John T. Vucurevich Foundation

08/11/2026

We've moved!

After nearly 20 years serving nonprofits from our original office on Jackson Boulevard, our Board made the decision to find a permanent home in Rapid City.

Our new address is: 235 Founders Park Drive, Suite 103, Rapid City, SD 57701 ✨

Photos include our last team image at the old office and an exterior image of our new space.

07/28/2026

For years, we've heard from nonprofit partners, community leaders, and residents that transportation remains one of the barriers facing individuals and families striving for economic stability. To better understand those challenges, our Research and Reporting Director Lee Strubinger created our latest report:

It's Literally Limiting: How Transportation Barriers Affect Employment and Quality of Life in Rapid City.

The report combines local data, community voices, and insights from organizations working alongside residents every day to better understand how transportation shapes opportunity in our community.

Read the report and explore the findings:

New Report: It's Literally Limiting: How Transportation Barriers Affect Employment and Quality of Life in Rapid City

07/22/2026

At the July Coaches Network, we welcomed Shawn Burke and Katie Parker from Western South Dakota Community Action (WSDCA). They shared information about their Affordable Care Act Navigator, who helps individuals with marketplace health insurance options. We also learned about the variety of programs and services available at their office, including employment services, workforce development, food security, home repair and modification, coaching and life skills, housing assistance, and health services.

07/17/2026

As South Dakota continues to explore property tax relief and other revenue options, it's worth learning more about how different tax structures affect homeowners, renters, and families across different income levels.

Read our Research and Reporting Director Lee Strubinger's latest commentary to learn more: https://rapidcitypost.com/opinion-the-pennington-county-sales-tax-increase-shifts-local-property-tax-burden-onto-low-and-middle-income-residents/

Pennington County Commissioners are considering increasing sales taxes to reduce property taxes.  Historically, counties governments have relied

06/11/2026

Dione Krush, Kodi Mckenna, and Katie Hauser with Bethany Christian Services presented at the Coaches Network in June. They shared about the ReNew program and their new ReNewed HOPE program. The programs serve pregnant and parenting women affected by substance use through recovery-focused case management and peer support. Each participant is supported by a women’s advocate and a peer support specialist. Both programs are accepting referrals.

06/03/2026

The Native American Nursing Education Center, a program of South Dakota State University's College of Nursing has supported more than 60 Native American students earning BSN degrees and three graduates earning advanced practice nursing degrees. Many graduates are very likely to remain in the region after graduation. For NANEC students, earning a nursing degree is a professional milestone and opens the pathway to a living wage and long-term stability for both their families and community.

"NANEC has helped me grow not only as a nursing student but also as a person rooted in my culture, strength, and purpose. Because of this program, I move forward in my journey knowing that I carry the support of a community behind me and the responsibility to uplift the next generation who will walk this path after me." -- Mateja Sitting Crow, May 2026 NANEC Graduate

Learn more about NANEC: https://ow.ly/eWhv50Z5orK

06/01/2026

The Foundation is pleased to announce recent awards totaling $3,535,000 to 10 Rapid City area nonprofits. All awards fall within the following priority goals: strengthening critical economic pathways, investing in programs that meet basic needs, and strengthening affordable housing for low-income families in Rapid City.

“When our neighbors have access to safe, attainable housing, they gain the opportunity for stability that makes everything else possible. And when essentials are in place, people are better positioned to pursue opportunity and reach their full potential,” says Jacqui Dietrich, JTVF President & CEO. “Our local nonprofits are making it happen, and we invite the community to continue to learn more, find ways to be involved and share in building a stronger future together.”

Recent grant awards went to the following organizations:

$25,000 — Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention
$1,000,000 — Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity – East Creek Village
$680,000 — Black Hills Special Services Cooperative – Workforce Connections
$700,000 — Catholic Social Services – Uplifting Parents
$120,000 — Helpline Center
$40,000 — Journey On
$300,000 — Pennington County Human Services
$250,000 — Seventh Circuit CASA
$120,000 — Western Dakota Technical College
$300,000 — Youth & Family Services

Learn more about these grantees:

$3.5 Million Awarded to Rapid City Nonprofits by Crystal Ortbahn | May 14, 2026 | Affordable Housing, Basic Needs, Early Learning, Economic Mobility Following a recent Board of Directors meeting, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation (JTVF) is pleased to announce recent awards totaling $3,535,000 to 10....

05/14/2026

Curt Lauinger, Community Outreach Specialist with the FBI presented at the Coaches Network in May. He shared about the ways the FBI collaborates with area organizations and how to reach out when a referral needs to be made.

05/10/2026

Join us for a free, hands-on learning experience on June 3rd at The Journey Museum! The day features three professional workshops facilitated by Black Hills Special Services Cooperative and Palecek Therapy and Consulting where the outcome is a deeper understanding of poverty and the real barriers that impact workforce participation, retention, and advancement in our community.

Whether you’re a community member, employer, policymaker, or service provider, these workshops will inform how you see poverty and the path to economic mobility.

Attend a single session or join us for the full day. A break is scheduled from 12:00–1:00 PM (lunch not provided).

Space is limited -- register today👉 https://www.eventbrite.com/o/john-t-vucurevich-foundation-33813536409

05/07/2026

Early Childhood Connections (ECC) and their Starting Strong Program were the presenters for the April Coaches Network meeting. Kayla Herbener, Program Director and Ashleigh Young, Family Outreach Specialist, shared the program’s impact in increasing access to quality early learning experiences for preschool-aged children. In 2025, 215 children benefited from the Starting Strong program. To learn more about enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year, please contact ECC.