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Introducing the Beyond Idea Grant Program
SDCF launched the Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) program in 2022. For its first round, SDCF received 133 applications and awarded nearly $1.2 million to 14 nonprofit organizations across the state. The BIG Program is offered in partnership with the Bush Foundation and supports innovative, community-based, problem-solving efforts. Projects must benefit communities in South Dakota.
Work leading up to the announcement of firstround recipients started much earlier. SDCF announced its selection as an intermediary partner for the Bush Foundation’s new community-based grant program in January 2022. The partnership entrusts SDCF with awarding $1.2 million to nonprofits in South Dakota each year of the sixyear partnership. Other intermediary partners include Strengthen ND, serving North Dakota; Headwaters for Justice, serving Minnesota; and Good Relatives Collaborative, serving Native Nations in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
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To help design the BIG program, SDCF gathered 11 community leaders from across the state for a design meeting. The design team shared their ideas and experiences to help guide the creation of the new program’s application, guidelines, evaluation and reviewer scoring matrix. The design team also participated in an activity that resulted in the name of the grant: Beyond Idea Grant.
SDCF previously partnered with the Bush Foundation for the Community Innovation Grant program, which ended in 2021.
“This recent partnership is a continuation of the longstanding relationship with the regional funder,” says Stephanie Judson, SDCF President & CEO. “We appreciate their continued confidence in our ability to work with our community partners to improve the lives of South Dakotans.” The BIG program will have two rounds in 2023, with application windows opening in March and August. The program aims to develop, test and spread ideas that make South Dakota better for everyone and inspire, equip and connect leaders to more effectively lead equitable change. The goal is to support people and organizations who are learning and growing.
