Beyond Idea Grant Program is sponsored by South Dakota Community Foundation (in partnership with the Bush Foundation). The Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) Program supports community-based problem solving in South Dakota. It funds innovative projects as well as ongoing, well-established projects that are developing, testing, and spreading ideas to make the region better for everyone.

Beyond Idea Grants | South Dakota Community Foundation Community-based problem solving in South Dakota. Supporting community-based problem solving Beyond Idea Grant Program The South Dakota Community Foundation’s Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) Program has been designed to support community-based problem solving in South Dakota. In partnership with the Bush Foundation, the program will award $1.

2 million each year for 6 years to eligible nonprofits in South Dakota. The program aims to develop, test, and spread ideas that make the region better for everyone and inspire, equip, and connect leaders to more effectively lead equitable change. Each year, we look for projects that demonstrate meaningful investment and engagement in South Dakota communities.

Thoughtful, inclusive projects with strong community support rise to the top. We also consider whether the applicant has the capacity to execute the proposed plan or has a plan to address the needed capacity. Check out our BIG booklet to learn more about the impact previous BIG recipients are having in their local communities and across the state.

Applicants should be a public, nonprofit organization as defined by IRS Publication 78. Organizations may also work with a verified fiscal sponsor who can receive funds on their behalf. The SDCF does not make grants in support of political campaigns, discriminatory practices, or for personal gain.

All grants must benefit communities in South Dakota. Before you start the application, view our sample application (PDF) and sample budget (Excel) . This will help you ensure that you have all you’ll need for a formal application.

Then visit our online grant portal to register and begin your application. If your organization has previously submitted a grant application to SDCF, for any of our grant programs, please use your existing username and password for your organization. Beyond Idea Grant recipients are required to submit a program evaluation at the end of their grant term.

Please view our sample evaluation (PDF) to learn more about the evaluation. Only one round of applications will be accepted in 2026 with grant awards ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per year.

Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) Program Fit BIG Program funds will be used to support innovative projects as well as ongoing, well-established projects that are in the process of developing, testing, and spreading ideas that make the region better for everyone. These funds are also intended to inspire, equip, and connect leaders to lead change more effectively in our state.

The BIG Program is looking for project ideas that demonstrate investment in South Dakota communities. Questions to consider before applying: Is the project community-based? Will the project idea move your community forward?

Is the project realistic and will it meet a community need? Who are the individuals leading the project? How will the key stakeholders be involved?

What impact will this project have on your community? The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF or Foundation) closely scrutinizes all grant proposals for discriminatory practices and will not fund grants that discriminate based on race, color, creed, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, or national origin. BIG Program funds will be distributed statewide.

The Review Committee of the BIG Program is made up of community leaders representing different communities and life experiences in South Dakota. Grant decisions will be made by the Foundation Board of Directors based upon their evaluation and the recommendations of the Review Committee and staff.

Public Nonprofit Organizations The SDCF will concentrate on funding public nonprofit corporations but will consider other organizations that meet grant guidelines. Grant requests may range from $5,000 to $100,000 per year. The BIG Program will fund up to $50,000 per year for developing ideas and up to $100,000 per year for testing and spreading ideas.

No matching funds are required for the BIG Program. SDCF is, however, interested in applicants demonstrating other community involvement, either through other funding sources or in-kind resources provided from stakeholders, partners, and/or community members. The SDCF accepts grant applications from organizations serving as a fiscal sponsor for charitable projects.

Fiscal sponsors may apply multiple times in one year on behalf of different applicants, but only once per year for any single applicant. Checks will be issued to the fiscal sponsor for use by the applicant. All applications will be submitted using the Foundation’s GOapply .

The Foundation will respond to all applicants. All applications will be forwarded by staff to the BIG Program Review Committee. The BIG Program Review Committee will review applications and make determinations, which will be forwarded to the SDCF Board of Directors for final approval.

Communications with Applicants All applicants will be informed by email of any action taken on their grant application. The BIG Program Review Committee will hold decisions in confidence until publicly announced by the SDCF. Re-applying after being denied funding Organizations that have applied for funding and were denied are eligible to apply again in subsequent rounds.

