Bringing Philanthropy to Life

In his lifetime, Gene Abdallah (1936-2019) dedicated himself through and through to community service. For nearly 50 years, Gene served the public in multiple branches of government and nearly all branches of law enforcement, from the federal level to a state and local level. Today, Gene’s dedication to giving back and honoring his community continues on even after his passing. 

In 2019, The Gene Abdallah Scholarship Fund was established through the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) to provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Jeff Veltkamp, SDCF Director of Development, sat down with Scott to talk about his passion for supporting law enforcement and his establishment of the Gene Abdallah Scholarship Fund in honor of his father.

In this episode you will hear:

• Gene Abdallah’s story and impact

• How the Gene Abdallah Scholarship Fund is creating a bright and safe future in SD

• The Impact the Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner continues to have in its 42nd year

“This event is a reflection of how much our community loves law enforcement, and it makes me proud to live in this state,” shared Scott. 

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Lost&Found, based out of Sioux Falls, is a nonprofit organization focused on facilitating proactive, data-driven, public health approaches to suicide prevention for young adults ages 15-34. What started as a student project in 2010 has grown into an extensive organization with a decade of outreach, advocacy, and mental health referral programs in South Dakota through college campus partnerships.

South Dakota Community Foundation’s (SDCF) Senior Program Officer, Ginger Niemann joined Erik Muckey, Executive Director of Lost&Found for a conversation on the organization as a whole and the ways they are utilizing grants from the SDCF to expand their reach. At 18 years old, Erik was one of the founders of the program when it was designed by students at the University of South Dakota.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Erik’s involvement with Lost&Found from day one

• Suicide statistics in South Dakota and what Lost&Found is doing to change them

• How the organization is utilizing a $100,000 grant from SDCF to expand their reach

“As our services have grown over the years, we’ve been able to touch just about every corner of South Dakota, and it always comes back to why we do what we do and what we care about as an organization,” said Erik. 

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Hani Shafai has worked tirelessly to transform industries and provide sustainable employment and housing in the Black Hills for nearly 40 years. Hani first arrived in South Dakota at the age of 19, seeking a safe education out of harm’s way. He found himself far from his war-torn home in the Gaza Strip in Palestine when he arrived in Rapid City. 

Hani recently joined South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) Director for Foundation Relations Beth Massa to discuss his philanthropic work with the Freedom's Haven for New Americans' Workforce and his time as a board member with the SDCF.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Hani’s early life story and journey to South Dakota

• His help in developing and supporting Freedom's Haven for New Americans' Workforce

• How this project is aiming to fill 30,000 vacant jobs across the state 

“We saw that this would provide one option to bring up our workforce in the state, but at the same time help good people who really need our help,” said Hani. 

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In 1999, the South Dakota Nurses Association established a charitable foundation branch, the South Dakota Nurses Foundation (SDNF), to offer financial support to RNs and the work of nurses throughout the state. The SDNF offered its first scholarship in 2005 and has offered over $50,000 dollars in scholarships since then. The foundation has partnered with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) for a number of funds ranging from scholarships to research funding, as well as donor-advised funds (DAFs). 

Thomas E. Stenvig, PhD, MPH, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Associate Professor and PhD Program Coordinator at the South Dakota State University’s College of Nursing and current President of the SDNF joined Jeff Veltkamp – Director of Development of the SDCF, to discuss the organization’s founding pillars, education, and research, and partnership with the SDCF to achieve their funding goals to support registered nurses in South Dakota. 

In this episode, you will hear:

• How the SDNF was formed

• The pillars of support that the SDNF provides to RNs in South Dakota

• How partnering with the SDCF has provided them with the support they need to focus on creating a better tomorrow

  
  

“There are many people whose lives have been impacted by a nurse; and if that is something one can see and recognize, we invite them to help us further the nursing profession. You can make a difference,” shared Thomas.

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The Haakon School District is dedicated to assisting in the development of each student's optimum potential with education programs focused on providing opportunities for students pursuing knowledge based in all fields of learning. They recognize the need for educational programs that are sensitive to the concepts of a changing world.

Britni Ross serves as the Business Manager for the Haakon School District, and Pamela DeJong serves as the district Guidance Coordinator for K–12. They joined Beth Massa, Director of Foundation Relations for the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), to discuss the partnership between Phillip High School and the SDCF which offers students scholarship opportunities. 

