Deans Announce $10,000 Donation Match Challenge to Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation

In its 25th year of serving the community, the Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation (WSACF) has set a “$25,000 for 25 Years” goal to celebrate the milestone.

So far, $7,000 in donations have been raised toward the effort and longtime Wessington Springs residents and philanthropists Tom and Kathy Dean have announced a $10,000 donation match challenge to help achieve the goal.

“The current fund drive will allow the WSACF to do even more to build the community we love,” expressed the Deans. “Because of that, we will match every donation, dollar for dollar up to $10,000. Please give generously to make our community even stronger.”

The WSACF “community savings account” is an endowment fund that has a simple formula: donations made to the local fund stay invested forever and the earned interest is made available twice a year to local charitable or nonprofit groups.

Local groups, organizations and projects that have recently received grants from WSACF include: the newly refurbished Wessington Springs welcome sign, swimming pool, rec center, Teeners Baseball, WSHS Athletic Hall of Fame, AWANA, Blue Bag Program and WSHS senior project support.

Over the past few years, with the exception of one spendable donation, the average yearly available funds to award grants back into the community has been approximately $15,000. With an increase of this “$25,000 for 25 Years” goal, it is estimated that available funds to award grants would increase by about $2000 per year — a sizable increase going to local organizations that serve the community.

“Kathy and I strongly support the mission and the activities of the Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation (WSACF),” said Tom Dean. “We believe the support that WSACF provides to community projects and organizations strengthens the whole community and benefits us all.”

All donations can be sent to Wessington Springs Area Community Foundation, PO Box 157, Wessington Springs, SD 57382 or made online at the link below.

Fall Grant Application Deadline Announced

Applications for the WSACF fall grant must be submitted by October 27th, 2023. Applications may be picked up at the Chamber & Development office or obtained online at link below. Applications can be mailed to the Area Community Foundation at P.O. Box 157, Wessington Springs, SD 57382.

Grants are made twice a year to local charitable or nonprofit groups in one of five general areas: human service, education, economic development, health and cultural.