Search Through Grants for the Arts in South Dakota in the U.S.

Global Impact Cash Grants

Identifying and incubating innovative early-stage solutions. We identify, incubate, and develop innovative early-stage solutions with the highest potential for impact. Global Impact Cash Grants go to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that address a significant social problem. We're looking for programs that fit within our investment sectors, focus on the underserved, and use technology to improve the reach and efficiency of services.

We accept applications year-round from eligible organizations. A brief Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is used to determine whether your organization will be invited to complete a full application. Please expand and carefully review each of the three sections below to learn more

Our priority social impact sectors

We focus on investing in innovative, tech-enabled solutions to the challenges and opportunities that matter most to communities in need, prioritizing four social impact sectors:

Cisco Crisis Response

Mobilizing to provide essentials to communities in need and those in crisis, including food, housing, secure connectivity, and disaster relief

By leveraging Cisco’s people, technology, financial resources, and strategic partnerships, we help strengthen community resilience and drive long-term recovery from crises.

Education

Supporting students, teachers, and schools by increasing engagement, building skills, promoting subject mastery, and expanding their capacity to thrive

Cisco is committed to inclusive access to digital skills training and supporting those who use technology to educate. Through programs like Cisco Networking Academy and social investments in education, we create new opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Economic Empowerment

Transforming communities through skill development, long-term career opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to financial products and services

Strategic grants that unlock economic prosperity and growth for individuals and communities.

Climate Regeneration

Building an inclusive, regenerative, and resilient climate future through education, regenerative agriculture, conservation, protection, and clean energy solutions

Our efforts began in 2021, when the Cisco Foundation committed US$100 million over 10 years to fund nonprofit grants and impact investing in climate solutions. 

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

About Us

Created in 1972, the South Dakota Humanities Council (SDHC) provides financial support to public humanities programs. SDHC is a non-profit organization and the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).Besides providing financial support, SDHC offers a variety of educational and literary programs and houses the South Dakota Center for the Book.

Mission

The South Dakota Humanities Council celebrates literature, promotes civil conversation, and tells the stories that define our state.

Vision

The SDHC will lead statewide advocacy for the humanities, working with other partners to foster literary and civic engagement.

Strategic Priorities:

• Expand the community of readers and writers through literary events throughout South Dakota
• Engage communities in thoughtful conversation about our state’s cultural and historical landscape
• Diversify revenue sources

SDHC Grant Program

The South Dakota Humanities Council provides federal grant funding annually in three competitive categories: Discussion, Media and Research. Grant applications for $2,000 and under are accepted on a rolling basis while grant applications over $2,000 are due on February 28th and October 15th . Registered 501(c)3 nonprofits and certain tax-exempt groups may apply. The SDHC also awards financial assistance for Speakers Bureau visits, Book Club to Go and One Book South Dakota discussion; these programs, while not addressed in this document, are further detailed on the SDHC website and our annual Program Catalog.

All SDHC grants must advance the mission of the South Dakota Humanities Council and promote the humanities in American public life. Generally defined, the humanities are fields of study concerned with people, their values, and the human experience. According to the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, as amended:

Because we live and work on the homeland of the people of the Oceti Sakowin (Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota), SDHC strives to acknowledge the stories of our state’s Indigenous people in all we do. We request that grantsponsored projects and programs include Native experiences, voices, and perspectives if appropriate. Further, all SDHC-sponsored projects must include active participation of a humanities scholar, defined as someone trained in a humanities discipline, earning an advanced degree, or an individual who can document their qualified experience in the humanities. 

Community Works

NorthWestern Energy is a community within many communities. We are close to 1,600 individuals working collectively to build stronger communities in Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota through the production, generation and delivery of electricity and natural gas.

Our goal is to be a leading corporate citizen in each of the diverse communities we serve. In 2019, our Community Works Fund contributed more than $2.1 million in economic development, charitable donations and community sponsorships. We are invested fully in the community spirit that connects us in common purpose.