In this episode you will hear:

• The history of the Haakon School District’s partnership with the SDCF

• The way community support is making a big difference in rural area students’ futures

• How the school district partners donors with students for a successful scholarship match

“Our 2022 graduates were notified that, collectively, their class received $166,700 in scholarship funds,” shared Pamela. This was then distributed to a class of just 28 students.

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Jim and Vicki Lust of Aberdeen have partnered with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) to facilitate their charitable giving since 2012. They began down their path of philanthropy with the Jim and Vicki Lust First Foundation, a designated fund set up to support the St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Aberdeen. More recently, they established a second fund–this time going with a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) for more flexibility within their charitable goals. 

Jim and Vicki joined Pat Gallagher, Community Development Coordinator of the SDCF, to discuss their journey of philanthropy over the last 11 years.

In this episode you will hear:

• What Jim and Vicki appreciate about their DAF and the flexibility it offers them in their charitable giving

• Why giving back, especially to Aberdeen, is important to the Lusts

• What they love about working with the SDCF

“You know, someone did it for us. Someone helped build schools, libraries, and YMCAs, and we hope to leave that legacy for the next generation,” shared Vicki.

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Call to Freedom (CTF) is a nonprofit organization based in Sioux Falls, SD that brings wholeness to all individuals impacted by sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. CTF facilitates a healing path through its continuum of care model. Becky Rasmussen, CTF’s Executive Director, joined South Dakota Community Foundation's (SDCF) Director of Development Jeff Veltkamp to discuss the critical care the organization provides.

In this episode you will hear:

• Statistics on human trafficking in South Dakota
• Call to Freedom’s work to keep survivors from slipping through the cracks
• The ways partnering with the South Dakota Community Foundation has helped their organization grow.

“We want to see that every survivor has an opportunity to be safe. We as a community need to come together to say ‘your life is valued’,” shared Becky.

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Dr. Charles and Kathie Hart have given back to South Dakota in more ways than one, and their devotion to continue giving back isn’t stopping any time soon. Both of the Harts have had lasting careers in health care. Dr. Hart spent 14 years practicing Family Practice and Emergency Medicine before he transitioned to CEO at Regional Health (currently Monument Health) in Rapid City, SD. Kathie is a registered nurse and an avid community volunteer with a focus on children’s activities.

Dr. Hart and Kathie, joined Beth Massa of the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) to talk about their experience working with the SouthDCF to give back to South Dakota. 

In this episode you will hear:

• Firsthand experience in establishing a donor-advised fund through the SDCF
• Dr. Hart and Kathie’s passion to create a philanthropic legacy they could pass on to their children
• The ways they have given back to South Dakota

“It’s been our goal that this is something that benefits our children, in an ongoing future way,” shared Kathie.

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The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) was created as a public, nonprofit corporation on November 11, 1987, driven by the imagination of former Governor George S. Mickelson. He believed that the state of South Dakota needed an organization that would promote statewide donations and provide financial assistance to nonprofits.

Jeff Veltkamp, SDCF’s Director of Development, recently sat down with two leaders — current President & CEO Stephanie Judson, and past President & CEO, and current board member, Bob Sutton to discuss their efforts to make a stronger South Dakota through philanthropy.

In this episode you will hear:

• what it was like growing the foundation from each of their perspectives;
• the unique experiences they have each had as president;
• and the lessons they have learned from the generosity of South Dakotans.

“We are an endowment-based organization, so people are choosing to invest in the future of others,” said Stephanie Judson.

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The Aberdeen YMCA has strong roots in South Dakota and has been present in the area for over 100 years. Their commitment to community remains as strong today as it did in 1921.

South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) Community Development Coordinator, Pat Gallagher, recently joined the Aberdeen Y’s CEO, Mike Quast, to discuss the impact the organization makes in Aberdeen.

In this episode you will hear:

• The history of the Aberdeen YMCA;
• the unique ways the organization serves its community;
• and the inspiration charitable giving can have on others.

“Seeing generational philanthropy from a family is amazing, and is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life,” stated Mike Quast.

