Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in South Dakota
107 grantmaking foundations headquartered in South Dakota, holding $2.1B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 14 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esther and Harold Mertz Foundationsince 2000 | Sioux Falls, SD | $54M9 grants · 2024 | $15K | Yes | $666M |
| Waitt Foundationsince 1994 | N Sioux City, SD | $9.9M42 grants · 2024 | $1,290 | Preselected only | $136M |
| John T Vucurevich Foundationsince 2006 | Rapid City, SD | $8.0M1 grants · 2025 | $8.0M | Yes | $154M |
| Pine Rock Foundation Incsince 1992 | Sioux Falls, SD | $5.8M35 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $94M |
| The Aditi Foundationsince 2021 | Sioux Falls, SD | $5.4M19 grants · 2024 | $140K | Preselected only | $4.3M |
| Robert and Rita Elmen Foundationsince 2006 | Sioux Falls, SD | $4.4M57 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $86M |
| Black Spring Foundation Incsince 2014 | Sioux Falls, SD | $4.2M12 grants · 2025 | $323K | Preselected only | $18M |
| David H Billion Foundationsince 2022 | Sioux Falls, SD | $4.0M2 grants · 2025 | $2.0M | Preselected only | $14M |
| C H Robinson Worldwide Foundationsince 2007 | Sioux Falls, SD | $4.0M87 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $18M |
| Branches Foundationsince 2000 | Sioux Falls, SD | $3.8M34 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $28M |
| Houston Family Foundationsince 2006 | Sioux Falls, SD | $2.7M44 grants · 2024 | $35K | Preselected only | $58M |
| Rh Growth Foundationsince 2024 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.9M4 grants · 2025 | $374K | Preselected only | $4.8M |
| Milo Stip Charitable Remainder Unitrustsince 2010 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.8M2 grants · 2025 | $888K | Preselected only | $38M |
| Raft Charitable Foundationsince 2009 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.6M31 grants · 2025 | $30K | Preselected only | $25M |
| Blythe Brenden-Mann Foundationsince 2006 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.6M11 grants · 2024 | $20K | Preselected only | $22M |
| Larson Foundationsince 1991 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.4M29 grants · 2024 | $30K | Yes | $23M |
| Opus Prize Foundationsince 1994 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.4M14 grants · 2024 | $10K | Preselected only | $39M |
| Pfeiffer Family Foundationsince 2023 | Aberdeen, SD | $1.2M18 grants · 2025 | $13K | Preselected only | $5.7M |
| Via-Bradely College of Engineering Foundationsince 2001 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.2M1 grants · 2025 | $1.2M | Preselected only | $32M |
| Dakota Charitable Foundation Incsince 1992 | Rapid City, SD | $1.2M19 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $20M |
| Great Plains Education Foundation Incsince 1979 | Aberdeen, SD | $1.1M6 grants · 2024 | $90K | Preselected only | $32M |
| Black Hills Corporation Foundationsince 2002 | Rapid City, SD | $1.1M1 grants · 2025 | $1.1M | Yes | $5.6M |
| Rlb Charitable Foundationsince 2020 | Sioux Falls, SD | $1.0M2 grants · 2024 | $502K | Yes | $18M |
| John D & Edna a Hofer Trsince 2008 | Mitchell, SD | $875K7 grants · 2025 | $113K | Preselected only | $21M |
| Harvey W Peters Research Foundationsince 2001 | Sioux Falls, SD | $864K1 grants · 2024 | $864K | Yes | $134M |
| Ruth a and Raymond a Reister Charitable Trustsince 2016 | Sioux Falls, SD | $859K18 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $8.0M |
| James and Eloise Elmen Foundationsince 2007 | Sioux Falls, SD | $844K21 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $11M |
| Brenden Mann Foundationsince 2006 | Sioux Falls, SD | $813K41 grants · 2024 | $7,500 | Preselected only | $18M |
| Joseph Raunhorst Family Foundationsince 2003 | Sioux Falls, SD | $566K9 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $9.3M |
| Frank W Veden Charitable Tr Ua 35412910since 1998 | Sioux Falls, SD | $535K9 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $13M |
| Reba J Walker Charitable Trsince 2024 | Sioux Falls, SD | $523K2 grants · 2025 | $261K | Preselected only | $9.4M |
