Winter 2026 Our Mission:
Bringing philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota.
Distinguished Honors in Problem-Solving Abbott House and Youth & Family Services receive Bush Prize: South Dakota In celebration of nonprofit organizations that are highly valued within their communities and have a track record of transformational impact through creative solutions, South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is proud to honor Abbott House and Youth & Family Services (YFS) with the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota.
“Yeah…I run like a girl! Can you keep up?” Girls Inc. members participate in an annual Ridiculous Red Run. Girls Inc. is a specific program offered by Youth & Family Services.
2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota HONOREES Abbott House - $250,000 Youth & Family Services - $250,000 FINALISTS Fork Real Community Café - $10,000 Helpline Center - $10,000 Promising Futures Fund - $10,000 (fiscal sponsor Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation)
Graduation Day at Abbott House.
Abbott House has been providing safety and shelter for children with nowhere else to go since 1939. It delivers services to children and young adults in Mitchell, Sioux Falls and Rapid City by providing long-term, trauma-informed support that includes the therapy, education, life skills training and consistent relationships they need to thrive. Through a special education school, intensive foster homes and transitional apartments for young adults, Abbott House helps young people heal, learn and build hope for their futures. YFS began providing services in Rapid City in 1965. Over the years it has grown into a cornerstone of support for families in Western South Dakota. Reaching 14,000 children across 31 counties, it provides evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive education, prevention and recreation programs, health-care services, case management (trauma-informed counseling, mentoring, healthy relationships education, nutritious meals, training and technical assistances) and other support services. Abbott House and YFS embody what it means to serve with compassion, lead with creative solutions and build community through generosity. South Dakota is stronger because of their dedication, and SDCF is honored to celebrate them as the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota Honorees. Each
nonprofit organization receives $250,000 to further its mission. As finalists for the 2025 award, Fork Real Community Café, Helpline Center and Promising Futures also receive $10,000. SDCF received 100 applications in this round. “Congratulations to both Abbott House and YFS,” said Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “These organizations exemplify what it means to be a Bush Prize: South Dakota honoree. In every area of their work within their organizations and with those they serve, they have created meaningful, long-lasting change to the challenges and issues affecting their communities.” SDCF will award the Bush Prize: South Dakota again in 2026. Learn more about Bush Prize: South Dakota at: SDCommunityFoundation.org/grants/bush-prize-south-dakota
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