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SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota – The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation celebrates another record year of grant-making. 

In the past fiscal year, the Foundation gave out more than $73 million to nonprofits and causes, a record year of grant-making. Since its founding, the Foundation has granted more than $425 million. The Foundation released its annual report in October.

“We have had a whirlwind year,” said Andy Patterson, CEO. “We saw hundreds of donors give millions of dollars to a wide variety of causes in Sioux Falls. From the big, transformational gifts to the smaller, consistent gifts that sustain our nonprofits, this generosity allows our community to thrive.”

Patterson made the announcement at the Foundation’s annual reception on Oct. 15. He highlighted several projects in the past year that were funded in part by donors through their charitable funds held at the Foundation, including expanded arts and recreation opportunities, a mental health pilot program in five Sioux Falls schools with the Seed for Success Foundation and historic gifts to revitalize areas near Falls Park.

“Philanthropy continues to transform our community,” Patterson said. “Each gift given and each grant awarded happened because someone cares. That includes our donors who give so generously, the professional advisors who refer clients to us knowing they’re creating the next generation of philanthropists and the nonprofits who show up every day for our community by providing services, arts and more that benefit us all.”

In the past fiscal year, the Community Foundation also received more than $66 million in gifts and now holds more than $452 million in assets.

Patterson noted that the Foundation also invested in community training, hosting several events that brought hundreds of nonprofit leaders and board members together.

“Our nonprofit organizations are integral to the success of our community,” Patterson said. “These are the people and organizations leading the work in Sioux Falls, and we want them to be strategic and successful. We’re proud to continue to offer opportunities for learning and connection for these agencies.”

Friend of the Foundation Award

Every year, the Community Foundation presents the Friend of the Foundation award, which celebrates individuals, families or businesses whose generosity and commitment have shaped Sioux Falls in meaningful ways.

This year, the South Dakota Trust Company Foundation received the award. 

For years, Matt Tobin and Pierce McDowell asked every family they worked with at the South Dakota Trust Company one important question: Will you invest in the future of South Dakota?

The answer was almost always ‘yes.’

Today, the team at JTC South Dakota Trust Co. Foundation continues that tradition, helping bring millions of dollars in charitable giving to the state through funds held at the Community Foundation.

“Many of the families they’ve inspired to give to causes here are from out of state,” said Mary Kolsrud, chief philanthropy officer. “These are charitable dollars that likely wouldn’t have found their way to South Dakota if someone hadn’t invited those families to give back here. They have modeled generosity and inspired it in others.”

She highlighted several organizations they had supported over the years, including the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House, CASA and the State Theatre.

Tobin and McDowell accepted the award at the event. 

“We understood the families who work with us, who choose South Dakota for their trusts and choose our company as their trustee, are philanthropic,” Tobin said. “We started to ask, why not ask them to give here? I knew if we could get this established, that the families we work with would support it, and they would support it year after year.”

They established a Donor Advised Fund and an endowment at the Community Foundation and began granting from them to charitable organizations across South Dakota. Tobin and McDowell made the first contributions.

“We led by example, and our clients followed, and here we are, many years later, with a significant fund that is able to support community causes each and every year,” Tobin said, noting how many nonprofits are making a difference. “I’m amazed by the care, the compassion and the patience they put into their work. We don’t say thank you enough to the people working in those nonprofits.”

Tobin also thanked the Community Foundation. 

“It’s so great to see the work you do to connect people and bring those who are willing to give with those who are in need,” Tobin said. “Thank you for having the vision to grow and serve our community.”

The Community Foundation, established in 1984, evaluates community needs and opportunities, builds engagement around important issues and connects donors with purpose.