$4,000 awarded to Faith Alive… | South Dakota Community Foundation

$4,000 awarded to Faith Alive Community Church

November 26, 2024 // Grants, South Dakota Fund Grants
Scenic and colorful sunset photo
Melissa Koester, Board Member BelieveFest; Ruth Manson, Board Member, BelieveFest; Stephanie Judson, SDCF President & CEO; and Pastor Paul Manson, Faith Alive Community Church

The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $4,000 South Dakota Fund grant to Faith Alive Community Church. Funding will assist in providing funds for BelieveFest, an annual event that provides much needed school supplies to approximately 900 children from families with financial need.

“Funding from the South Dakota Community Foundation has ensured that children in Beadle County start the school year with the school supplies they need, further giving them the confidence that is key to each child's success.,” says Ruth Mason, co-chair, BelieveFest. “Many families in Huron, its surrounding communities, and within the high immigrant population are facing financial hardship but funding for BelieveFest from the SDCF has given these families the encouragement they need while lessening the stress of getting school supplies for their children as they start school.”

In 2015, BelieveFest began as a way to respond to the high number of families in the Huron area who struggle financially to provide their school-aged children with their basic necessities for school. By following the mission of Faith Alive Community Church, to serve within the church, their community and around the world, BelieveFest has grown through volunteers and donations and now helps school-aged children throughout Beadle County by providing school supplies to start the school year and gives them the confidence to succeed academically.

“We are proud to partner with Faith Alive Community Church to provide youth in Beadle County the supplies necessary to be successful in school,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer.

SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers 1,200 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed nearly $31 million in grants in 2023 which made a tremendous difference in communities statewide. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. If you have a specific cause you would like to support or would prefer to give for the general good of our state, please visit https://sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving to learn more or call 1-800-888-1842.