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South Dakota Community Foundation

EIN 46-0398115 · Pierre, SD

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE PART 1, LINE 1.

Income
$60.1 million
Spending
$45.2 million
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 52%
Employees
20
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$509,618, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 13% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 20 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $38.9 million spent. THE SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS THE ONLY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN SOUTH DAKOTA WITH A STATEWIDE FOCUS. ESTABLISHED AS A PUBLIC NONPROFIT IN 1987 UNDER THE VISION OF GOVERNOR MICKELSON, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES GRANTS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE STATE IN SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HUMAN SERVICES, HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS.
  2. $2.4 million spent. COMMUNITY SAVINGS ACCOUNTS-WORK WITH OVER 75 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, RANGING IN POPULATION FROM 200 TO OVER 30,000, TO CREATE PERPETUAL FUNDING STREAMS TO ASSIST WITH LOCAL CHARITABLE CAUSES. GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSES THAT ENABLE THE FOUNDATION TO DIRECTLY IMPACT NECESSARY CHANGE AS RECOMMENDED BY LOCAL LEADERS.
  3. $1.2 million spent. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM-MAINTAINS OVER 350 SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR THE BENEFIT OF HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES ACROSS THE STATE. THE FOUNDATION WORKS WITH DONORS TO IMPROVE ACCESS FOR SOUTH DAKOTA'S YOUTH TO OBTAIN HIGHER EDUCATION. THE FOUNDATION AWARDED OVER 1,000 SCHOLARSHIPS TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH HIGHER EDUCATION.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.