Dakota Community Foundation offers an array of grants to help state nonprofits realize their dreams and continue investing in their communities. 

Clark Area Foundation Grant

The Greater Clark Area Community Foundation (GCACF) will strive to support a broad spectrum of projects intended to improve and enhance the Clark County Area. Determination of recommendation for approval will be based upon need, creativity in addressing community concerns, community volunteer support, and accountability. The GCACF will use this as a guideline to determine the eligibility of your proposed project for funding.

• QUALIFICATION: Purpose of the project should fulfill a community need and preferably involve tangible, measurable, items or projects.

• VOLUNTEERISM: Projects which involve significant and continuous community volunteerism support will be favorably considered.

• DISCRIMINATION: Applications offering services exclusively to one gender, age group, religion or race will be closely scrutinized for discriminatory practices. Funding will be based on the needs of the individual being served.

• INNOVATION: The Clark Area Community Foundation goal is to funds a mix of ongoing, well-established projects as well as innovative projects designed to address existing community needs in innovative ways.

• PARTNERSHIP: The Foundation should not be the sole funding source of any Project and make awards contingent on proof of other funding sources: however, funding percentage of total project is at the discretion of the Foundation. Grants may also be made in the form of a challenge, to be met dollar-for-dollar by other sources. The Foundation prefers to be the last funder. Grants expire one year from the date awarded; if that should happen, the Foundation welcomes the project to reapply.

• CHALLENGE OR MATCHING GRANTS: The Clark Area Community Foundation encourages matching funds from all grant applicants. When the Board perceives the need for more local involvement and support of a given project; it may issue challenge grants in any proportion. Funding may be contingent upon acquisition of the required matching money. There may be times when the Clark Area Community Foundation perceives a need in the community is not being met. The Board then may issue a challenge grant or request a proposal to address that need.

Clark Area Community Foundation (CACF)

The Clark Area Community Foundation is a nonprofit, public organization, created to attract and distribute charitable funds for the benefit of the Clark area community. The foundation was formed in 2007 by a committee of local citizens. As a community foundation, the Foundation is a collection of funds from organizations, families, individuals and businesses that seek to improve the quality of life in the Clark Area. As of 2024, the Clark Area Community Foundation has over $2,700,000. These funds are deposited into an endowed, permanent fund. Together, these contributions are an effective and growing charitable financial resource with which, we can build a better community and enhance the lives of Clark Area citizens. The Clark Area Community Foundation is committed to enrich the quality of life in the Clark area by:

• Building an endowment fund for the future.
• Serving donors with many different interests.
• Serving as a resource and catalyst for charitable purposes.
• Assessing and responding to community needs.

CACF Grant

Gifts contributed to the Clark Area Community Foundation are held within the South Dakota Community Foundation. The total SDCF endowment of over $300 million is invested by the SDCF’s investment manager. Grants are made available to local foundations in January of each year.

We are committed to enriching the quality of life in the Clark Area. CACF will strive to support a broad spectrum of projects intended to improve and enhance the Clark County Area. Determination of recommendation for approval will be based upon need, creativity in addressing community concerns, community volunteer support, and accountability. 

Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation

Since our inception in 1988, the Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation (AAMF) organization has expended over 2.5 million in the NE South Dakota and SE North Dakota area for medical equipment, medical scholarships, and healthcare delivery.

The general objectives of the corporation shall be to ensure the maintenance and the highest standards of healthcare in the Aberdeen area; to aid, assist, and promote healthcare facilities in the Aberdeen area; to promote research and provide facilities and equipment to that end; to assist in medical and healthcare education, both publicly and privately, and to promote legitimate healthcare objectives; to provide healthcare for those unable to provide for themselves; and generally do all things necessary to carry out the corporation’s objectives.

Aberdeen Area Medical Foundation Funding Requests

AAMF works to provide funding and benefits to healthcare, healthcare delivery, medical scholarships, and funding of medical equipment for charitable hospitals and ambulance services. They have furnished ambulance equipment for all of the small community and rural ambulance volunteers in Northeast South Dakota and Southeast North Dakota. AAMF serves an area bounded by Hwy 14 to the south, I-94 to the north, the Missouri River to the west, and the SD border to the east.

Funding requests can be made for medical equipment or health-related projects. The AAMF board meets twice per year in the spring and fall to review requests.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

Why the Wings Foundation

An unwavering commitment to family, community and stronger tomorrows was the flag under which the Young Women’s Christian Association (aka the YWCA) of Huron stood for over 100 years. During those decades, hundreds of thousands of young lives were touched by the programs and assistance offered through this organization.

As much as the YWCA evolved over the year to keep up with the evolution of women and continued to strive to be an asset to the community, the last decade brought many questions as to the value, in light of the cost. The governing board of directors soon found the aging service organization asset heavy and cash poor with a dwindling list of programs.

