Best Grants for Immigration Nonprofits in South Dakota

State agencies, local governments, and tribal governments in South Dakota can apply for Bureau of Justice Assistance funding to support law enforcement and justice system activities related to immigration enforcement and public safety. Grants from Bureau of Justice Assistance help South Dakota agencies address criminal activity involving noncitizens, including investigations, prosecutions, detention, transportation, and support for Homeland Security Task Force efforts.

Researchers with doctorates conducting social science studies on immigration and immigrant integration can apply for Russell Sage Foundation support, with awards up to US $200,000. Grants from Russell Sage Foundation help South Dakota immigrant services and immigration rights scholars examine race, citizenship, legal status, policy, and related outcomes for immigrants and native-born populations in the U.S.

Researchers with doctorates conducting U.S.-focused studies on race, ethnicity, and immigration can receive up to US $200,000 for rigorous social science research, including data collection and analysis. Russell Sage Foundation provides South Dakota immigration and immigrant-rights scholars with funding for projects on immigrant integration, legal status, policy impacts, and racial or ethnic inequalities affecting immigrants and minorities.

Early-career faculty researching U.S. economic mobility, immigration, or immigrant integration policies can seek US $35,000 - US $50,000 in one-year project support from the Russell Sage Foundation. Focused on systemic inequality and access to opportunity, this program prioritizes underrepresented scholars, including those whose work informs immigration nonprofits and related efforts in South Dakota.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in South Dakota seeking support for immigrant and refugee rights, advocacy, or related social justice work can access funding through B.W. Bastian Foundation, with awards from US $100 - US $15,000. Eligible groups must explicitly affirm equality for all Americans, including the gay and lesbian community, and may request general operating or project support.

The IAF Research Fellowship Program, administered by the Social Science Research Council, aims to support rigorous research on community-led development in Latin America and the Caribbean. The fellowship provides a $20,000 stipend for twelve months, fostering innovative solutions to pressing issues such as economic opportunity, migration, and social inclusion. Researchers are encouraged to explore how community-led models can create lasting impacts and respond to global trends, enhancing local resilience and development.

Immigration-focused doctoral candidates in the social sciences researching U.S. issues can receive up to US $15,000 for dissertation data collection, analysis, and writing, including work on immigration and immigrant integration. South Dakota immigration nonprofits collaborating with or hosting eligible doctoral researchers may benefit from projects funded through Russell Sage Foundation’s Dissertation Research Grants program.

With a mission to recognize immigrant contributions, Vilcek Foundation provides South Dakota immigrant-serving nonprofits with US $5,000 - US $20,000 for arts, culture, higher education, and related programs. U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organizations, including those in territories, that creatively highlight or support immigrant contributions in society may be eligible to apply year-round.

Researchers with doctorates studying race, ethnicity, and immigration in the U.S., including issues affecting immigrants and racial or ethnic minorities in places like South Dakota, can apply for Russell Sage Foundation’s core research grants, with awards up to US $200,000. Funding supports innovative, high-level social science research projects; students are not eligible.

Doctoral-level social science researchers studying behavioral science and decision making can apply for Russell Sage Foundation core research grants of up to US $200,000 in the U.S. With a mission to advance rigorous social science, Russell Sage Foundation provides South Dakota immigration and refugee rights scholars with support for research on decision-making in contexts like policing, employment, housing, and immigration.

Individuals born in North Korea, or their immediate family members, pursuing higher education in the U.S. can receive up to US $10,000 for tuition and related educational costs through the Lindsay Lloyd North Korea Freedom Scholarship. With a mission to support immigrant and refugee communities, Communities Foundation of Texas assists eligible students, including those in South Dakota, studying at accredited colleges and universities.

Immigrant- and refugee-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious organizations, and public schools in South Dakota can receive ongoing donations of unsold bread and baked goods to feed people in need. Panera Bread Foundation’s Day-End Dough-Nation program supports food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, youth programs, and similar services that can pick up and distribute items weekly on a continuous basis.

New immigrant students pursuing degrees at Berkshire Community College can receive tuition support through the New World Fund Scholarship, recognizing academic success, leadership, and concern for others. With a mission to strengthen communities, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation offers this opportunity to recent arrivals who have been in the U.S. for five years or less and have financial need.

The J.M.K. Innovation Prize, awarded by The J.M. Kaplan Fund, supports early-stage social innovators tackling critical issues in environment, heritage conservation, and social justice. With up to $175,000 in funding and tailored support over three years, it empowers organizations to pilot transformative solutions. The Prize fosters collaboration among awardees, providing resources and mentorship to enhance their impact. Open to both non-profit and mission-driven for-profit entities, it addresses the funding gap for innovative, high-potential projects.