Grant Categories

NorthWestern Energy wants to make the communities it serves better places to live, work and prosper. That's why we're proud to donate to a wide range of worthy causes. We encourage qualified nonprofit organizations that operate within our service territory to apply for donations through our NorthWestern Energy Charitable Giving program. Our local committees review requests year-round and determine funding.

While we seek to support a wide range of community activities, donations will generally be made to those non-profit groups that have the greatest opportunity for positively affecting the communities we serve and are focused in one of the following categories:

Education:

• Education remains a primary focus of the company. Donations to education will primarily be made through university system foundations and scholarship programs. Donations will also be made in support of local colleges, and special primary and secondary education programs in the fields of science, technology, math, and youth leadership.

Health And Human Services:

• Donations will be considered for organizations serving human needs such as the United Way, youth homes and special community health and safety needs. Donations will generally not be made to national health organizations or for medical equipment or research funds.

Civic And Community:

• Donations will be considered for civic improvement, special events, and youth and senior citizen organizations.

Culture And The Arts::

• Donations will be considered for local museums, libraries, cultural centers and the performing arts.

Resource Conservation::

• Donations will be considered for requests regarding environmental preservation including habitat, fish, and wildlife protection.

Purpose

Arts Opportunity Grants are interim grants designed to assist organizations present specific arts activities that arise as sudden opportunities during the course of the grant year and for which they could not meet the regular March 1 application deadline. Grants normally fund one-time events which are not part of the organization’s regular season of activities.

Grant Funding

No more than 50% of the total project costs may be requested from the Arts Council. Grants must be matched at least dollar for dollar by the applicant. In many cases, approved grant requests will be fully funded. Sometimes, however, grant approval will be for less than the amount requested. The final payment (10% of the grant amount) will be withheld until receipt of the grant evaluation.

This grant is designed primarily for organizations that are not current SDAC grant recipients; however, organizations receiving Arts Challenge, Importation of Musicians, and Project grant support will be granted an exception and considered for funding if, and only if, they meet the following condition: the special, one-time project for which funds are sought falls outside the scope of an organization’s usual and customary activities. Arts Challenge grant recipients, in particular, must specifically address in the grant narrative, why the proposed activity is uniquely different from the organization’s normal season of events.

Criteria for Awarding Grants

Applications are reviewed by staff with consideration given to:

• Eligibility of both the project and the organization.
• Complete description of the project.
• Contribution to overall quality of the arts in applicant’s community or region.
• Indication of need for SDAC support.
• Realistic budget showing a strong commitment by the organization and cash support from other public and private sources.

Purpose

The Excursion Program provides matching funds to South Dakota organizations to assist in transportation costs for taking K-12 students and persons with disabilities to programs co-sponsored by the South Dakota Arts Council in another town.

Each Excursion must include a minimum of eight K-12 students and/or persons with disabilities, traveling to an event outside their home town. [The former mileage requirement has been eliminated.] If private cars are used, it is expected that at least four people, including a chaperone, will be transported in each. In special cases involving the transportation of persons with disabilities or special needs students, excursion funds may be used even if the event is in the same town. Please contact the Arts Council office to determine if your situation meets that exception.

Grant Funding

Up to 50% of the total amount of cash transportation cost will be paid by the Council. 

If private vehicles are used for the Excursion, transportation cost should be computed using the state rate per mile. If an alternative mode of transportation is used (i.e. charter bus, rental van, etc.), a copy of the rental agreement which includes the transportation cost, must be submitted with this application.

Purpose

Technical Assistance to South Dakota nonprofit arts organizations provides matching funds for specialists to advise groups on technical matters, specific programs, projects, and/or administrative functions, provided that this expertise is not available within the organization.

Assistance specifically related to technology issues such as use of the internet, web design and other computer expertise may be funded in this category.

Consultant’s responsibility is to offer advice and suggestions toward solving an organization’s problems and, if applicable, to help train or advise staff members to carry out the suggestions. A board or staff member should be assigned to work with the consultant to implement recommendations.