In lieu of giving up, the team made plans to ‘reinvent’ the YWCA, beginning with the essence of the original mission and a focus on keeping the value of the assets tied to Huron and the surrounding area. the WINGS Foundation was established as part of the South Dakota Community Foundation. The earnings from this sizable foundation are now being distributed back to Huron and the surrounding communities through the grant application process of the Huron Community Foundation, as well as direct requests. Approved funds must align with the Mission Statement below.

WINGS Foundation Grant

Mission Statement: Funding is designated to achieve the successful establishment or continuation of new or existing family services and community infrastructure in Huron and surrounding areas. Preference will be granted to those requests that provide support for the growth, protection, and overall benefit of women and children to fortify the community and strengthen the family unit.

NorthWestern Energy Community Works Grants aim to enhance community well-being in Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The program supports qualified nonprofit organizations with monetary donations focused on education, health services, civic improvement, culture, and resource conservation. Since 2019, over $2.1 million has been contributed towards community projects. Eligible applicants must demonstrate tax-exempt status and proposals should favor funding for programs and physical improvements. National organizations and political activities are generally excluded.

Community Lutheran Church - Hill City Scholarship

The scholarship is available to graduating seniors and home-schooled, non-traditional, and currently enrolled students from Community Lutheran Church in Hill City, SD. Additionally, please reflect on what the mission statement of Community Lutheran Church means to you.

To provide financial support to students from Community Lutheran Church in Hill City, SD.

4-H Club Foundation of Tripp County

This application qualifies members of the 4-H Club Foundation of Tripp County Scholarship and the Harold & Twila Zink Scholarship. The number and amount of the scholarship are based on applicants and merit.

To provide financial support to current and past students of the Tripp County area pursuing post-secondary education at a South Dakota institute with preference given to participants in Tripp County 4-H.

Alfred & Julia Bucher Education Trust

To provide financial support to graduates of Hyde and Hand counties attending a South Dakota institution of higher learning or the seminary.

Allied Arts Fund

These awards help talented young students further their training in their artistic field. Students must live within the boundaries of the Greater Renton Area or have a Renton address and are between the ages of 12-19. The categories under which a student may apply are all areas of visual or performing arts. Awards may be used for tuition, school fees or academic expenses such as music, lessons, books, painting supplies, etc.

Awards

• $500 - $1000

Osborn scholarship

The Osborn scholarship is for BIPOC students with demonstrated financial need, who are enrolled in or planning to pursue an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in landscape architecture or civil engineering. Priority will be given to students with a demonstrated a commitment to developing public infrastructure and/or public places in the State of Washington. The intention of the scholarship is to create opportunities for those who have faced historic barriers to access to these professions in the United States. The scholarship founders believe that the design challenges of the 21st century require diverse voices to solve. They look forward to the stronger design solutions to which future scholarship recipients will contribute. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate the grit, resiliency and aptitude that is necessary for success in these professions. This may be demonstrated by any combination of at least two of the following characteristics: overcame a significant personal challenge to maintain at least a B average at school, honor roll grade point average, demonstrated ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, demonstrated service contributions to their community.

Awards

• $5,000 - $10,000

Wayne Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship benefits students who are children of employed or independent, exclusive sales representatives or insurance agents of Alfa Mutual Insurance Company or its insurance affiliates or subsidiaries. Awarding is based on academic achievement.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript

Wyndall Ivey Scholarship

The scholarship has been established in memory of Attorney Wyndall Ivey, a 1992 graduate of Sidney Lanier High School (Lanier Academic Motivational Program), the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Washington and Lee University School of Law. Eligible applicants must have a minimum 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale and plan to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript, Essay and References

The Tom Woodward Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship

The Tom Woodward Memorial Visual Arts Scholarship benefits students pursuing postgraduate studies at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or trade school. Art is not a required major for eligible applicants. This scholarship is renewable.

Application Requirements:

• High School Transcript, Essay, 3 Pieces of Artwork and References.

RoseLoe-Dix Endowed Scholarship Fund

Attending four-year university, two-year college or trade school in the upcoming semester, majoring in Business, Sciences, Computers, Christian Religion, Literature, Pre-med, Medical Field, or Engineering.

Awards

• (2) $12,000.00

Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

In the spirit of the A. Duie Pyle company focus on supporting people in as many ways as possible, the Latta Scholarship goal is to assist the children or stepchildren of A. Duie Pyle employees to enter into or continue attending an accredited college or technical school. Applicants must be children or stepchildren of A. Duie Pyle employees, should be able to demonstrate academic success, community and/or school contribution and a solid-grasp of future professional plans.

If you are an A. Duie Pyle employee and would like your child to apply for the Latta Scholarship, full details and an application can be accessed here. For any additional questions you can reach out to pylemarketing@aduiepyle.com. or grants@chescocf.org

Background

The Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund was established through donations from A. Duie Pyle, Inc. and from private donors for the benefit of children of employees of A. Duie Pyle. The fund is administered through the Chester County Community Foundation, and award winners are selected by the fund's scholarship committee, none of whom work at A. Duie Pyle.