Re-applying after being awarded funding Organizations that have been awarded funding from the BIG Program may apply again if they meet the following conditions: Multiple Applications in a Round If your large organization is considering submitting multiple applications, please contact our office to make sure you are eligible to apply.

Due to the competitive nature of this program, large nonprofits are encouraged to coordinate applications internally. A due diligence form shall be completed and returned to the Foundation before grant funds are disbursed. Applicants shall inform the Foundation office of any significant changes in grant applicant status, organizational status, or project status.

Funding may be increased/decreased based upon the significance of changes in project status. Beyond Idea Grantee Gatherings To foster community building and shared learning, SDCF will coordinate shared discussion times for Beyond Idea grantees to share their work, learn from other grantees, and strengthen networks in South Dakota.

A final evaluation report shall be submitted to the Foundation office immediately following project completion. A grant file is considered complete only after the final evaluation report is received in the Foundation office, and until received, no additional grant requests will be considered. SDCF must verify that organizations receiving funding are verified by the Internal Revenue Service under Publication 78.

Beyond Idea Grants Will Not Fund Operating expense for governmental entities. No SDCF funds will be awarded to pay for operating expenses for governmental entities. Loans.

The SDCF does not make loans. Construction. The SDCF does not fund brick and mortar projects.

Ready to apply for a Beyond Idea Grant? Follow these steps to complete your application. 1.

If you have not already done so, read the Beyond Idea grantmaking guidelines above to ensure you meet all eligibility requirements. 2. Download a draft application (PDF) and sample budget (Excel) .

It will show you what information you will need. 3. Start your application in GOapply.

4. Within GOapply, navigate to My Opportunities and select the "Beyond Idea Grant" opportunity and complete the application. Note: The option to complete the Beyond Idea Grant application will not appear until applications open on June 1, 2025.

5. As you are working to complete your application, click on the "Save Draft" button on the bottom of the page. You will find your incomplete application in the In Progress tab at the top of your page.

6. Submit your application before the deadline! SDCF will only consider applications submitted before the deadline.

In this video series, previous BIG recipients share information about their projects and their experience working with South Dakota Community Foundation and within their own communities.

Southeast Technical College Mitchell Area Housing Inc. Northeast SD Community Action Program Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services Center for Prevention of Child Maltreatment Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud – $75,000 Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud will test a Youth-Led Social Enterprise Incubator.

Youth will identify business ideas and opportunities, learn core business planning skills, enhance core skills like math, writing and goal setting, and ultimately launch pilot projects and services through real world sales events. Catholic Social Services –$100,000 Catholic Social Services will test a home-sharing program between elderly homeowners and adult renters and volunteer support for seniors through the creation of St.

Anne’s Aging Services. Children’s Care Hospital & School dba LifeScape ‒ $100,000 LifeScape will test a “SelfCare” Initiative aimed to improve employee safety while maintaining quality care by proactively addressing and mitigating risk associated with maladaptive behaviors.

Emily’s Hope will create a statewide awareness campaign designed to educate South Dakota students and parents about the dangers of counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl. Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership – $100,000 Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership will build a state-of-the-art commercial kitchen on ICAP-owned property as a part of a mixed-use affordable housing development.

The new facility will significantly enhance the frozen meal initiative and 60s plus dining program. Marshall County Healthcare Center – $50,000 Marshall County Healthcare Center will develop a mobile care clinic program providing family practice care close to home to underserved patients of Marshall County.

Rapid City Club for Boys – $60,000 The Rapid City Club for Boys has identified a need to overcome risk factors that affect the boys ability to succeed in their education by partnering with the Rapid City School District to bring teachers and other professionals to the Club.

Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, as a fiscal sponsor for Promising Futures Fund – $100,000 Promising Futures Fund is launching a pilot College & Career Readiness Program to help underserved students navigate their path to success after high school graduation. South Dakota Bar Foundation – $63,222.

50 South Dakota Bar Foundation will develop and test a virtual platform offering mentorship, training, and resources for attorneys working in rural areas and solo practices. The Bar Foundation will also help build a statewide pipeline that supports students from high school through professional practice in legal and justice careers.

