Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation Meets Challenge

November 30, 2021 // Community Savings Account, Donors

On the South Dakota Day of Giving, the Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation has received a $43,750 matching grant from Gary and Connie Grittner of Fort Pierre and the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) after raising over $50,000 for the local community savings account (CSA) from local donors.

$25,000 was generously matched by the Grittners and $18,750 was matched from the Farrar Family Community Development Fund held at the SDCF. Because of many donors and these matching funds, over $500,000 is permanently held at SDCF for the benefit of local charitable causes.

Grittners and SDCF present Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation Advisory Council with $43,750 matching funds. (L to R) Stephanie Judson, SDCF President & CEO, Connie Grittner, Becky Burke-Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation President; Gary Grittner; Matt Brakke, Kate Olson, Brett Koenecke

“We are grateful to the Grittners, Farrar family and SDCF for this opportunity to reach out to our donors.”
Becky Burke, Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation President

Becky Burke, Pierre/Fort Pierre Community Foundation President, Matt Brakke, Kate Olson, Brett Koenecke, Past President

“Thank you to each of the 47 individuals who supported us through contributions. We were able to have conversations regarding the impact of this fund and share the good our foundation has accomplished in our local area. We look forward to supporting nonprofit projects for years to come," said Burke.

The Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation accepted the challenge in 2019. Through conversations, the advisory council raised the $50,000 through contributions from local individuals. The fund is a permanent endowment with SDCF and is overseen by a local advisory council. The fund has granted over $433,000 to local nonprofits since its inception in 1997.

“ We are proud to partner with the Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation.”
Jamie Farmen

“We are proud to partner with the Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation to create a sustainable funding source for nonprofit organizations,” said Jamie Farmen, SDCF Community Development Coordinator. “This fund will continue to provide a vehicle for current, past and future residents of the community to give back to local causes.”

Donations to the Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation will be invested along with other SDCF endowed funds. A percentage of the fund’s value is made available annually for the local advisory council to distribute to charitable and nonprofit causes in the area. As the fund grows, so will the annual amount available to give back to nonprofit groups making a difference in the community.

Becky Burke-Chairperson
Brett Koenecke-Past Chairperson
Sandy Zinter
Kate Olson
Murray Thompson
Tom Hart
Matt Brakke

Bringing philanthropy to life for a stronger South Dakota.

The Pierre/Fort Pierre Area Community Foundation was established in 1997 by a local advisory council in partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF). Their goal is to create a long-term funding source for charitable causes in the local area. With careful investment, the fund will continue to grow and enhance quality of life in the local area forever. This fund is one of 80 community savings accounts in partnership with SDCF.

SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. With offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, SDCF administers over 1,050 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed nearly $18 million in grants in 2020 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.