Consultant may be the organization’s choice (provided that person is, in the judgment of the Council, a qualified professional) or, if the organization requests, Council staff will recommend a number of consultants from which the organization may choose.

Grant Funding

Assistance may be provided by the Council to match 50% of the consultant’s negotiated fee and travel/lodging/meals at state government rates. The final payment (10% of the grant) will be made upon receipt of the evaluation. 

Criteria for Awarding Grants

Applications are reviewed by staff with consideration given to the following:

• Complete description of the consultation.
• Indication of need for Technical Assistance.
• Qualifications of selected consultant.
• Management and fiscal competence of applicant.
• Realist budget showing cash match.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

Purpose

The Touring Arts Program widens distribution of the arts and offers new opportunities to artists, arts producing organizations and audiences.

The funding category is designed to:

• Provide quality arts programming to schools and communities.
• Help make the arts available in all regions of the state.

Artist Availability

Touring Arts programs are listed in the Touring Arts Roster on the South Dakota Arts Council website.

Grant Funding

Matching funds up to 50% of the program cost may be awarded to Touring Arts sponsors; however, support is subject to availability of funds allocated from state and federal sources. Please make arrangements to book Touring Arts programs as soon as possible to secure Arts Council funding.

Leo Niessen lived in Abington Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In 1993, his foundation was funded from a testamentary bequest. He was a charitable man who also made substantial philanthropic gifts to Holy Redeemer Hospital during his lifetime. He had a special affinity for Red Cloud Indian School of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. To this day, the Co-Trustees of his foundation continue to support this school, as well as the Holy Redeemer Hospital and The Society for the Propagation of the Faith. All grants are made in memory of Leo Niessen and his family.MissionTo provide grants to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations supporting charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes.Program areas

• Arts, culture and humanities
• Education
• Environment/animals
• Health 
• Human services 
• Public/society benefit 
• Religion

South Dakota Arts Council

South Dakota Arts Council encourages the development of new projects and those which strengthen existing arts programs.

The SDAC funds quality arts projects that:

• Employ professional artists, especially those living in South Dakota.
• Focus on underdeveloped arts disciplines.
• Recognize and relate to the cultural needs of the state and community.
• Make the arts available to new, minority, and geographically isolated audiences.
• Bring the arts into schools with the support of the local school.
• Reach beyond a town’s boundaries to attract new audiences.
• Train local talent to follow through on future projects.
• Include financial contributions from participants of workshops.
• Advance the role of the arts in economic development efforts.
• Enhance cultural and heritage tourism.

Project Grant

Project Grants assist South Dakota nonprofit organizations in presenting an activity in any arts discipline(s) that serves the general public and meets specific needs of the applicant organization. 

The funding category is designed to:

• Enable nonprofit organizations in South Dakota to reach the public more effectively through special arts projects.
• Recognize and assist artistic endeavors of excellence that contribute to quality of life in the applicant’s community or region.
• Accommodate projects with creative/innovative potential

Purpose

The Artists in Schools & Communities residency program supports teaching artist residencies to enhance the educational process and provide inroads to learning that are engaging, creative, and meaningful. The intent of the program is to enrich and support quality education, not to supplant or substitute school-based arts education programs or services more appropriately provided by state certified arts instructors.

Artists In Schools & Communities is designed to:

• Provide students and communities an opportunity to work with and learn from a professional artist.
• Assist in the development of a school/community commitment to the arts as basic to education and life-long learning.
• Serve teachers by providing a resource person in a specific arts discipline who can help develop methods of creative teaching and assist schools/teachers in meeting educational content standards.
• Serve communities by providing artists to assist with community betterment, i.e. artistic and environmental design projects, theater residencies, murals, classes and workshops, etc.
• Support individual artists by providing time during the residency to pursue their own artistic development.

AISC grants support schools and non-profit organizations hosting teaching artists from the roster. Artists must apply to join the South Dakota Arts Council’s teaching artist roster.