The PCC Rapid Response Grants provide support for cultural initiatives that aim to shape narratives during critical cultural moments. These grants prioritize projects that engage communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and other marginalized groups, focusing on intersectionality, gender justice, and social equity. Eligible projects include pop culture campaigns, research, and public spectacles that respond to urgent political and cultural events, aiming to reach mass audiences and disrupt harmful narratives.

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.

With a mission to support education, The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region provides South Dakota immigrant services with scholarship opportunities for higher and technical education. Current or former USCRI Albany clients now living in the Greater Capital Region may be eligible, which could include individuals connected to immigration-focused nonprofits.

The H. C. Gemmer Family Christian Foundation, established in 1956, focuses on peace, justice, and racial harmony. With a mission to support ecumenical efforts, the foundation has expanded its assets significantly since the passing of H. Robert Gemmer in 1992. The foundation prioritizes funding initiatives that promote peace education, human rights, and social justice, while providing grants to organizations that demonstrate financial stability and effective community impact.

South Dakota immigrant-serving nonprofits and schools can access funding through the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region to support foreign-born, financially needy high school seniors pursuing higher education. This U.S.-wide $1,000 scholarship backs at least two high-achieving or highly motivated immigrant or refugee students annually and may complement your immigration-focused youth programs.

Immigrant- and BIPOC-led community-based organizations and Tribal nations working on equitable food systems and immigrant services across the U.S., including South Dakota, can apply for Growing Justice Fund’s grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $25,000. Grants support infrastructure, policy and organizing, and traditional food pathways that shift institutional food purchasing toward historically marginalized producers and communities.

The Institutional Challenge Grant aims to foster collaborative research by requiring institutions to adapt their policies and enhance capacities for meaningful partnerships. It encourages applications from diverse leadership teams in youth-serving areas, focusing on addressing inequalities in youth outcomes. The grant outlines four key goals: strengthening partnerships, pursuing a joint research agenda, facilitating institutional change, and enhancing collaborative capacities for producing actionable research evidence.

First-generation immigrant students planning to attend an accredited college or university can receive scholarship support through the Patrick Dillon Scholarship, including those connected to immigrant communities in South Dakota. Focused on immigrant services and higher education, Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation invites eligible students to apply for US $750 toward their studies.

Immigration and child welfare nonprofits in South Dakota can access funding to provide home studies and post-release services for unaccompanied children through the US Dept. of Health & Human Services. Grants from the Administration for Children & Families range from US $1,000,000 - US $50,000,000 to ensure safe placements and ongoing support while immigration cases proceed.

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities and fiscally sponsored projects rooted in BAMEMSA communities can receive up to US $25,000 in general operating support for immigration, refugee rights, and broader civil rights work. With a mission to advance racial, gender, queer, and disability justice, Proteus Fund’s RISE Together Fund backs community power-building, advocacy, and nonpartisan civic engagement efforts, including work in South Dakota.

Mission & Vision

Rochester Area Community Foundation, in partnership with generous philanthropists and community partners, works to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in the eight-county region through its leadership and strategic grantmaking.

Our Mission:

We are cultivating a thriving Greater Rochester region — powered by philanthropy, grounded in community, and sustained across generations.

Our Vision:

We envision a Greater Rochester region transformed by enduring philanthropy, where every person, neighborhood, and future generation can thrive.

Sidney and Carol Aroesty Family Scholarship

Purpose of Scholarship

To provide financial assistance to East High School graduating seniors planning to pursue a degree in any science discipline at a two- or four-year college, university, or technical school.

Number and Size of Awards

One award of $12,000; divided into equal annual installments paid over four consecutive years of undergraduate study. Award is paid in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters.

Patrick Caroselli Scholarship

To provide financial assistance for college to high school seniors in Monroe County whose parents immigrated to the United States and attained citizenship.

Number and Size of Awards

Number of recipients and award amounts vary; award amount may be split between two or more recipients. Award paid in one lump sum in the Fall and divided equally between the Fall and Spring semesters. Average award $5,000; not to exceed the cost of tuition.

Allowed Use of Award

Awards must be used for costs related to enrollment in a higher education program, prioritizing tuition fees.

Nonprofit research institutions studying immigration and refugee rights affecting U.S. youth, including those in South Dakota, can access funding through the William T Grant Foundation’s Scholars Program. This five-year award, up to US $425,000, supports early-career researchers with mentoring and career development to pursue ambitious, policy-relevant research agendas.