Best Corson County Grants for Nonprofits in South Dakota

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

The Francis Grants, established by Catholic Extension, offer funding for significant events in poor mission dioceses, such as the ordination of new Bishops, anniversaries, or papal visits. These grants also support educational endeavors for Bishops. Named in honor of Francis Clement Kelly, Francis Cardinal George OMI, and Pope Francis, the program aims to strengthen the Catholic faith across the U.S. Since 1905, Catholic Extension has invested over $500 million to assist communities in need.

Catholic Extension's Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry Grants aim to empower the church to broaden its outreach and foster societal transformation through targeted pastoral and social initiatives. This program supports specific elements of the church's ministerial efforts, including funding for catechetical resources, marriage and family ministries, and social outreach for vulnerable populations. By investing in these areas, Catholic Extension seeks to enhance the church's role in communities, especially following disasters.

The Building Capacity Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the financial and operational capabilities of dioceses. This initiative focuses on funding projects that promote efficiency, financial stability, and effective fiscal management, ultimately fostering a self-sustaining community. Eligible programs include fundraising development initiatives and operational assessments, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently while supporting professional development for church leadership. This grant empowers dioceses to strengthen their foundations for future growth.

The Engaging Young Catholics Grants aim to support ministries that provide faith formation to children, teens, young adults, and families. By focusing on the pastoral needs of young Catholics, the program enhances community vibrancy and fosters new leadership within the church. Catholic Extension prioritizes operational support and seed funding for initiatives that develop youth and young adult ministries, ensuring that dioceses can effectively reach and engage younger generations in their faith.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

The Building Foundation Grants by Catholic Extension aim to support essential pastoral and administrative functions in under-resourced communities. These grants provide salary subsidies and operational funding to ordained, religious, and lay ministers, ensuring access to Catholic services. Prioritizing areas with significant financial need, this initiative seeks to sustain the church's presence where it is most critical, enabling continued ministry and outreach for those who may otherwise be underserved.

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

What We Do

Since our creation by Congress in 1984, NFWF has grown to become the nation’s largest private conservation foundation. We work with both the public and private sectors to protect and restore our nation’s fish, wildlife, plants and habitats for current and future generations.

NFWF supports conservation efforts across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Since our founding, we've funded over 23,300 rigorously evaluated projects, awarded to both large environmental organizations and small local initiatives. We do not fund advocacy or litigation, and do not conduct membership campaigns. Instead, we focus on achieving results and building a better future for our world.

Northern Great Plains Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals to voluntarily conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife species in the Northern Great Plains. The goal of the Northern Great Plains program is to maintain and/or improve interconnected grasslands in focal areas to sustain healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while fostering sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Major funding partners include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management, Bezos Earth Fund, Marathon Oil, Altria Group, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, and Margret A. Cargill Philanthropies.

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.

The Northern Great Plains Grant Program, initiated by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife in the Northern Great Plains. With approximately $22 million available in grants for 2025, the program focuses on sustaining healthy populations of grassland-obligate species while promoting sustainable livelihoods and preserving cultural identities, including tribal cultures and food sovereignty. Key funding partners include multiple federal agencies and private organizations.

The John T. Vucurevich Foundation Grant focuses on supporting low-income families by addressing essential needs such as food access, health services, and transportation. The foundation aims to foster community collaboration and strategic partnerships to enhance the well-being of families and children in the Rapid City Area. Grant applications are accepted for projects that demonstrate community need and secure additional funding, with a commitment to transparent and engaged grantmaking.

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 Sinew Fund Grants, supported by Racing Magpie, empower Oceti Sakowin visual creatives in the U.S. to engage their communities through innovative, artist-led projects. Focused on the rich cultural heritage of Lakota communities, these grants foster collaborative, community-based initiatives that enhance cultural dialogue and creative expression. Eligible applicants must be connected to an Oceti Sakowin tribe and aim for projects that prioritize public engagement within current-day Western South Dakota.

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.

Jeff & Marcia Sveen Scholarship

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

Gropper Clement Legacy Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates of Huron, James Valley Christian, Kadoka and Miller High Schools.

Harlan & Mae Niedermyer Scholarship

To provide financial support to graduates residing in Fall River County.

Esther Edie Environmental Scholarship

In 1972, Esther Edie brought together several small environmental protection groups from around the state to form the South Dakota Resources Coalition (SDRC). SDRC’s mission was to preserve and enhance our environment, protect our natural resources, and encourage citizens and businesses to adopt sound environmental practices. In its 40-year existence, SDRC fulfilled its mission through education, legislative advocacy, and litigation. Esther Edie was an effective leader in SDRC’s many projects until she died in 2006.

To provide financial support to students attending a college or university in South Dakota, who is pursuing a career in one of the following areas: Environmental Science, Environmental Geography, Environmental Sociology, Natural Resource Management, or Environmental Law.

Elaine Lonneman Scholarship

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

Gene Abdallah Scholarship

To provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.

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.

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.

Rene Hernandez Scholarship Fund

Hispanic graduating seniors in Travis and Williamson county.

Awards

• (1) $2,000.00

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.

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.

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