Artists’ fees are supported on a matching funds basis between the sponsoring organization and the SD Arts Council. The cost to a participating school does not necessarily have to come from the existing school budget. A private business or individual may provide matching funds, as well as parent-teacher groups, service clubs, local arts organizations, special fundraising events, or any combination.

What is a Teaching Artist?

A teaching artist is an artist-educator, who can translate their creative process into an instructional setting. Nationally recognized teaching artist and author Eric Booth developed the following definition: “A teaching artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills and sensibilities of an educator, who engages people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts.” Teaching artists represent all arts disciplines: dance, music, opera, theater, visual arts, design arts, crafts, photography, media arts, literature, traditional arts, folk arts, humanities, multidisciplinary arts, or any combination of the above.

Teaching artists are an invaluable resource for schools and communities and greatly contribute to the overall process of learning. Ways in which teaching artists intersect with schools and community-based organizations may include:

• Short and long-term in-school and after-school residencies.
• Arts integration instruction that supports higher order thinking skills in which students learn math, science, language arts and social studies through visual art, music, dance and/or theatre.
• Curriculum-based projects using K-12 arts and non-arts education standards.
• Core arts instruction in visual art, dance, theatre, and/or music.
• Professional development for educators.
• Lifelong learning in the arts through community events, classes, and workshops.

About the Foundation

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations. We believe that impact is best accomplished through partnerships with local organizations that know the people and communities they serve. We invest in and support efforts to protect the environment, further conservation and preservation initiatives, and save historical architecture that preserves community heritage. We also support initiatives that promote wellness and mental health and organizations seeking to provide and further education for all communities.

Annual Grant Focus

Each year, we seek to partner with and support non-profit organizations making an impact in the focus areas listed here.  The focus areas for 2025 are:

• Animal Wellbeing: We are dedicated to helping nonprofit organizations that nurture compassion and respect for all living animals. We must have animal-focused organizations that advocate for animal rights and provide humane treatment across all spectrums.
• Early Childhood Education: We are looking for schools that are providing young children with a creative and balanced approach to education. Things we love in early childhood curriculums:
  • Life Skills
  • Collaboration With Their Peers and Teachers   
  • Having Fun   
  • Montessori Teachings   
  • Project Based Teachings   
  • Diversity   
  • More Time Outside   
  • Less Screen Time
• Teachers: Teachers are essential to providing children with the best possible education. We must invest in their future and are always looking for teams that help them succeed in educating future generations.
• Get Outside: Being outside can improve memory, fight depression, lower blood pressure, and more! We support organizations that facilitate and encourage more outdoor activities that help create healthier communities. 

About Us - South Dakota Dental Association

The South Dakota Dental Association is the membership organization of dentists and allied dental staff in South Dakota. The SDDA has nearly 500 dentist members and more than 500 allied dental staff members statewide. Founded in 1883, the SDDA's mission is to promote the art and science of dentistry and the oral health of the public; educate the public on the benefits of quality preventive and restorative dentistry as provided by the entire dental health care team; and be of service to its members regarding practice health and their general welfare.

Mission Statement - South Dakota Dental Foundation 

The mission of the South Dakota Dental Foundation is to improve the oral health of all South Dakotans by educating dental professionals; by educating the public; by aiding in developing the future dental workforce; and, by serving individuals with dental needs. The South Dakota Dental Foundation is a nonprofit public foundation (501(c) (3) organization) formed by interested members of the South Dakota Dental Association to benefit the general public.

South Dakota Dental Foundation Grants

 Contributions are awarded for:

• dental health projects for the underserved
• dental and auxiliary student activities and scholarships
• dental education programs for the dental professional and the public
• continuing education and promotion of professional ethics
• recruitment of dentists and dental students to South Dakota 

Ecosystem Grants

The Bush Foundation works to inspire and support creative problem solving — within and across sectors — to make our region better for everyone. We know problem solving is hard. Our Ecosystem grant program provides operating support to the organizations that support the people doing this work.

Some might call these infrastructure organizations or intermediary organizations or just can’t-do-without organizations. We call them Ecosystem organizations because they create the environment needed for organizations and leaders to solve problems. 

