South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $20,000 to Aberdeen Family YMCA
March 7, 2025 // Grants, South Dakota Fund Grants
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to Aberdeen Family YMCA. Funding will assist with building a shade structure and age-appropriate equipment for an outdoor play area for children under three.
“Our sincere thanks go to the South Dakota Community Foundation for their generous grant, which is making a significant difference at the Glenna & Rodney Youth Development Center,” said Mike Quast, Chief Executive Officer, Aberdeen Family YMCA. “This support allows us to enhance our outdoor playground, providing a safe, engaging space for hundreds of children to grow, learn, and play every day. We are truly grateful for their partnership in helping us create a positive, lasting impact in our community.”
The Aberdeen Family YMCA has been a part of the Aberdeen community since 1922, providing childcare for the past 40 years. In August 2024, the newly expanded Glenna and Rodney Youth Development Center (YDC) officially opened increasing daily childcare services from 180 children to 535 children. As part of the expansion, YDC designed an outdoor area specifically for children three and under to foster healthy development, physical activity, social skills and creativity. This area will be securely fenced to create a separate area of play from the older children to allow for outdoor play for both younger and older children, fostering opportunities for all children at the center to interact, learn and develop in a safe setting.
“Together, we are investing in the well-being and development of children, ensuring they have access to quality care and nurturing environments for their growth,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “We are proud to partner with Aberdeen Family YMCA.”
To learn more about funding opportunities offered by SDCF, please visit our website at SDCommunityFoundation.org.
SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers 1,300 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed nearly $40 million in grants in 2024 which made a tremendous difference in communities statewide. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. If you have a specific cause you would like to support or would prefer to give for the general good of our state, please visit https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving to learn more or call 1-800-888-1842.