South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $20,000 Grant to Dakota Wesleyan University
September 24, 2025 // Grants, South Dakota Fund Grants
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) has awarded a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU) to help launch its new Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program in Sioux Falls. The funds will support supplies and testing software needed to provide students with a successful start in the program.
DWU’s new 24-month ASN program builds on the success of its established nursing programs in Mitchell and Rapid City. The Sioux Falls expansion is designed to help address the state’s growing nursing shortage and will serve as a crucial step toward increasing the number of well-trained nurses in eastern South Dakota.
“This grant will go a long way in assisting our efforts in Sioux Falls as we launch the ASN nursing degree,” said Dakota Wesleyan University leadership. “It means a great deal to us all to have the support of South Dakota Community Foundation”, said Kitty Allen, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
In partnership with Avera Health, the new program will provide students with hands-on learning opportunities and pathways to employment. With the state’s healthcare systems in urgent need of qualified nurses, the new program is expected to make a lasting impact on both students and the wider community.
“Dakota Wesleyan University continues to step up in meaningful ways to meet the healthcare needs of South Dakota,” said Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “We’re proud to support their forward-thinking approach to education and workforce development.”
To learn more about funding opportunities through SDCF, visit SDCommunityFoundation.org.
SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers 1,300 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed nearly $40 million in grants in 2024 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.