Best Pennington County Grants for Nonprofits in South Dakota

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Grants & Fellowships

Fellowships

The Mensa Foundation Fellowship program empowers exceptional individuals committed to advancing the application of intelligence in their respective fields.

Details

Our current fellowship, the Gifted Education Fellowship, is designed to empower educators pursuing graduate studies in gifted education or closely related fields, enabling them to make a transformative impact in their classrooms and communities. The fellowship supports both doctoral and non-doctoral students, with awards and renewal terms tailored to each track.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Grants & Fellowships

Dissertation Mini-Grant

The Mensa Foundation empowers the next generation of researchers through its Dissertation Mini-Grant program.

Designed to support advanced doctoral students, this grant funds innovative studies that broaden our understanding of intelligence, creativity, gifted education, and related fields.

Details

The Mensa Foundation Dissertation Mini-Grant provides $2,500 to advanced doctoral students conducting research on intelligence and gifted education. By funding innovative studies, the grant promotes research that addresses the complexities of intelligence, creativity, and related fields.

Grant Components

This funding opportunity invites research proposals that enhance the management of recreational fisheries, vital for food security and economic stability. By utilizing regional datasets, projects will assess harvest, consumption, and economic impacts while promoting adaptive management. The initiative aligns with key executive orders aimed at improving fisheries management and ensuring sustainable practices. This collaborative effort supports informed decision-making for resource managers, ultimately enhancing the resilience and accessibility of U.S. fisheries.

The NASA Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) fosters essential partnerships to enhance research capabilities across 28 jurisdictions. Since its inception in 1992, EPSCoR has aimed to boost research infrastructure and development capacity, ultimately driving national competitiveness. This solicitation invites proposals that significantly advance NASA’s strategic research priorities while enhancing the science and technology capabilities of higher education and contributing to economic development within the funded jurisdictions.

The First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act aims to equip first responders and communities with the necessary training to effectively administer opioid overdose reversal medications. This initiative, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, addresses the urgent need for immediate response to opioid overdoses, ultimately enhancing community health and safety. By empowering first responders, the program seeks to reduce fatalities related to opioid misuse and foster a supportive recovery environment.

In honor of the late Kim Meier, a top level eventing athlete who made it to the highest levels of the sport through her own grit and determination. This grant is intended to assist those riders who are struggling financially to compete their own horse(s) at the Intermediate level and above who have passed beyond the funding available for juniors and young adults. Preference will also be given to riders that are competing on horses that they bred. This fund was established and funded through the generosity of Kim’s friends.Each year one applicant will be selected to receive a $5,000 grant.

About USEA Foundation The fundamental mission of the USEA Foundation is to protect and preserve the sport of eventing for future generations and to provide support for the core educational, safety, and equine welfare programs of the USEA. In addition, the Foundation administers educational grants for riders with the intent of preparing them to reach their goals.

About Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation Fund

The Full Moon Farm Eventing Foundation Fund provides grants for training and education in the sport of eventing for riders who face challenges accessing such training and education due to financial or social-economic circumstances, exclusion or difficulty due to race, nationality, gender or gender identification, sexual orientation, age or other barrier. This grant is aimed to help eventers at all levels of the sport to encourage riders to chase their goals and keep learning and developing as athletes.

The Essex Horse Trials Grant is available to a developing rider age 25 and under who is competing successfully at the CCI4*-S level and above and who is working towards representing the U.S. in international team competition. The grant is intended to assist the recipient in developing the essential horsemanship skills required for a successful transition from the Young Rider ranks to the Senior Rider ranks. The grant may be used for expenses related to equestrian education, coaching, training, and competing.On behalf of the representatives of the Essex Horse Trials, the USEA Foundation will administer the processes of the grant’s intent. Eligible riders will be in good standing with the USEA. The rider’s performance at the CCI4*-S level and above during the previous competition season will be reviewed by the Essex Horse Trials Grant Committee when making the final selection. The Essex Horse Trials Grant is awarded at the USEA Annual Meeting & Convention in December each year.  Funds must be used within two calendar years following receipt of the grant and riders must keep complete accounting records and receipts for all funds used and submit these to the USEA Foundation by November 30 of that year. 

About Easton Sports Development Foundation IIArchery is an inspirational sport that teaches discipline and brings communities together. However, many organizations face challenges introducing this transformative sport due to limited funding, which restricts their ability to access equipment, resources, and training. The Easton Foundations supports archery across the U.S. and seeks to bridge the gap between initial experiences and elite performance through its grants program.The foundation's mission is to inspire individuals and collaborate with partners by providing resources and services that result in growth and life-long enjoyment of archery.The Foundation supports indoor and outdoor archery facilities at city parks, schools, universities and sports complexes throughout the U.S. and provides programs to train aspiring archers, trainers, coaches and administrators.