The Ecosystem program primarily supports organizations helping people solve problems across a number of issues, rather than orgs focused on a particular issue area. The exceptions to this are organizations working on spreading student-centered learning or using the arts to address community challenges. (These exceptions reflect our long-standing commitments to education and the arts.) We also want to make sure we are funding organizations focused on Native nation building in ways that support sovereignty. 

What We Fund

We award Ecosystem grants to organizations that other organizations and leaders within our region rely heavily on to do one or more of the following:

• Provide critical data and analysis.
• Advance public awareness and policy.
• Spread great ideas and build capacity.
• Build and support leadership networks.

Ecosystem grantees work across a variety of issues, or on one of three specific issues: supporting the sovereignty of Native nations, spreading student-centered learning, or using art to solve community problems. Organizations may apply to receive as much as $450,000 over three years in operating support. The annual grant amount is typically 25% of the organization’s expenses, up to $150,000 per year. All Ecosystem grantees receive an additional $10,000 in capacity building funds to build or increase their skills to work across differences. 

About GIG Fund

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000-4,000 that supports creative projects and educational events in the Midwest. These funds help organizations present artists in their community by supporting programming and touring costs.

The GIG Fund provides flexible grants for nonprofit organizations to support programs and activities featuring professional artists. GIG Fund grants help cover fees for touring or local artists. Funds may also be used for project costs such as accessibility accommodations and marketing. We work with a panel to help us review applications and distribute grants annually.

GIG Fund

Flexible support to help arts and culture organizations grow their capacity, fund artist engagements, and build community.

What is the GIG Fund?

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000-4,000 that supports creative projects and educational events in the Midwest. These funds help organizations present artists in their community by supporting programming and touring costs. The GIG Fund is a grant that supports Midwestern organizations that want to contract with a professional artist to offer activities to their community. 

Matching requirement

Organizations will be required to demonstrate matching funds on a 1:1 basis for the grant amount.

To demonstrate the match, your expenses should each be at least double your GIG Fund grant. Potential sources for the match include salaries and wages, in-kind contributions, volunteer hours, earned and contributed revenue (donations, ticket sales, other non-Federal grants), or cash from the applicant or partner organizations.

Centene Charitable Foundation

Successful corporate citizenship happens when companies invest in the local organizations that know their communities best. The Centene Foundation works with our local partners on initiatives that focus on inclusion, the whole person and community development.

Vision

Centene’s purpose is transforming the health of the community, one person at a time. The Centene Foundation is an essential part of how we pursue this purpose. We achieve measurable impact for the communities we serve through partnerships and philanthropy efforts that invest in initiatives with holistic approaches to dismantling barriers to health.

Areas of Focus

Reflecting Centene’s commitment to the needs of those who rely on government-sponsored health care and to addressing social determinants of health and health equity, preference will be given to initiatives in three distinct areas of focus.

• Healthcare Access
• Social Services
• Education

Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation Grant

The Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, and scientific purposes. In accordance with the wishes of the donor, the Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation supports only charitable organizations located in or serving citizens of Los Angeles County, California, and South Dakota.

Mission

To support charitable causes in the areas of education, religion, health, human services, and the arts to organizations located in or serving citizens of Los Angeles County, California, and South Dakota. 

Program areas 

• Arts, culture, and humanities  
• Education
• Health
• Human services
• Religion

Grantmaking priorities:

Social service organizations and programs serving the needs of women, particularly victims of domestic violence and women who are mentally ill.

Special consideration will be given to organizations that:

• Were supported by the donor during her lifetime
• Provide emergency and/or transitional housing
• Promote self-sufficiency through education, training, or employment
• Assist women in improving their parenting skills
• Serve the poor and needy
• Support music and performing arts with special consideration given to programs serving high school and college-age students of theatre, vocal, or orchestral music.

Community Partnership Award

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good.

