Black Hills Area Community Foundation

Our CEO Chris Huber spent several days in Washington, D.C. for Foundations on the Hill, sharing stories about the vital role philanthropy plays in our communities and the importance of supporting the nonprofit sector. Collaborating with partners from the Bush Foundation and the Council on Foundations, Chris met with U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds , U.S. Rep. Dusty Johnson, staff from U.S. Majority Leader John Thune's office, Jeff Trandahl, CEO of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and several others. We're fortunate to have a leader who champions our Black Hills nonprofit sector, both near and far! ??Learn more about Chris's visit to D.C.: https://lnkd.in/dFWW7-wW

Nonprofits, our Spring Capacity Grant process closes soon! Don't forget to apply by March 15.?? The grants provide $5,000 for: ??Strategic planning ??Program evaluation ??Partnership development ??Technology needs ??Staff and board development ??Marketing and donor engagement Call our office at 605-718-0112 if you have any questions. We're here to help our regional nonprofits get the support they need! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gErgvSbg #GrantOpportunity #NonprofitSupport #BlackHillsSouthDakota

See what we accomplished together in 2024 (continued)! ?? Learn about our work in affordable housing, food security, and community-guided grantmaking. Our staff manages these initiatives by partnering with community members, nonprofits, and folks from the public and private sector. Let's continue to do good work together in 2025. ??

See a sneak peak of what we accomplished together in 2024.?? ?? BHACF and donors invested over $15 million in our Black Hills region! A big THANK YOU to the nonprofits, donors, and community leaders who make this important work in the Black Hills possible.

Several members of our team recently joined SD CEO West Women's Business Center for a Women in Networking luncheon! ?? Carrie Robley, Barb Keene, Rae Carlson, and Nicole Schlabach had a wonderful time visiting with women in business, nonprofit leaders and entrepreneurs who strengthen our region. The event served as a great reminder of the importance of collaborating and sharing resources across sectors. #WomeninBusiness #WomeninPhilanthropy #SDCEO #BlackHillsSouthDakota

Our office is closed today, Monday, February 17th, for Presidents' Day. We will be back and happy to help you tomorrow morning!

We had a fantastic time connecting with our current and former Board members this week! It was wonderful to celebrate our growth with many of the people who shaped BHACF into the organization it is today. ?? A heartfelt thank you to our departing Board members, Steve Helmers, a former Board Chair and former Vice Chair, and Elizabeth Zieglmeier, a former Vice Chair, for their dedicated service. We will truly miss their thoughtful guidance and expertise—they will always be part of our BHACF community! #BlackHills #PhilanthropyWithPurpose #BoardofDirectors #YourCommunityFoundation

The Foundation's Strategic Communication Manager, Nicole Schlabach, was in Pierre this week for Rapid City Day at the Capitol as part of Elevate Rapid City's Leadership Institute. While there, Nicole experienced the legislative process and connected with elected officials.

Rapid City nonprofits, apply for a Youth Philanthropy Grant! Guided by the Rapid City Youth City Council, this grant supports programs that meet the needs of youth in Rapid City. ??Up to $2,500 awarded per grant ??Prioritizes programs that address mental wellness ??Applications are open until March 10 Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gXM9Jemj (??Photo shows a Youth Philanthropy Grant meeting from a past grant cycle.) #GrantOpportunity #BlackHills #NonprofitSupport #PhilanthropyInAction #YouthEmpowerment

?Grantee highlight ? Court-appointed volunteers with the Seventh Circuit CASA Program advocate for the best interests of children who enter state custody due to abuse or neglect. ??Seventh Circuit CASA used their 2024 Capacity Building Grant to buy appreciation gifts for their staff and volunteers. These gifts celebrate the important role that each volunteer and staff member plays in caring for their court-appointed child. "If we are trying to provide a sense of safety and permanence for the children, how do we do that for our staff and volunteers?" said Kehala Two Bulls, Executive Director of Seventh Circuit CASA. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d7rgM5UZ Apply for a Capacity Building Grant: https://lnkd.in/gErgvSbg #GrantOpportunities #NonprofitSupport #PhilanthropyinAction #BlackHills #BlackHillsSouthDakota