About the Operational Grant

The Operational Grant is for those seeking funding to assist with the costs related to the operation of the archery program.

The OJP FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program aims to enhance the capacity of state, local, Tribal, and territorial prosecuting agencies by funding qualified prosecutors who will investigate and prosecute fraud and crimes committed by aliens in the U.S. This initiative also supports hiring criminal investigators and other staff to improve investigative efforts. By fostering intergovernmental coordination, the program seeks to strengthen law enforcement's ability to combat criminal activities, including drug and human trafficking.

The USGS Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program for FY 2027 aims to assist various governments in mitigating landslide risks through comprehensive hazard mapping, risk assessments, and public education. This initiative addresses the urgent need for proactive measures against landslides, which cause significant damages annually. By enhancing community preparedness and fostering collaboration among agencies, the program seeks to protect lives and infrastructure while advancing federal priorities related to hazard mitigation and scientific integrity.

The FY27 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants aim to support eligible entities in assessing and planning the cleanup of brownfield sites. This funding opportunity is targeted at government organizations, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations, allowing for a collaborative approach through Assessment Coalition Grants. The lead entity can request up to $1,000,000 to assess sites, with individual site costs capped at $200,000, promoting effective resource allocation and community engagement.

The FY27 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants offer funding for eligible entities, including government organizations and nonprofits, to prevent, inventory, assess, and plan the cleanup of brownfield sites. This grant supports community involvement, site assessments, and the development of reuse plans, ensuring that communities can effectively address their brownfield challenges. It is essential for applicants to note that funds cannot be allocated for cleanup activities, focusing instead on assessment and planning.

The U.S. Geological Survey's Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center is providing a funding opportunity for research into seabed mineral formation through a cooperative agreement with the California Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of ocean processes and inform resource management strategies. It fosters collaboration and expertise sharing among CESU partners, ensuring timely and relevant scientific contributions to address submarine geohazards and mineral enrichment.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invites applications for its Endowments for Advancing the Humanities program. This initiative aims to enhance the financial stability of organizations dedicated to humanities education and research. It supports projects exploring Western civilization, significant literary works, civic education, and cultural literacy. Grants combine NEH matching funds with private donations, fostering long-term investment in the humanities across educational institutions. Detailed application guidelines are provided in the accompanying Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The FY27 Guidelines for Brownfield Assessment Grants invite eligible entities, including states, tribes, and Alaska Native corporations, to apply for funding aimed at assessing and planning the cleanup of brownfield sites. The grants support activities such as site assessments, community involvement, and developing reuse plans. However, state and tribal universities are not eligible for these specific grants. This initiative by the EPA is crucial for promoting environmental health and revitalizing impacted communities.

The FY27 Guidelines for Brownfield Cleanup Grants provide essential funding for eligible entities, including government organizations and nonprofits, to conduct cleanup activities at brownfield sites. The program aims to revitalize these properties, addressing environmental contamination and health disparities while fostering community engagement and economic development. Applicants are limited to one grant application per competition cycle, ensuring focused and effective use of resources to enhance local environments and economies.

About Us

We endeavor to help individuals reach their full potential, families to thrive and communities to flourish through grants to a range of charitable organizations. To these ends, our grantmaking is framed by two potentially contrasting convictions: that tradition is an important resource and that fundamental rethinking often is necessary to respond effectively to new challenges and circumstances. These convictions arise from the encouragement J.K. Lilly, Sr. gave to his sons to be conservatively progressive. That philosophy was evident in their leadership of their company and the establishment and administration of the Endowment.

LE Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its Serving Neighbors Through Congregational Collaborations Initiative (Serving Neighbors). This initiative has two complementary aims: 1) to enhance the quality of life of individuals and families by encouraging stronger collaborations in local communities between Christian congregations and charitable organizations (e.g., human and social service agencies, youth-serving organizations, arts and cultural organizations, neighborhood associations, and parks and outdoor recreational organizations, among others) that utilize their respective strengths to jointly undertake efforts that address community needs and priorities and 2) to deepen the faith of individuals and enhance the vitality of congregations by providing opportunities for Christians to practice their faith through acts of love and care for their neighbors.

