Community Impact

$245 Million

Granted to local nonprofits and causes since our founding.

Strengthening Our Community

Since our founding in 1984, we've been helping our area's thinkers and dreamers drive important social impact — creating meaningful change through philanthropy.

Connecting passionate donors with important causes, we're proud to say we've helped grant more than $245 million to nonprofits and causes throughout our community. To that end, we're intentional and focused on:

Passion & Purpose

By connecting and convening donors, community leaders, influencers and nonprofits, along with grassroots efforts, we're helping to build a thriving area where possibility and opportunity are available for all.

Philanthropic Impact

Home to more than 1,000 charitable funds, the Community Foundation helps donors support organizations and causes which are dedicated to making the Sioux Falls area a better place to live, work and play.

Special Initiatives

We also help drive, and recognize, community impact through a variety of special initiatives including:

Our most visionary endowment fund, the Community Fund benefits the Sioux Falls area, helping to meet new and emerging needs in our community. Learn more.

The Community Foundation has a long history of providing charitable fund management and support for major projects throughout the Sioux Falls area, including the Mary Jo Wegner Arboretum, the State Theatre, Stockyards Plaza and, most recently, Levitt at the Falls.

The Foundation regularly awards grants to local nonprofits who are doing important work to serve others in need. The Community Spirit Award recognizes one nonprofit who has used its grant to drive change, engage in dialogue and spark new ideas, making an extraordinary impact in the lives of those it serves and in the community we call home.

Learn more: Meet our 2021 Community Spirit Award recipient.

Designed for high school students who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, our Youth Advisory Council is facilitated by YouthRoots, a nonprofit dedicated to youth empowerment.

As a member of the Youth Advisory Council, teens discover the impact of people helping people, explore how philanthropy can help create important and meaningful change and engage in real world experiential learning opportunities centered around the philanthropic process:

  • Needs Assessment: Participants dive deep to find the most pressing needs in our community.
  • Fundraising: Once participants identify the needs, they’re empowered to meet with professionals within the community to fund raise for the cause.
  • Grant Making: Participants decide which nonprofits are doing the best at meeting the needs. From there, 100% of the funds raised are given away through grants.

Learn more: 2018-19 Youth Advisory Council Grants $10,500 to Local Nonprofits.