Investing in Potential: SDHSAA and First PREMIER Bank/Bankcard

Since 2013, the South Dakota High School Activities Association Foundation (SDHSAAF) has partnered with SDCF through endowments to ensure the future of educationally based high school activities in South Dakota.

Because of many generous partners, including a continued investment from First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard, this mission will continue for our state’s young people. PREMIER and its leadership team are committed to providing opportunities for our state’s future leaders. PREMIER was instrumental in creating the Build Dakota and Freedom scholarships which have allowed countless students to attend South Dakota technical colleges and universities.

However, PREMIER’s commitment to building future leaders begins long before a student pursues higher education. PREMIER has been an ardent supporter of high school activities for more than two decades through its sponsorship of SDHSAAF.

“PREMIER can only be successful when the communities we serve are successful,” said PREMIER Bankcard CEO Miles Beacom. “By supporting the South Dakota High School Activities Association
Foundation, we are investing in the future of our communities. What better investment could we make than that?”

SDHSAAF is one of nearly 700 nonprofits, organizations and events supported by the generosity of PREMIER’s employees and leadership. In 2023, the organization provided almost $4.5 million in charitable support.

Since its inception, the SDHSAAF has distributed over $61,000 to maintain and enhance participation opportunities. One example of that impact was the distribution of automated external defibrillators to 10 member schools providing safety for players, coaches, spectators and officials participating in high school activities and programs.

“When you participate in a sport or fine arts activities, you learn discipline and the value of working hard for what you want,” said Beacom. “You also learn valuable communication and leadership skills to help you succeed in life and in the workplace.”

Beacom says giving back is essential to the company’s culture, which PREMIER’s founder and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford created. “Denny always says you have to think past a life of success and work toward a life of significance,” said Beacom. “That’s what PREMIER and its employees strive to do every day. We also hope by supporting organizations like the SDHSAAF, we’re inspiring the next generation to do the same.”