2020 – Responding to a Year Like No Other The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) reprioritized and streamlined grant programs to focus efforts on responding to the coronavirus in 2020. The pandemic had and will continue to have a huge impact on our state’s nonprofits. While the demand for services increased, CDC guidelines necessitated reducing in-person services. Volunteers, which every nonprofit depends on, were scarce. Many nonprofits experienced decreased donations and contributions as donors experienced their own hardships. Fundraising events had to be cancelled. Providing services online proved challenging as many nonprofits lacked the necessary equipment. Staff were in dire need of training on how to successfully implement virtual programs. When facilities were able to open again on a limited basis, funds were needed for personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies. Staff retention became more difficult. Despite the difficulties, nonprofits across our state rose to the challenge and initiated new and unique ways of delivering services to clients. The programs highlighted in this article represent a cross section of those nonprofits that continue to provide services despite numerous challenges. Ginger Niemann, SDCF senior program officer, said, “It was very difficult choosing just four nonprofits to highlight in a year of grantmaking that has been unprecedented in the sheer numbers and depth of need. These four nonprofits have different missions and clientele, but all worked diligently to meet the need during a very challenging time. We are proud to have played a small part in that.”
Volunteers of America – Western SD
Pictured left to right: Todd Richins, Senior Director of Advancement, VOA; Beth Massa, Regional Director for Foundation Relations, SDCF; Kelly Folsom, Advancement Specialist, VOA; Tara Wilcox, Director of Rapid City Services, VOA and Ginger Niemann, Senior Program Officer, SDCF
We can all remember how we felt when many of us were asked to “shelter in place” last spring when the pandemic first hit. Our homes became the command center, from which we worked, educated our children and stayed in touch with loved ones while “social distancing.” Now, try to imagine doing all this if you were without a home. Volunteers of America Northern Rockies (VOA) has been on the frontlines of providing services to low or no income individuals in western South Dakota who have been impacted by COVID-19. The organization received a $20,000 grant through SDCF’s Coronavirus Response Fund. Funds supported temporary hotel placement for homeless families and high-risk individuals along with diaper distribution for infants and toddlers. “Without the continued support of partners like the South Dakota Community Foundation, it would not be possible to serve the thousands of people in need each year in the Black Hills,” said Jeff Holsinger, CEO, Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. “We look forward to supporting even more this year as we all work for a stronger South Dakota.”
Partnership With Native Americans
Elder Georgia expressing her thanks for food distribution in the community of Wanblee on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Standing behind her is PWNA partner Phyllis Swift Hawk.
Partnership With Native Americans (PWNA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to championing hope for a brighter future for Native Americans living mostly on remote, geographically isolated and often impoverished reservations. PWNA provides year-round services for Native American tribes in nine priority states including South Dakota. All the tribes served by PWNA have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Native American tribes have some of the highest rates of infection in the United States. The pandemic also highlighted the food insecurity that exists in nearly all rural and geographically isolated communities. Most reservations exist in food deserts. Grocery stores for some communities may be an hour or more away. SDCF granted $15,000 to PWNA to provide muchneeded services.
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