South Dakota Community Foundation

06/12/2026

Lowell Genzlinger traveled to 80 countries. But home was always . 🌾

After he passed in 2024, his daughter Stacey inherited the family home and property— and his deep love for this community. When she sat down to plan her own estate, honoring her dad through a planned gift to the Burke Community Foundation was an easy call.

"I am grateful to honor Dad's legacy by supporting Burke, a truly special community that he loved so much, and one that has also captured my heart."

Stacey's planned gift through South Dakota Community Foundation will help Burke — one of 90 communities in the SDCF family — thrive for generations to come. Thank you, Stacey. What a beautiful tribute to your dad. 💛

Know someone who'd love to learn about legacy giving? Tag them or share this post. 👇

Interested in leaving your own legacy? Learn more: https://sdcfgift.org/
Burke Community Foundation

06/11/2026

A Legacy of Lifelong Community Champions 🏆

Jack and Ruth Cannon left an indelible mark on Rapid City, so much so that conversation about community involvement still circles back to them. For more than 50 years, the Cannons poured their energy, talents, and hearts into the place they called home.

Jack and Ruth were deeply woven into the Rapid City community. Jack emceed countless events, served on numerous boards, and played a key role in major community initiatives, while Ruth helped found and shape the Dahl Arts Center. Together, they volunteered tirelessly at local events and organizations. 🖼️

To learn more about the Cannons, click here: https://sdcfgift.org/donor-stories/ds_jack_and_ruth_cannon.html

06/10/2026

Bringing Fairy Godmothers to Life 🧚‍♀️

For those who are touched by the Fairy Godmother's Fund, help is not a hand out but rather a hand up. When individuals face urgent, critical situations that upend their lives without warning, this support helps them get back on their feet and forge a path forward.

The Fairy Godmother's Fund was established in 2009, born from a women's conference in Pierre where hundreds of attendees donated $11,000 in just one day.

In our most recent podcast, one Fairy Godmother advisor recalls how a grant was able to help a homeless woman move into her first apartment. "The most important thing was that she had a lock on her door," said Penny Porter. "Living homeless, I'm sure that was huge in her eyes. You should have seen her. She was just giddy, just so elated. And to see the spark in her eyes. It was joyful."

You, too, can spread some magic by poofing over to SDCF's website and searching for Fairy Godmother Fund! ✨
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To learn more about the Fairy Godmother's Fund, listen to our podcast featuring Penny Porter and Sally Christenson🎙️: https://ow.ly/EAQS50Z7E4z

06/10/2026

So proud to see two South Dakota leaders among the 2026 Bush Fellows! Celebrating the people working hard to make their communities better for everyone is something we'll never get tired of! Congratulations 🎉

We are snapping, clapping and jumping up and down today as we congratulate the 2026 Bush Fellows! 🎉

Each year, it is an absolute privilege and joy to celebrate 30 amazing leaders from communities all across the region who are bold thinkers working on bold solutions like improving crisis response in rural areas; making healthcare work better for more people; preserving languages and cultural practices for future generations; and finding innovative solutions in economics, housing, media and civic engagement.

Phew! And those are just the highlights! Help us celebrate and spread the word about each of these amazing individuals and their big ideas for making our region work better for everyone: https://bit.ly/4x68UzP

And check back here regularly, because we'll be introducing each individual Fellow over the next several weeks!

06/09/2026

Powered by Purpose: Everyone deserves a chance; there’s nothing technical about it🧡

South Dakota Community Foundation is proud to highlight Southeast Technical College, a Beyond Idea Grant recipient, paving the way to success for Native American students in technical careers.

The BIG Program, in partnership with the Bush Foundation, supports creative, community-driven solutions that move forward.

The application window for this year’s grants is June 1-30. So don’t wait, Apply Now!

Big change starts with one creative idea. What will yours be? 🚀
Learn more about the Beyond Idea Grant program here: https://ow.ly/92Yf50YRme1

06/08/2026

Recognizing our 2025 Bush Prize Recipients: Youth & Family Services ✨

Youth & Family Services has been working to meet the needs of children and their families in South Dakota since 1965. At the heart of everything they do is a commitment to helping children and families thrive as capable, caring, and contributing members of their community.

YFS believes every child in western South Dakota deserves the chance to grow into their fullest self, with a healthy body, an inquiring mind, a compassionate heart, and the courage to build a better society.
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The Bush Prize recognizes extraordinary organizations that consistently engage and lead their communities toward creative solutions.

To learn more about the Bush Prize, click here👉: https://ow.ly/bqgO50Z4Ivx

06/05/2026

A Legacy of Giving: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures

Dave and Kris Downs are passionate about opening doors for students in the . Through the Jacobsen Downs Endeavor Scholarship, they’re helping local youth overcome financial barriers and pursue their educational dreams. 🧑‍🏫

Rooted in a belief that kindness and effort can spark real change, the Downs hope their support inspires future generations to pay it forward. Their commitment is building a legacy of opportunity, learning, and community spirit across .

To learn more about the Downs, click here: https://ow.ly/wAIV50YULOF

06/05/2026

That's right! BIG ideas create real impact for our South Dakota communities. So apply now; let's make something BIG together! 💡

Community-based problem solving in South Dakota.

06/04/2026

Honoring Glenna: A Life Spent Lifting Others🫂

Few people embodied generosity like Glenna. As a founding member of the Fairy Godmother’s Fund, she helped launch the effort with humor, drive, and a basket of her own knitting—part of the $11,000 that kickstarted the fund in 2009. From that moment on, Glenna became one of its fiercest champions, raising money, spreading the word, and ensuring women in need knew help was available. 🧶

Her giving spirit showed up everywhere: sharing handmade gifts, leading Charity Lunches that supported local causes, and tirelessly advocating for students through her decades in education. Named South Dakota Teacher of the Year and a longtime State Board of Education member, she changed countless lives—often quietly, always wholeheartedly.

Glenna believed community service was “the rent you pay for living on earth.” And she paid it in full, every single day.

To learn more about Glenna, click here: https://ow.ly/qg9M50YVjbI

06/03/2026

Preparing South Dakota’s Future, One Budget at a Time

Over the past 55 years, Junior Achievement of South Dakota has developed strong partnerships that work to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. 🌎

Through a past $100,000 South Dakota Financial Literacy grant from South Dakota Community Foundation, Junior Achievement of South Dakota launched JA Finance Park, an immersive, hands-on simulation that allows students to take on adult experiences. Beyond funding, SDCF staff continue supporting JA Finance Park by volunteering during simulation days.

During JA Finance Park, students face real-life choices like finding housing, purchasing insurance, buying groceries, and starting to save -- giving them a powerful look into what financial responsibility really means. 🛒

The success of JA Finance Park is made possible thanks to the 447 volunteers and 88 teachers who helped lead 27 simulation days across South Dakota.

To learn more about Junior Achievement of South Dakota, click here👉 southdakota.ja.org/