| Evah C Cray Residuary Charitable Trsince 1995 | Sioux Falls, SD | $495K23 grants · 2025 | $12K | Yes | $8.5M |
| H and M Kellogg Charitable Trust 35417890since 2000 | Sioux Falls, SD | $460K7 grants · 2025 | $40K | Preselected only | $7.5M |
| Marion Bradley Via Memorial Foundation South Dakotasince 2001 | Sioux Falls, SD | $459K10 grants · 2025 | $43K | Yes | $7.8M |
| Engelsma Family Foundationsince 2003 | Sioux Falls, SD | $431K47 grants · 2025 | $4,000 | Preselected only | $5.8M |
| Orrion and Edith Barger Memorial Foundation Incsince 2008 | Chamberlain, SD | $425K46 grants · 2025 | $3,750 | Yes | $9.4M |
| Vasilius Family Foundationsince 2006 | Sioux Falls, SD | $421K12 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $5.2M |
| Comfort Family Foundationsince 2010 | Sioux Falls, SD | $405K12 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $9.1M |
| The Merali Foundationsince 2009 | Rapid City, SD | $397K5 grants · 2025 | $10K | Preselected only | $7.2M |
| A & B Winstrom Christian Family Foundationsince 2009 | Sioux Falls, SD | $357K6 grants · 2025 | $13K | Preselected only | $5.8M |
| Sheldon F Reese Foundationsince 1980 | Sioux Falls, SD | $346K30 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $5.1M |
| Thomas and Julianne Youngren Foundationsince 2009 | Sioux Falls, SD | $331K24 grants · 2025 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $5.3M |
| Cassini Trsince 2024 | Sioux Falls, SD | $312K1 grants · 2025 | $312K | Preselected only | $9.9M |
| Nehring Family Nice Foundationsince 2020 | Sioux Falls, SD | $310K10 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $5.6M |
| Aspen Trustsince 2020 | Rapid City, SD | $306K20 grants · 2024 | $6,000 | Preselected only | $7.5M |
| The Mike Cindy and Kylie Huether Family Foundationsince 2010 | Sioux Falls, SD | $286K38 grants · 2025 | $150 | Preselected only | $5.1M |
| Donald Stip Charitable Remainder Unitrustsince 2010 | Sioux Falls, SD | $259K2 grants · 2025 | $130K | Preselected only | $6.1M |
| Carol Clarkson Eklund Foundationsince 2013 | Belle Fourche, SD | $250K12 grants · 2025 | $20K | Preselected only | $4.6M |
| Hatterscheidt Foundation Incsince 1950 | Aberdeen, SD | $237K44 grants · 2025 | $2,500 | Yes | $4.4M |
| Eleanors Fundsince 2010 | Newell, SD | $200K3 grants · 2025 | $70K | Preselected only | $5.0M |
| Walter and Virginia Hager Foundationsince 2024 | Mobridge, SD | $195K17 grants · 2025 | $10K | Yes | $4.6M |
| Pontius Family Foundation Dtd 022597since 1997 | Sioux Falls, SD | $189K1 grants · 2025 | $189K | Preselected only | $4.4M |
| Jerstad Family Foundationsince 1997 | Sioux Falls, SD | $152K16 grants · 2024 | $7,000 | Yes | $4.4M |
| Westendorf Family Foundationsince 1986 | Dakota Dunes, SD | $144K7 grants · 2024 | $4,500 | Preselected only | $4.4M |
| Van Beek Family Foundationsince 1997 | Hudson, SD | $51K6 grants · 2024 | $3,750 | Preselected only | $9.7M |
| Axiom Foundationsince 2021 | Turton, SD | $35K2 grants · 2024 | $18K | Preselected only | $4.3M |
| Hanson Larsen Memorial Park Foundation Incsince 2005 | Rapid City, SD | $23K1 grants · 2025 | $23K | Preselected only | $4.1M |
| Denny Sanford Foundationsince 2007 | Sioux Falls, SD | — | — | Preselected only | $28M |
| Prairie Lakes Legacy Fund Incsince 2026 | Watertown, SD | — | — | Preselected only | $14M |
| Childrens Museum of South Dakotasince 2010 | Brookings, SD | — | — | Preselected only | $6.5M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in South Dakota
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | South Dakota Arts Council — Organizational GrantsStateSouth Dakota Arts Council | South Dakota Arts Council | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | South Dakota Humanities Council — Humanities GrantsStateSouth Dakota Humanities Council | South Dakota Humanities Council | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in South Dakota?
Our directory lists 107 private grantmaking foundations in South Dakota with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $2.1B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.