Winter 2026 Newsletter

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 nonprofi t 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.

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

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)

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

South Dakota Fund Grants

From June 1 to December 31, 2025, SDCF awarded 44 South Dakota Fund grants totaling $950,000. The South Dakota Fund is an unrestricted fund that makes grants to nonprofits and charitable organizations across the state in support of culture, economic development, education, financial literacy, health and human services. SDCF also offered grant opportunities for organizations experiencing federal funding gaps from June through December 2025. SDCF accepts applications for South Dakota Fund grants on a rolling basis each year.

The Foster Network

➼ The Foster Network in Sioux Falls received a $5,000 South Dakota Fund grant to help with the expansion of The Closet program. The Closet program provides children entering foster care with a week’s worth of new and gently used clothing, shoes and essential hygiene items. The Closet expansion will upgrade intake and inventory management systems and develop a statewide outreach strategy to rural and underserved regions in South Dakota. The expansion will allow The Foster Network to meet the increased demand for the program.

Beacon Center

➼ Beacon Center, located in Watertown, received a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to help address service gaps resulting from the loss of federal funding. This funding will enable Beacon Center to continue providing both in-shelter and community-based case management services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Beacon Center supports individuals by helping them identify and overcome barriers to long-term stability while ensuring access to shelter, food and other basic necessities. Through ongoing community case management services, Beacon Center assists survivors in successfully transitioning from emergency shelter to independent living.

Rosebud Scholarship Fund

➼ Rosebud Scholarship Fund received a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to support a scholarship program for highly motivated Sicangu Lakota students who want to make a difference in their community. The scholarship program offers incentives to Sicangu Lakota students enrolled in a higher education program. Students receiving this incentive pledge to use their education to create the change they want to see on their home reservation. Students are provided with peer mentorships and professional development opportunities as part of the program.

South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault

➼ A South Dakota Fund grant of $50,000 was awarded to South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault (The Network) as part of SDCF’s Federal Funding Gap Initiative. Funding will assist The Network with the continuation and expansion of two statewide projects. These projects will allow The Network the ability to travel across South Dakota providing free hands-on training, assistance, leadership and guidance to ensure the best possible services are provided to families.

SDCF launched three new initiatives in 2026 focused on Child Well-being, Housing, and Workforce Development. These initiatives are supported through the South Dakota Fund alongside SDCF’s traditional areas of focus. Learn more about the South Dakota Fund at: SDCommunityFoundation.org/Grants

Beyond Idea Grant & NSA

Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) Program

SDCF’s BIG program is designed to support community-based problem solving in South Dakota, in partnership with the Bush Foundation. The program aims to develop, test and spread ideas that make the region better for everyone and inspire, equip and connect leaders to more effectively lead equitable change in South Dakota. Since 2022, SDCF has awarded nearly $4.8 million from the BIG program.

2025 BIG Recipients

Boys & Girls Club of Rosebud

$75,000

Catholic Social Services

$100,000

Children’s Care Hospital & School dba LifeScape

$100,000

Emily’s Hope

$100,000

Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership

$100,000

Marshall County Healthcare Center

$50,000

Rapid City Club for Boys

$60,000

Promising Futures Fund

(fiscal sponsor Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation)

$100,000

South Dakota Bar Foundation

$63,222.50

South Dakota News Watch

$100,000

South Dakota State University

$32,991

The Compass Center

$100,000

Underdog Foundation

$100,000

Western South Dakota Community Action

$100,000

Endowment Challenges Met by Nonprofi

SDCF’s Nonprofit Savings Account (NSA) grant program challenges nonprofits in South Dakota to build endowment funds, creating a sustainable revenue source for their organizations for years to come. Successful applicants will receive $1 from SDCF for every $4 raised (1:4 match) up to $20,000. In 2025, five organizations completed fundraising to establish $100,000 endowment funds at SDCF. As these funds grow, so does the amount these organizations will receive in perpetuity. See each of their logos listed here.

 SDCF recently awarded a $50,000 BIG to Marshall County Healthcare Center, located in Britton, to develop and test the viability of a mobile care clinic that would provide family practice care closer to home for underserved patients.