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The Helpline Center (THC) began serving South Dakota in 1974, and through the years the agency has grown to become a 24-hour/7-days-a-week service. It is the first location west of the Mississippi River to begin 2-1-1 services and is available to the entire state of South Dakota. As an organization, THC serves thousands of people yearly by connecting individuals to resources and support, connecting local agency volunteers, and offering hope to individuals with thoughts of suicide.

Jeff Veltkamp, South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF)’s Director of Development spoke with Janet Kittams, the Chief Executive Officer for the Helpline Center to discuss her work, and the community support THC offers to the state of South Dakota.

In this episode you will hear:

• the broad range of services THC offers;
• what drew Janet to working with THC for over 25 years;
• and how partnering with the SDCF is helping THC make a stronger impact for good.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, we all fall on hard times…sometimes we just need help and support, and that is okay,” said Janet.

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First Dakota Bank, the first banking institution in the Dakota Territory, began operations in 1872. 150 years later, First Dakota wanted to celebrate a century and a half in business by giving back to the communities of South Dakota.

Rob Ness, Chief Financial Officer, and Dan Statema, Director of Corporate Image & Development of First Dakota, joined Jeff Veltkamp of the South Dakota Community Foundation to talk about the Stronger Communities Fund. 

In this episode you will hear:

• what inspired the Stronger Communities Fund;
• the way this fund is empowering and improving communities;
• and how First Dakota is giving back after 150 years in business in South Dakota.

“If there is one thing that has stood out, it's just how many amazing South Dakotans there are out there looking to make improvements to their communities and regions,” stated Dan.

Though the WINGS Foundation is just over a year old, its mission has roots nearly a century deep in the Huron South Dakota community. WINGS–which stands for Women In Network Growing Stronger–was born from the ashes of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA).

Dawn Mutchelknaus, board chair of WINGS, joined Jamie Farmen of the South Dakota Community Foundation to talk about the evolution of the WINGS Foundation. 

In this episode you will hear:

• the history and evolution of the WINGS Foundation;
• the way WINGS honors its past while making the necessary changes to best serve the Huron community;
• and all the ways WINGS is making a positive impact.

“Our name signifies that this foundation is going to take people places, and it’s going to allow some really amazing things to happen,” said Dawn.

Kurt Solay, an attorney of over 30 years and a South Dakota Community Foundation key club member, recently joined Beth Massa, host, and Director for Foundation Relations for a conversation on estate planning.

Kurt, who has spent his whole career focused on estate planning and business law, shares information and experiences of helping his clients fulfill their charitable goals. 

In this episode you will hear:

• The importance of understanding the ever-changing tax laws in the state of South Dakota;
• Why giving before you have passed away can lead to deeper fulfillment;
• What inspires Kurt about philanthropy in South Dakota.

Kurt Solay is a Partner at Nooney & Solay, LLP, and is an A-rated lawyer in the national Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, a member of the Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, the Pennington County Bar Association, the South Dakota State Bar, and the American Bar Association.

Chad Locken, an attorney in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and native to the neighboring community of Groton, has a strong connection to his small-town roots. In his practice, Chad specializes in estate planning, wills, and business law.

Chad is a strong advocate for charitable giving, and he feels that it is an important option to share with clients of any age when estate planning. In this episode you will hear:

• Chad’s passion for introducing clients to the work of the South Dakota Community Foundation;
• Why he appreciates donating on a local level;
• Chad’s ability to see that most people are charitable by nature, they just need to know where to begin.

Chad Locken is an Attorney at Law at Gellhaus and Gellhaus, P.C. He attended the University of North Dakota School of Law and graduated with honors, is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association, and offers pro-bono work through South Dakota Access to Justice.

The Madison Central School Educational Foundation (MCSEF)–based in Madison, South Dakota, became a 501(c)(3) organization, offering scholarships to students and grants to teachers for professional development. These grants gave teachers the ability to innovate their classrooms with funds for equipment, subscriptions, and field trips that exceed the school’s budget.

Renae Prostrollo, Executive Director of MCSEF, and Jennifer Gross, Chairperson of MCSEF work to enhance the school district of Madison South Dakota. 

In this episode you will hear:

• MCSEF’s work to enhance opportunities for students and teachers;
• The history of the Foundation;
• Why MCSEF’s partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation has helped their endowment stabilize and grow exponentially over the last decade.

Renae and Jennifer are passionate about their work with MCSEF and hope to see the foundation grow to the point of offering a scholarship to every student graduating high school in the district.