Start a Community Foundation
Give back to the community that has given so much to you.
Community Savings Accounts Create a Legacy for a South Dakota Community
A Community Savings Account (CSA) can be an incredible asset for your community. This fund type enables communities to address needs in economic development, health, infrastructure, education, culture, and human services.
At SDCF, we want every CSA to be a success and make positive impacts within their communities. If you’re considering starting a CSA in your community, consider whether your community is ready. Here are a few ways to tell if a CSA is right for your community.
Make a Difference Start a Local Foundation
All CSAs, regardless of size, act and feel like their own local foundation. That’s because every CSA has its own local advisory council to raise and distribute funds. The money raised in your community, stays in your community.
A local CSA aids your community in getting projects done and meeting goals to improve the lives of residents in your town. Partnering with SDCF allows you to establish a driving force for making a difference. Starting a CSA will allow your community to create a lifelong legacy.
Is a CSA Right for Your Community?
A CSA requires community support. If you are the only one willing to give your time and commitment, a donor advised fund or designated fund might be more appropriate. However, chances are if you believe a CSA will help your community grow and prosper, others agree with you. You will often find community members who want the best for their community and are willing to help out. Ask around.
Take a look at our existing CSA funds to get an idea of South Dakota communities that already have partnered with us.
Existing Community Savings Accounts
Do you have ideas for how funds will be used?
Having a clear vision for ways that the CSA can help charitable causes in your community now will help build momentum in raising funds. More people will be willing to give when they hear about the good things that will be funded.
Do you have a group of community leaders who are willing to serve on the advisory council?
Every CSA has an advisory council to raise and distribute charitable grants. These should be well-respected individuals with strong ties to the community. There is no formal requirement, but 5 to 7 members works well for most communities. SDCF has CSA resources such as forms and guides available to help CSA leaders understand their fund’s finances, grants, and more.
Establishing a CSA could be a perfect fit. Did you answer 'yes' to these questions?
Contact our Development Team and schedule a time for us to answer questions and help you make an informed decision.
Jamie Farmen
Community Development Coordinator & Marketing Manager, CFREJamie has been with South Dakota Community Foundation since 2017. She received Certified Fund Raising Executive accreditation in 2023. Based in Pierre, she works with the Foundation's Community Savings Accounts by assisting local Advisory Councils in their efforts to create a legacy for their area. In the central part of the state, she works with donors, nonprofits and communities to reach their philanthropic goals. Jamie also manages the Foundation's marketing efforts to increase awareness of its mission across the state.
Jamie grew up near the South Dakota Badlands on her parents’ cattle and wheat ranch. She is a University of Wyoming graduate.
Growing up in a rural area, she understands the importance of community to South Dakota’s citizens. Jamie is grateful to contribute to SDCF's mission of bringing philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota.
Patrick Gallagher
Community Development CoordinatorIn March 2020, Patrick Gallagher joined South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) as Community Development Coordinator for the northeast region of the state. Based in Aberdeen, he works with donors, communities, nonprofits, and financial advisors in understanding how the SDCF strengthens South Dakota, today and for future generations.
Gallagher works directly with SDCF’s regional community savings account partners, including the Aberdeen Area Community Foundation (AACF), as well as area nonprofits and individuals. In addition, his work includes a partnership with the Knight Foundation in soliciting grants for their endowment fund benefitting the Aberdeen community.
Pat grew up in Redfield and attended the University of Notre Dame. After college, he lived in the Washington, D.C. area for about 15 years and worked in educational communications and nonprofit public relations. In 1998, he returned to South Dakota to live in Aberdeen. He worked as the Development Officer for the Aberdeen Catholic School System for more than 17 years, where he assisted donors in meeting their goals of supporting the school system through estate gifts, capital gifts, scholarships, and other methods. Prior to coming to SDCF, he served as Resource Development Director for GROW South Dakota for four years, obtaining grants and other funding to support its community development mission.
Beth Massa
Director for Foundation Relations, CFREBeth Massa joined the South Dakota Community Foundation team in 2015. In her role as Regional Director for Foundation Relations, she is responsible for building, managing and maintaining relationships and events in support of the SDCF’s many programs and grant initiatives. Based out of Rapid City, she brings together stakeholders throughout western South Dakota to address issues by implementing local solutions. She enjoys working with donors, professional advisors and nonprofit partners to make charitable visions a reality.
Beth grew up at Fort Meade/Sturgis and graduated from Texas Lutheran University. She is a graduate of Leadership South Dakota and earned the CFRE certification in 2019. Prior to her work with the SDCF, she held leadership positions with Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, Native American Environmental, and the McKie Automotive Group.
In addition to her responsibilities at the Foundation, she is an active community member serving as the Board Chair for the Sanford Underground Research Facility Foundation, Thrivent Financial Strategy team, Past President of the SD Chapter of AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals), Past President of the West River Estate and Financial Planners, and the South Dakota Nonprofit Network,
She and her husband Mark have two grown sons.
Jeff Veltkamp
Director of Development, MBA, CFRE, CGPAJeff is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and Certified Gift Planning Associate (CGPA) with a deep-seated passion for translating donors' charitable visions into tangible realities. Based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Jeff serves as the Director of Development for the South Dakota Community Foundation. In this role, he collaborates with donors, advisors, nonprofits and communities in the southeast region to bring philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota.
Prior to his current position, Jeff served as the Executive Director of the USF Foundation at the University of Sioux Falls, where he guided multimillion-dollar campaigns for endowments, programs, and infrastructure. His dedication to philanthropy was preceded by six years as a retail manager at Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply, where he honed his leadership and customer service skills in Montana and Washington State.
Raised on a Montana ranch, Jeff has a passion for the outdoors and eagerly seizes any chance to immerse himself in nature. He’s a graduate of the University of Sioux Falls with both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business Administration, where his involvement in the Cross Country and Track programs further enriched his collegiate experience.