Foundations that fund organizations in Pierre, South Dakota
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Pierre nonprofits
28 private foundations gave $5.0M to Pierre organizations in their latest filings; 12 of the 28 that say either way accept applications.
45 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Pierre around $5,187. 8 of these funders are based in South Dakota; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 28
- Accept applications
- 12
- of 28 that state a policy
- Dollars to Pierre
- $5.0M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 45
- Typical median grant
- $5,187
- Based in SD
- 29%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Pierre organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bush Foundation | St Paul, MN | 2 | $2.2M | $1.1M | Yes | To operate two grant programs with the purpose of inspiring…; For bush prize: south dakota winner and finalists |
| The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 3 | $1.0M | $75K | Preselected only | Building project; Palisades stateparkcapital camp.; Operating |
| Great Plains Education Foundation Inc C/O Dacotah Bank Trust | Aberdeen, SD | 2 | $900K | $450K | Preselected only | Educational Impact Campaign and SDSBVI; General Operations |
| The Wellmark Foundation | Des Moines, IA | 3 | $213K | $33K | Yes | Expansion in up to 3 schools with high need for programming.; Improve career development conference and leadership develo…; The south dakota department of health will host "creating h… |
| The James and Eloise Elmen Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 2 | $156K | $78K | Preselected only | Good earthstate park; Custer state park bison center |
| Tua Clayton&odessa L Ofstad Fdn | Dallas, TX | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Unrestricted general |
| Easton Sports Development Foundation II | Van Nuys, CA | 1 | $100K | $100K | Yes | Youth sports |
| John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $95K | $95K | Preselected only | To support pennington county's participation in the safety… |
| Ram Foundation | Paris, TX | 2 | $79K | $40K | Yes | Unrestricted |
| South Dakota Elks Assoc Charitable & Welfare Trust Fund | Yankton, SD | 1 | $71K | $71K | Preselected only | Generl support grant |
| Lake the Sarah H Char Tr | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $31K | $31K | Preselected only | General support |
| Carol Clarkson Eklund Foundation Pioneer Bank & Trust Trustee | Belle Fourche, SD | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Oneok Foundation Inc | Tulsa, OK | 1 | $15K | $15K | Yes | Second century habitat fund |
| First Interstate Bancsystem Foundation Inc | Billings, MT | 2 | $10K | $5,187 | Yes | General Operating Support |
| Silicon Valley Luminary Society | Redwood City, CA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Charities |
| Andrea Waitt Carlton Family Foundation | Nashville, TN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | General operating support |
| The Chesterman Family Foundation | Sioux City, IA | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | To further programs of the organization |
| Midcontinent Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 4 | $4,750 | $1,125 | Yes | Support and grow jobs for america's graduates - south dakot…; Funds would be used for youth programming, including summer…; The purpose of our grant request is to secure funding to bu… |
| Sioux Steel Company Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 3 | $4,750 | $1,250 | Preselected only | Capital campaign; Social welfare |
| Barker Family Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | 2 | $4,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Supports the permanent endowmwnt fund for maintaining the f…; Supports the permanent endowmwnt fund for the continued mai… |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $1,600 | $1,600 | Yes | Member co-op matches |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 3 | $1,000 | $300 | Preselected only | Human services - multipurpose and other; Recreation, sports, leisure, athletics; Educational institutions and related activities |
| Mostyn Foundation Inc C/O Silvercrest Asset Management | New York, NY | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | General |
| Valley Queen Charitable Foundation | Milbank, SD | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Donation |
| Renee Rebecca and Richard Elmen Foundation | Sioux Falls, SD | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Operating support |
| The Quirk Family Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | General |
| Teeem Inc | Little Falls, NJ | 1 | $125 | $125 | Preselected only | Sustaining contribution |
| The Prbb Foundation | Bozeman, MT | 1 | — | Preselected only | To provide training and assistance to shelters for victims… |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Pierre, South Dakota?
The Bush Foundation, The Robert and Rita Elmen Foundation, Great Plains Education Foundation Inc C/O Dacotah Bank Trust, The Wellmark Foundation, The James and Eloise Elmen Foundation and 23 others reported grants to Pierre organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Pierre. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.