Supporting the Canton Community

About the Foundation

Founded in 1997, the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation was created to improve the quality of life right here in our community. Gifts to the Foundation grow over time thanks to the benefit of a pooled investment that generates long-term asset growth.

Through the power of endowment, more than $100,000 has been granted to nonprofits and causes throughout the Canton area since our founding, touching the lives of people right here at home.

OUR MISSION

The Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation pursues opportunities to improve lives and strengthen our community. Organizations who serve our youth and senior citizens, as well as those dedicated to important causes such as education, the arts, cultural enrichment, historical preservation and more are all made stronger thanks to support from the Foundation.

Our History

In 1997, Caroline Deinema enlisted the support of community members, including longtime Canton resident and local banking executive Mike Broderick, to establish the Foundation following the death of her husband, Jim. Her hope was to honor his life and his legacy of care by helping to improve the quality of life for the Canton community — for good, forever.

Grants

The application period for grants from the Jim and Caroline Deinema Canton Community Foundation opens on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025. Grant applications are due by midnight on Friday, Nov. 28, 2025. 
 

Local Impact

A few of our recent grant recipients include:

• Tri-M Music Honor Society to support operational costs of the Young Band Bootcamp, a day of learning and inspiration for beginning instrumental music students from Canton and surrounding communities.
• Junior Achievement of South Dakota to provide programming to 40 Canton students by helping purchase student materials, digital platforms, and resources for the students in the various programs.
• Lawrence Elementary Library to help with the cost of purchasing new rectangular-shaped tables and stackable chairs for use in the Lawrence Elementary library.
• Canton Depot Foundation to help with the overall costs for the restoration and preservation of two vintage railroad crossing signals for display and enhancement of railroad history at the Canton Depot.
• Canton Small Business Group to help families with the purchase of a light pole banner and bracket for veteran recognition in downtown Canton.  Funds also will assist in banner recognition for those veterans who may not have a sponsoring family member in the area.

Our Board

We're grateful to the following community members who volunteer their time to serve on our board:

• David Amundson (Chair)
• Mike Broderick (Vice Chair)
• Eric Hohman (Secretary)
• Jonathan Toso (Treasurer)
• John Devick
• Steve Deinema
• Sterling Heath
• Cheryl Johnson
• Karla Lems
• Bob Lier
• Edith Nelson
• Leah Peterson
• Brenda VanZee