Eleanor Pyle was Duie Pyle's daughter, and in 1942 she married James Latta, Jr. At the time, Mr. Latta was serving his country in the U.S. Army. Shortly after the wedding, Mr. Latta shipped out and served in the China-Burma-India Theater, and did not return home until April of 1945. Beginning in 1946, Jim Latta worked alongside Duie Pyle as the company continued to grow.

As Mr. Pyle's health declined in the early 1960's, Mr. Latta assumed the decision making for the future of the company. Mr. Latta led Pyle through rapid expansion, diversification, and a Teamster strike, and Pyle's resulting decertification. Throughout his leadership, Eleanor, his wife of 52 years, was by his side and involved in the company's activities. As Mr. Latta's health problems began to compound during 1985, much of the responsibility for the day to day decision making was transferred to Mr. and Mrs. Latta's three sons: Jimmy, Duie, and Peter. Mr. Latta remained a guiding force for his sons until his passing on June 16, 1995. Mrs. Latta continued as the matriarch of the company for many more years, until her passing on September 29, 2011.

The company experienced tremendous growth and solidified its identity as an outstanding place to work under the leadership of Eleanor and James Latta, Jr. They were always big proponents of education, and this scholarship fund is in memory of their tremendous contribution, and for the benefit of the employees of A. Duie Pyle, who they both so dearly respected and valued.

In 2013, shortly before his retirement, Pyle's President, Steve O'Kane, started the Eleanor & James Latta Jr. Scholarship Fund for the benefit of children of employees of A. Duie Pyle, in memory of Eleanor & James Latta Jr.

East End Neighborhood Association Scholarship Fund

Mission Statement

The sole purpose of this fund shall be to support agencies and other charitable causes as recommended by the Fund Advisors and approved by the Board of the Community Foundation.

Rene Hernandez Scholarship Fund

Hispanic graduating seniors in Travis and Williamson county.

Awards

• (1) $2,000.00

YWCA Chester County Fund

Mission Statement

A primary focus of the YWCA Chester County Fund is to provide scholarships to women, primarily non-traditional students, to continue their education.

National Academy of Construction

Purpose: The purpose of the Academy is to establish a body of acknowledged construction industry leaders and to provide them recognition through election to the National Academy of Construction. It also offers their collective experience and expertise for the improvement of the industry. The Academy shows recognition to fresh and novel industry achievement with appropriate awards programs. Another important purpose of the Academy is to provide a network system of linkage between past and present participants in the construction industry.

NAC Scholarship

• Members of the National Academy of Construction (NAC) established this scholarship to provide funding for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in construction or a closely related field and who intend to pursue a career in the construction industry.
• NAC’s mission is to recognize and honor individuals from all disciplines in the industry for their distinguished contributions to the industry and to share this reservoir of expertise as a service to the nation, including service contributions. It is one of the nation’s esteemed construction industry institutions, characterized by its extensive and diverse expertise, proven leadership, and trusted judgment.
• NAC is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in the construction industry. The intent of this scholarship is to provide financial support for two semesters for deserving students who plan to pursue careers in the construction industry, thus giving back to the profession some of the benefits that its members have received.

Since the scholarship program’s inception in 2020, NAC has awarded 36 scholarships worth over $203,000 to students from across the country.

Only one applicant is permitted from each university. There are no exceptions to this requirement. If more than one application is received from a university, the university will be notified and asked to choose one applicant.

Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend the NAC Annual Meeting. NAC will cover registration for this event and work with the recipients, their universities and others to identify sources of funding to cover travel expenses to attend. Attendance at the Annual Meeting is not required.

W. Thomas Musser Memorial Charitable Fund

Mission Statement

This fund has been initiated in memory of W. Thomas Musser (Tom Musser) and will provide grants to charitable organizations whose missions and activities most closely reflect those that Tom believed in and supported during his life time. A component of the fund will also be used to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing post-secondary education.

Scholarship

The W. Thomas Musser Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established to honor the life and legacy of W. Thomas (Tom) Musser. Tom believed deeply in the importance of education and life-long learning. 

Carol & Bruce Anderson Family Memorial Nursing Scholarship

To provide financial support to students who are entering their second year or later in nursing programs at selected South Dakota educational institutions: Augustana University, Lake Area Technical College, Sisseton Wahpeton College, or South Dakota State University.

Jacobsen Downs Endeavor Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of high schools in the Black Hills Area.

• Award amount $5,000 to $10,000

IBEW/Charles Sandberg Scholarship

To provide financial support to family members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 426.

Inez Taylor Walter Scholarship

To provide financial support to high school graduates in South Dakota pursuing a degree in nursing.

This scholarship was established by Harley Taylor in memory of his sister, Inez Walter who was from the Ipswich, SD area.

Jeff & Marcia Sveen Scholarship

To provide financial support to South Dakota graduates with preference given to Dakota Provisions, LLC personnel in Huron, SD.