Each year, the Mutual of America Foundation sponsors a national competition in which hundreds of organizations demonstrate the value of their partnership to the communities they serve, their ability to be replicated by others and their capacity to stimulate new approaches to addressing significant social issues.

Six organizations are selected by an independent committee to receive the Community Partnership Award.

• The Thomas J. Moran Award is given to the national award-winning program and includes $100,000 and a documentary video about the program.
• The Frances R. Hesselbein Award is given to a partnership that is addressing social challenges in more than one community, or which demonstrates the potential to be replicated in other communities. This recipient receives $75,000.
• Four other organizations are named Honorable Mention recipients for their programs, and each receives $50,000.

Since its inception in 1996, the Community Partnership Award has recognized 262 partnerships from cities and towns across America. Like so many of our clients working in the nonprofit community, Mutual of America is dedicated to having a direct, positive impact on society.

Our Priorities

We focus our resources on the communities where we work and live. Our funds are for innovative projects and programs that create measurable impacts in our areas of emphasis.

The Foundation will consider requests from qualified organizations to support operating budgets and capital fund programs for the construction, refurbishment or purchase of buildings, structures, equipment or physical enhancements.

Education

Especially early childhood education initiatives and programs that support schools of higher learning with special interest in curricula and capital improvements in the study of business, political science, economics, engineering, and natural/physical sciences as they relate to the energy and industrial industries. 

Health and Human Services

Including initiatives and programs that help individuals and families struggling with daily living challenges, including hunger, poverty, domestic violence, homelessness, and disabilities.

Community, Civic, and Cultural Development

Programs and projects that focus on local, regional, or statewide economic and cultural development, including efforts that increase awareness of culture and the arts and encourage their growth, particularly for regions or populations that would otherwise be unable to participate.

Environment

programs that emphasize sustainability, preservation, environmental education, and stewardship of our land, water, and air with an emphasis on collaborative programs that strengthen ties between businesses and communities.

Gupta Family Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, USA. Our mission is to support organizations that provide focused intervention in the lives of people who have been disadvantaged in some way to help them become self-reliant. We take a very broad view of “disadvantage” to include anything that holds a person back from realizing their potential, such as poverty, physical or mental disability, social alienation, etc. The foundation also supports relief agencies that serve people affected by emergencies such as natural disasters.

The foundation evaluates and awards annual and multi-year grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000 (USD). Our focus is on funding smaller organizations all around the world that are led by individuals with a deep personal commitment to their missions. 

Our selection criteria include:

• Mission alignment
• The organization is run by the founder or, if not, by a successor who embodies the original inspiration, passion and commitment of the founder.
• At least 90% of grant monies reaches the intended beneficiaries.
• The organization is non-sectarian, i.e.,
  • It does not, directly or indirectly, support or condone the proselytization of any religion,
  • It is not supported by or affiliated to a religious organization.

 Illinois Arts Council 

The Illinois Arts Council serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services, primarily geared to: 

Support Illinois' Arts Sector: Operating and technical support provided to organizations and programs statewide helps keep Illinois’ arts sector vital, vibrant, and accessible to all.

Advance Arts Education: The arts can be a part of the education of every single child in this state through the programs, services, partnerships, and collaborations of the Illinois Arts Council. 

Foster Creativity and Working Artists: Resources, opportunities, and direct support for the work of individual artists -- the foundation of Illinois' creative environment.

Illinois State funding for the arts includes programs offered by Arts Midwest.

About Arts Midwest

Arts Midwest advances creativity across our region, building unprecedented opportunity for everyone who calls this place home. We support, inform, and celebrate arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, we work to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Together, we nourish the creative roots of the Midwest—and share our region’s transformative ideas with the world.

This year, we’re pleased to offer two tracks of funding: GIG Fund and GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness.

GIG Fund

The GIG Fund is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 for nonprofit organizations to offer public-facing arts projects and activities in Midwestern communities.