Through Serving Neighbors, the Endowment anticipates awarding grants of up to $5 million each to approximately 60 charitable organizations to develop and implement programs that advance the aims stated above and the following four objectives:

Helping Christian congregations identify and explore compelling human and social needs and priorities in their neighborhoods and local communities (e.g., hunger relief, after-school and educational enrichments programs, violence reduction, homelessness, outdoor recreational opportunities, community building festivals).

Assisting these congregations in building relationships with community organizations and, when appropriate, other faith-based organizations focused on those needs and priorities.

Guiding leaders from these congregations and charitable organizations in their local communities through a planning process to help them develop new and/or strengthen current collaborative joint endeavors that address the identified community needs or priorities.

Providing support and resources to help these congregations and charitable organizations in their local communities launch and, if successful, sustain these collaborations into the future.

Funding Opportunities 

Lilly Endowment will conduct Serving Neighbors through a two-stage process.

Concept Papers: In the first stage, interested charitable organizations may submit concept papers that explain their interest in the initiative and provide initial descriptions of potential Serving Neighbors programs that would advance the initiative’s aims and objectives.

The Endowment will review the concept papers and anticipates providing planning grants of up to $50,000 each to approximately 60 organizations that submit the most promising descriptions of potential collaborative programs. Selected organizations may use their planning grants to develop their concepts and prepare proposals for implementation grants.

Concept papers must be submitted through the Serving Neighbors Concept Paper Submission Form on the Endowment’s website. Concept papers are due by January 19, 2027. The Endowment anticipates notifying organizations of planning grant awards by the end of March 2027.

Implementation Grant Proposals: In the second stage, selected charitable organizations that receive planning grants may submit proposals for implementation grants of up to $5 million each that may be used for up to a four-year period to execute their plans.

Implementation grant proposals must be submitted through the Serving Neighbors Implementation Grant Proposal Submission Form on the Endowment’s website. Implementation grant proposals are due by July 19, 2027. The Endowment anticipates announcing implementation grant awards by the end of November 2027. Guidelines for preparing an implementation grant proposal will be provided with notice of approval of a planning grant.

About Us

We endeavor to help individuals reach their full potential, families to thrive and communities to flourish through grants to a range of charitable organizations. To these ends, our grantmaking is framed by two potentially contrasting convictions: that tradition is an important resource and that fundamental rethinking often is necessary to respond effectively to new challenges and circumstances. These convictions arise from the encouragement J.K. Lilly, Sr. gave to his sons to be conservatively progressive. That philosophy was evident in their leadership of their company and the establishment and administration of the Endowment.

LE National Initiative to Strengthen Christian Campus Ministries at Colleges and Universities

Lilly Endowment is pleased to announce its National Initiative to Strengthen Christian Campus Ministries at Colleges and Universities (Campus Ministry Initiative). The aim of the initiative is to strengthen throughout the United States the capacities of Christian campus ministries at or near colleges and universities to nurture the religious lives of college students both today and into the future.

In this competitive initiative, the Endowment intends to award grants of up to $7.5 million each to approximately 20 national and regional charitable organizations that support Christian campus ministries at or near multiple college and university campuses (e.g., national and/or regional denominational agencies, campus ministry parachurch organizations, collegiate ministry associations, church networks, independent religious agencies) to support programs that advance the aim stated above and the following five objectives:

Assisting local campus ministry leaders in listening to and understanding more deeply the emerging spiritual interests and questions of students and in assessing how effectively their existing ministry strategies and programs are reaching and nurturing the religious lives of young people.

Creating new or enhancing existing programs of local campus ministries to help students explore spiritual questions, build community with other students, discover and test how they can draw more fully on their faith in making decisions about their futures and engage in Christian practices and rituals to deepen their faith.

Fostering more opportunities at local campus ministries for students to serve as Christian leaders and explore calls to Christian ministry.

Engaging in fundraising and related activities to strengthen the financial and organizational capacities of local campus ministries (including creating or increasing pools of financial resources to support local campus ministries).

Strengthening the charitable organization’s own capacities and programs to provide resources and support to local campus ministries and those who lead these student ministries.

Funding Opportunities

Interested charitable organizations may apply for Campus Ministry Initiative grants through a two-stage, competitive process.

Stage 1 Concept Papers: In the first stage, interested charitable organizations that support Christian campus ministries at or near universities and colleges may submit concept papers that explain their interest in the initiative and provide initial descriptions of their potential programs for which they would like to request an implementation grant. Concept papers must be submitted through the Campus Ministry Initiative Concept Paper Submission Form, which may be found on the initiative’s webpage.

