Sheldon F. Reese Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Sheldon F. Reese Foundation supports youth, education, culture and human services in South Dakota.

FUNDING AREAS: Youth, education, culture, human services

IP TAKE: The Reese Foundation awards several dozen grants per year to South Dakotan organizations keeping its focus very local in each giving cycle. Unfortunately, it does not maintain a website, which restrictions information about grantmaking guidelines and strategies.

PROFILE: Established in 1980, the Sheldon F. Reese Foundation is a private foundation based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Reese was a South Dakota native, businessman who owned several grain elevators and founder of the Enchanted World Doll Museum. He died in 1991 and was inducted into the Dream Chasers South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1992. Today, John Quello is the foundation president, and Ernest Carlson is the vice president. It funds local efforts for youth, education, culture and human services.

The Sheldon F. Reese Foundation does not have a website to guide grantseekers. However, recent tax records indicate that this funder provides general operating assistance support to nonprofits on a very local basis. It most commonly supports youth causes in local communities. Schools, public broadcasting organizations, Boys and Girls Clubs, intergenerational care organizations and help centers receive this funder’s support.

Grants range between about $1,000 and $25,000 The foundation typically awards a couple hundred thousand dollars or less per year. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on South Dakota communities, especially Sioux Falls. Other grantees are based in the South Dakota areas of Brookings, Crazy Horse and Eagle Butte. Past local grantees include the Cheyenne River Youth Project, Laura B. Anderson Elementary School and the Multi-Cultural Center of Sioux Falls.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. It does not have any submission deadlines or restrictions or limitations on awards. Organizations should contact the foundation by phone about obtaining a grant application form and to learn about what materials should be included with the application. Direct general questions to the staff at 605-336-1699.

PEOPLE:

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