The goal of the GIG Fund is to make arts opportunities more accessible to underserved audiences across the region. Funds may be used for performances; exhibits; arts festivals; public art, or other activities that provide Midwesterners the opportunity to experience art and creativity. This round of GIG Fund grants is for supporting activities taking place between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. There are three requirements:

1) Engage a Professional Artist or Ensemble 2) Offer at Least Two Activities Featuring the Artist(s) and 3) Reach an Underserved Audience: At least one activity must engage an underserved audience—groups with limited access to the arts due to geography (such as rural audiences), economics (such as lower income audiences), disability, or lack of relevant content (such as families or school communities without ready access to children’s or all-ages programming).

These grants are federal funds that derive from the National Endowment for the Arts. A 1:1 match is required.

About Arts Midwest

We amplify Midwestern creativity, building community and opportunity across our region and beyond.

Arts Midwest advances creativity across our region, building unprecedented opportunity for everyone who calls this place home. We support, inform, and celebrate arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond. As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, we work to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Together, we nourish the creative roots of the Midwest—and share our region’s transformative ideas with the world.

This year, we’re pleased to offer two tracks of funding: GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness, and GIG Fund.

GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness

The GIG Fund: Arts and Wellness is a grant of $2,000 – $15,000 for organizations of any budget size whose projects have an arts and wellness focus.  Funds may be used for performances, workshops, programs in clinical settings, creative aging programs, efforts that engage veterans in the arts, etc.  Applicants may only apply for one GIG Fund grant per year.

Arts Midwest recognizes the field of arts and wellness to be far-reaching and applicants should identify how their arts project addresses some element of health and wellness.

This round of GIG Fund grants is for supporting activities taking place between December 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. There are three requirements.

1) Engage a Professional Artist or Ensemble 2) Offer at Least Two Activities Featuring the Artist(s) and 3) Professional Development: With support from The Hearst Foundations, Arts Midwest will offer professional development opportunities to grantees to strengthen arts and wellness initiatives across the Midwest.

Our Mission

The Hansen Family Foundation provides opportunities to domestic, international, secular, and non-secular organizations that support the American way of life, which is defined by the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Causes

Children

The Hansen Family Foundation supports causes dedicated to helping children both home as well as abroad. Learn More

Education

The Hansen Family Foundation believes that a decent education should be made available to everyone, young or old, the world over. Learn More

Animals

The Hansen Family Foundation believes in helping those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Learn More

Environmental

The Hansen Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world we all share. Learn More

Humanitarian

The Hansen Family Foundation views the plight of our fellow man as an opportunity to actively engage and effect change. Learn More

Arts & Culture

The Hansen Family Foundation supports all forms of artistic and cultural endeavors. Learn More

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation Vision

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation, "A Foundation for All", was established in 2002. It was begun in order to give a clear voice for those who wish to be a part of the many, worthy, forces for change in our world.

We are a foundation whose purpose is to look ahead towards the future, giving the past its due by remembering where we came from, and how much we can all accomplish together. We aim to make the critical difference on our planet by recognizing and having respect for our ever changing world. We respect all Life, the Environment, and all People, no matter who they are.

Helping Build Better Futures

Our mission is to deliver great value to our customers every day. For over four decades, our deep commitment to the principles of providing value and caring for others has helped define our culture. It extends beyond the walls of our stores, distribution centers, and offices, and into our local communities around the world. The intersection of these principles defines our global community mission:

Deliver great value to our communities by helping vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.

Our Social Impact Areas

We bring our community relations mission to life around the world by focusing our giving on four social impact areas where we believe we can have the most impact and are critical to helping families and children succeed and thrive.

Basic Needs

We are passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations that help fill critical basic needs such as a warm meal, clean clothing, and a safe place to sleep for vulnerable families.

Education & Training

Our efforts have focused on quality enrichment and extracurricular programs that provide skills, resources, and opportunities to support school and career success for children, teens, and young adults.

Patient Care & Research

We support organizations that deliver services to families and children facing health challenges and life-threatening illnesses.

Empowering Women

We support programs that provide services ranging from help for those fleeing domestic violence, to others that offer education, training, and job placement resources.