Bringing Philanthropy to Life

The Miller Area Foundation (MAF) is one of 84 community savings accounts housed at the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF). The individuals involved with the MAF are passionate about facilitating the opportunity for economic development, human services, educational, cultural, and environmental enhancement for generations to come. Simply put, the organization is working to see Miller, SD thrive for generations to come. For this special two-part conversation, Jamie Farmen, Community Development Coordinator & Marketing Manager for the SDCF joined Dawn Joy, current MAF Advisory Council Chairperson, as well as Tiffany Hofer, MAF Advisor Council member. She also sat down with Jim and Nini Hart, who helped to establish the MAF in 1994. In this episode you will hear: The history and success of the MAF from Dawn Joy and Tiffany Hofer Why community support is vital in rural communities of South Dakota The story of Jim and Nini Hart, and why they are passionate about supporting Miller SD “It’s a great accomplishment for a small community–not only as donors but as doers and door openers,” shared Nini Hart. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota! Facebook: www.facebook.com/SDCommunityFoundation Instagram: www.instagram.com/southdakotacf Website: www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota! Facebook: www.facebook.com/SDCommunityFoundation Instagram: www.instagram.com/southdakotacf Website: www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota! Facebook: www.facebook.com/SDCommunityFoundation Instagram: www.instagram.com/southdakotacf Website: www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. To learn more about the Stronger Communities Fund click here. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. To learn more about the WINGS Foundation click here. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at:  Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. To learn more about the work Kurt and other key club members of the South Dakota Community Foundation do click here. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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. To learn more about the work Chad and other Key Club members of the South Dakota Community Foundation do click here. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

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.  To learn more about the Madison Central School Education Foundation click here. Follow us for more stories of philanthropy in South Dakota at: Facebook Instagram www.sdcommunityfoundation.org

Since 1987, the South Dakota Community Foundation has been bringing philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota by connecting generous people and charitable nonprofits in our state. This special 35-year anniversary podcast series airs this August and features inspiring stories from donor, community, advisor, and nonprofit partners invested in creating an improved South Dakota for generations to come. Follow us now where you find your favorite podcasts, so you don't miss conversations with key club member Kurt Solay, the WINGS Foundation, Madison Central School Foundation and more.