BIG recipients are working to identify needs within their community and using problem-solving solutions to address these issues by partnering with key stakeholders. In 2025, SDCF awarded nearly $1.2 million to nonprofit organizations from the BIG program.

According to CEO Nick Fosness, “Marshall County Healthcare Center Avera’s leadership team is always seeking creative new ways to provide quality care close to home. A mobile clinic to serve surrounding communities fits our mission and vision. We are eager to find out if there is a demand in our market, and whether the service is financially viable. The South Dakota Community Foundation’s Beyond Idea Grant funds will give us the opportunity to gather data and community input to responsibly determine if a mobile health clinic would be beneficial and sustainable in our market.”

SDCF will award $1.2 million from the BIG program again in 2026.

$500,000 Perpetual Scholarship Fund to Benefi t Rural South Dakota Students for Generations

Thanks to the long-standing generosity and vision of Wayne (Philip High School, PHS, 1957) and Gwynn Hansen, rural South Dakota students will continue to benefit from college scholarships designed to support careers in nursing, education and the skilled professions — for generations to come.

The Hansen Scholarship Fund, established through SDCF, now exceeds $500,000 and has awarded over $130,000 in scholarships to date. This permanent endowment is dedicated to providing annual scholarships for PHS graduates, helping them pursue meaningful careers that strengthen our communities.

“Years ago, we decided that the best way we could give something back to the community — and make a lasting impact — was through scholarships for graduating seniors,” Wayne said.

Vivian Hansen Education Scholarship

➼ In 2003, Wayne and Gwynn created a second scholarship in memory of Wayne’s mother, Vivian Hansen (PHS 1937). A mother of ten who earned her Master’s degree in education with a focus on special education, Vivian’s legacy lives on in this scholarship.

Murphy/Hauk Vocational Scholarship

➼ Recognizing the growing need for skilled professionals in rural communities, the Hansens more recently established a third scholarship for students pursuing a technical twoyear degree program. This scholarship honors longtime PHS ag teachers and Philip FFA Chapter leaders Francis “Murph” Murphy and Doug Hauk.

“Education changes lives,” Gwynn said. “This fund is our way of making sure students from rural South Dakota always have that opportunity.”

Honoring Family and Community Leaders Through Education

The fund consists of three distinct scholarships, each created to honor individuals who made a lasting impression on the Hansen family and the Philip community:

Cecile Marie Hansen Nursing Scholarship

➼ Established in 1998, this scholarship honors Wayne’s sister, Cecile Marie Hansen (PHS 1960), a dedicated and compassionate nurse whose career was tragically cut short by cancer.

A Legacy That Will Last Forever

In partnership with SDCF, the Hansens recently added $100,000 to their endowment, bringing the total to over $500,000. The fund is invested for long-term growth and is structured to provide scholarships in perpetuity, ensuring its impact continues for generations of PHS students to come.

“These scholarships have eased the financial burden for so many local students,” said Pamela DeJong, PHS guidance counselor and scholarship committee chair. “Many recipients return home to strengthen our rural communities with the skills they’ve gained.”

To date, the Hansen scholarships have supported students pursuing degrees and careers in nursing, teaching and skilled professions — fields that continue to shape and support South Dakota’s rural communities in vital ways.

Donald B. Urquhart Leaves Lasting Legacy for Huron Community

Because of the late Donald Urquhart‘s generosity, local nonprofits will benefit for years to come through the Donald Urquhart Huron Community Fund, a sub-fund of the Huron Community Foundation (HCF) held with SDCF.

A lifelong Huron native, Don was the only child of Bruce and Pearl Urquhart. From an early age, he showed determination and a strong work ethic—earning recognition from the U.S. Treasury Department for selling over 52,000 war stamps as a teenager. After graduating from Huron High School, Don studied at Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis before serving proudly in the U.S. Army Ordnance during the Korean War era. He later earned an engineering degree from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Following his education, Don returned to Huron to join the family’s automobile business, D. Urquhart and Sons, founded in 1919. He became well known for his mechanical expertise and dedication to customers, often helping friends and neighbors with their vehicles after hours. Over the years, Don also managed other business ventures before retiring in 1987. Though disciplined with finances, he enjoyed the rewards of travel, concerts, tasty food and time spent with friends. His adventures took him around the world, from Japan and Germany to cruises and road trips across the United States.

