Dakota Charitable Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Dakota Charitable Foundation supports education and human services causes in Rapid City, South Dakota.

FUNDING AREAS: Education, human services

IP TAKE: This is one of the largest grantmakers in South Dakota, yet not a particularly accessible one for local grantseekers. It does not maintain a website restricting transparency.

PROFILE: Established in 1992, the Dakota Charitable Foundation (DCF) is a private grantmaking foundation based in Rapid City, South Dakota. This is the foundation of the late Margaret Hillenbrand Lally, who was active in the Rapid City community after moving here from Indiana and later Pittsburgh to live with her brother. Lally, who passed away in 2011, was dedicated to making downtown Rapid City a better place to live for all residents. Today, the foundation funds local efforts for education and human services.

The Dakota Charitable Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. But according to past tax records, DCF is one of the top grantmakers in the state of South Dakota. Members of the Hillenbrand family serve as directors of the foundation to award general operating support and program support to nonprofits in the area. While education and human services are the foundation’s primary interests, DCF has also awarded grants for Catholic religious causes, mental health, and community improvement.

Grants range between about $2,000 and $1 million. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking largely focuses on Rapid City, South Dakota. Other geographic interests are Indiana, Colorado, and California. Past local grantees include SD School Mines & Tech, Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, and Behavioral Management Systems.

This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. Instead, DCF only awards grants to pre-selected charitable organizations. Direct general questions to the staff at 605-341-3620.

PEOPLE:

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