Beyond Idea Grants

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?

Discrimination

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.

Statewide Distribution

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.

Minimum & Maximum Awards

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.

Matching Funds

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.

Fiscal Sponsorship

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.

Grant Review Process

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:

• The project is complete
• Funds are disbursed
• Evaluation is submitted
• Not for the same phase

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. 
 

Due Diligence

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.

Final Evaluation Report

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.

Verification

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.

 

2025 Recipients

• 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 – $100,000
  • 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.

        2024 Recipients

• 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
• Lost&Found - $100,000
• 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

   

• 2023 Recipients

           Round 1

• Alzheimer’s Association South Dakota Chapter – $50,635
• Bridging the Opportunity Gap – $100,000
• Cheyenne River Youth Project – $100,000
• Lost&Found – $100,000
• Mazaska Owecaso Otipi Financial, Inc – $100,000
• REACH Literacy – $62,400
• SHIFT Garage – $100,000

          Round 2

• 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

   

  2022 Recipients

• 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

GOapply User Guide

Click here to view the presentation from the webinar held on February 26, 2025

Click here to view the recording from the webinar held on February 26, 2025