South Dakota News Watch ‒ $100,000 South Dakota News Watch will publish stories monthly highlighting community driven solutions that could help ease the housing shortage and improve communication about available options. These stories will be collected in a permanent, regularly updated feature on their website, bringing together effective ideas already being developed across South Dakota.

South Dakota State University – $32,991 South Dakota State University will expand the South Dakota Rural Libraries Hotspot Lending Program, by spreading their idea to other communities in the state, which allows residents to “check out the internet” through their local libraries. The Compass Center – Sioux Falls – $100,000 The Compass Center will test the first Trauma Recovery Center in South Dakota.

This Center will bring together a comprehensive network of services under one roof to increase access to care, streamline referral systems, and establish an expert center for victims of violence. Underdog Foundation – $100,000 Underdog Foundation will test a food truck operation to deliver meals directly to families in tribal communities, removing barriers to food access.

Western South Dakota Community Action – $100,000 To address gaps in service coordination and the employment challenges faced by parolees, Western South Dakota Community Action will strengthen integration among service providers to improve coordinated case management for parolees and their families.

Additionally, they will deliver short-term, coached work experiences designed to target and reduce the primary factors that lead to job failures.

Black Hills Special Services Cooperative/Compass - $132,000 Eat Well Sioux Falls Mobile Market - $50,000 Family Connections Center Inc. - $100,000 Helpline Center Inc - $95,000 Midwest Street Medicine - $90,000 Mitchell Development Corporation - $100,000 Northeast South Dakota Economic Corporation - $100,000 South Dakota Discovery Center - $77,400 South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition - $73,000 South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault - $100,000 Straight Up Care - $100,000 The Legacy Foundation - $82,350 Alzheimer’s Association South Dakota Chapter – $50,635 Bridging the Opportunity Gap – $100,000 Cheyenne River Youth Project – $100,000 Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Inc – $100,000 Elevate Foundation Inc. – $98,057 Fork Real Community Café, Inc. – $100,000 South Dakota State University Extension – $48,940 Codington County Welfare – $100,000 Southeast Technical College Foundation – $100,000 Eureka Community Development Co.

– $51,620 Health Connect of South Dakota – $70,521 Aberdeen Development Corporation - $26,500 Avera Behavioral Health - $100,000 Beverly Ann Miller Foundation - $100,000 Black Hills Habitat for Humanity - $50,000 Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment - $50,000 Children's Home Society of South Dakota - $74,545 Dakota Resources - $200,000 Early Learner South Dakota - $58,000 Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health Services, Inc. - $100,000 Mitchell Area Housing, Inc. - $100,000 Northeast South Dakota Community Action Program - $100,000 Simply Smiles, Inc. - $82,080 Sioux Falls Thrive - $50,000 South Dakota Afterschool Network - $99,645 Grant Programs Informational Webinar February 18, 2026 Click here to view the presentation from the webinar held on February 18, 2026 Click here to view the recording from the webinar held on February 18, 2026 Since 1998, Ginger has been a member of the South Dakota Community Foundation team.

Nearly a decade of her time at the Foundation has been spent overseeing the administration of grant programs. Currently, Ginger works closely with the Grantmaking Committee to make distributions from the South Dakota Fund, Nonprofit Savings Account, Fairy Godmother's Fund, Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) and Bush Prize: South Dakota grant programs. BIG and Bush Prize: South Dakota are offered in partnership with the Bush Foundation.

Ginger is committed to connecting nonprofits with the funds they need to help South Dakotans. Traveling across the state, she meets with grant applicants, conducts grant recipient site visits and awards grant checks. Stephanie joined the Foundation in September 2024 as Program Assistant for SDCF’s grants team.

She provides technical support to grant applicants and program staff members. Stephanie also works on communication projects related to the Foundation’s program and development efforts. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked in state government and higher education.

Born and raised in Pierre, Stephanie graduated from Black Hills State University. After some time working in the Black Hills area, Stephanie returned to Pierre in 2022. She has three children, two of them married, and two grandchildren.

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