Don gave generously of his time and talents to the Huron community. He was active in First Presbyterian Church, receiving the Hinen Award for volunteerism, and celebrated more than 70 years as a Mason. Known for his kindness, humility and storytelling, he built a life full of friendship and service. Don will be remembered as a man of accomplishment,

SDCF a TopPerforming U.S.

Community Foundation

➼ In its 2023 Census of Community Foundations, the Community Foundation Research and Training Institute (CFRTI) identified SDCF as the fastest growing U.S. community foundation from 2018 to 2023 for the 148 community foundations managing assets over $100 million. In addition, among all 900 community foundations nationwide, SDCF ranks 37th in total assets. The full report is available at CFRTI’s website: www.cfrti.com/researchavailable

a true gentleman and a generous soul whose quiet impact will live on.

Because of his gift, HCF’s advisory council will make distributions to local charitable causes and nonprofits for years to come with preference given to musical efforts.

2026 Charitable Giving Tax Law Changes in One Big Beautiful Bill Act

» Non-itemizers can claim a charitable deduction for cash contributions capped at $2,000 for joint filers ($1,000 for individuals). Gifts to donor advised funds do not qualify.

» Contribution limit of 60% of AGI for cash gifts made to qualified charities for itemizers made permanent. (Five-year carryforward remains.)

» Standard deduction increased to $31,500 for joint filers for 2025 ($23,625, head of household; $15,750, single) and indexed to inflation in future years. (Opportunities continue for “bunching” or “lumping” charitable contributions using donor advised funds.)

» Estate and gift tax exemption increased to $15 million for 2026, indexed to inflation in future years. (More than 99% of estates will not be subject to estate tax, making lifetime charitable giving the primary way to receive a tax deduction.)

» New floor for charitable deduction: for itemizers, charitable donations must exceed a floor of 0.5% of AGI to be claimed as a deduction.

The information provided is not professional tax advice. Please consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.

SDCF Board Action

➼ At its October 2025 meeting, the SDCF Board of Directors elected new officers and directors. Former Gov. Dennis Daugaard of Garretson was elected chair, Donald L. Roby of Watertown, vice chair, and Bob Sutton of Sioux Falls, treasurer. Daugaard, who served as South Dakota’s governor from 2011 to 2019, joined the SDCF board in 2019. Roby joined in 2022, and Sutton, former SDCF executive director, in 2020. Suzanne (Martin) Feist of Rapid City and Robert J. Fouberg of Aberdeen joined the board. Both bring exceptional leadership and a shared dedication to strengthening communities across South Dakota.

SUZANNE FEIST grew up in Brookings and earned her Business Management degree from the University of South Dakota in 1989, followed by a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame in 1992. After seven years practicing law, she devoted her time to raising her family and serving her community. She and her husband Don have lived in Rapid City for more than 34 years, raising five children and engaging deeply in the Black Hills through their grocery business. She volunteers with LOVE Inc. of the Black Hills, her church and the Rapid City Catholic School System.

ROBERT FOUBERG is Chairman and CEO of Dacotah Bank and its parent company, Dacotah Banks, Inc., based in Aberdeen. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Augustana University, Juris Doctor from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His career spans private law practice, policy work in Washington, D.C., and leadership within the banking industry. Fouberg also serves on the boards of Avera Health, Enterprise 605, the American Bankers Association Foundation and Aberdeen Area Community Foundation.

The board also bid farewell to Dennis Batteen of Aberdeen who retired after serving the maximum three terms. He joined in 2016.

2026 State of the Foundation

➼ In an online presentation in early February, SDCF President & CEO Stephanie Judson offered a look at the state of the Foundation for 2026. She covered grantmaking highlights, scholarship impact, development updates, financial insights and other news. A recording of the presentation may be found at: www.SDCommunityFoundation.org/StateofFoundation2026

SDCF Leadership