Concept papers are due by January 25, 2027.

The Endowment will review the concept papers and intends to award planning grants of up to $50,000 each to approximately 20 organizations that submit concepts that show the most promise to advance the Campus Ministry Initiative’s aim and objectives. The planning grants are intended to assist organizations in developing their concepts and preparing proposals for implementation grants. The Endowment anticipates notifying organizations of planning grant awards in March 2027.

Stage 2 Implementation Grant Proposals: In the second stage, selected organizations that receive planning grants may submit proposals for grants up to $7.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to implement their plans. Selected organizations may request to use up to $5 million in these funds to support the programmatic and related expenses of their proposed programs. Organizations may request up to an additional $2.5 million, which would be subject to $1(Endowment)-for-$1(grantee) matching conditions and be paid on a matching basis, to create or increase a pool of funds to support local campus ministries.

Implementation grant proposals are due by June 7, 2027. The Endowment anticipates announcing implementation grant awards in October 2027. 

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is providing up to $40 million through the NADPRP FY 2027 State Preparedness Funding Opportunity. This initiative aims to enhance state and regional capabilities to combat foreign and emerging animal diseases, including highly pathogenic avian influenza and African swine fever. The program supports critical projects that mitigate disease risks, ensuring the safety of U.S. agriculture. More information can be found on the USDA APHIS NADPRP website.

Governor’s Office of Economic Development

Our Mission: The Governor’s Office of Economic Development drives the economic development environment that ensures the next generation can succeed in South Dakota.

No matter what your economic development needs are in South Dakota, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development can help. We have an array of resources at our disposal – from financing to research, from networking to cutting red tape – that you can use to help your new or existing business flourish.

Workforce Development Program

The South Dakota Workforce Development Program is a commitment by the State of South Dakota to extend education and training resources so that South Dakota employers will be provided with a well-trained and skilled workforce. Through matching grants, the Workforce Development Program funds industry-education partnerships through which customized training programs and short-term, job-specific training is delivered. The Workforce Development Program supports up to one-half the total cost of training. 

How it Works

When the applicant is approved, the award is made on a reimbursement basis upon completion of the training. Awards will be paid on a per-person basis with 85% of the grant paid upon receipt of the initial report and 15% paid upon receipt of the follow-up report.

The National Center for Law and Elder Rights, funded by the US HHS: Administration for Community Living, aims to enhance legal assistance for older individuals as mandated by the Older Americans Act. This initiative will support local providers through training, legal advice, and system design to ensure effective delivery of services. Up to four cooperative agreements will be awarded to organizations that collaborate in this vital legal assistance effort.

The Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program aims to enhance forest health through collaborative, science-based restoration projects on non-federal lands. It supports initiatives that mitigate wildfire risks, improve habitats, and enhance water quality. Grants range from $100,000 to $600,000, depending on project scope, with a 1:1 cost share requirement. Applications must be sponsored by State Foresters, and tribes have specific application limits. This program emphasizes community engagement and sustainable resource management.

The Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for Tribes aims to promote collaborative restoration of priority forest landscapes. This competitive grant supports impactful projects that improve wildlife habitats, water quality, and reduce wildfire risks on eligible rural lands. Recipients must match federal funds with non-federal sources at a 1:1 ratio. The program encourages innovative strategies that align with science-based restoration plans, benefiting both tribal and local communities.

The AFRL/AFOSR-Taiwan NSTC program promotes international collaboration in nanoscience research between US and Taiwanese institutions from 2027 to 2030. This initiative invites joint pre-proposals from teams comprising investigators from both regions to explore innovative materials and nanostructure advancements. With a focus on enhancing scientific partnerships, the program aims to leverage expertise and resources, fostering groundbreaking discoveries in energy-efficient technologies and quantum geometry. Open to all applications, it seeks to push the boundaries of nanotechnology.

The BJA FY 2026 Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence program aims to support states and local governments in covering costs related to postconviction case reviews, evidence location, and DNA testing in violent felony cases. This initiative is part of the Office of Justice Programs' commitment to enhancing public safety and addressing wrongful convictions, ensuring that justice is served and the rights of innocent individuals are protected.

The FY 2026 - 2028 Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from NOAA invites proposals addressing significant natural and cultural resource challenges through collaborative efforts. This initiative supports the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) program, connecting federal agencies with universities and partners for effective solutions. Applicants should review the organizational structure of NOAA's Line and Staff Offices for guidance and coordination on their applications.