South Dakota Community Foundation Awards $20,000 to Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe
January 13, 2026 // Grants, South Dakota Fund Grants
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) recently awarded a $20,000 South Dakota Fund grant to Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe. Funding will assist in developing an eco-friendly, multipurpose playground.
“On behalf of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, we are pleased to receive the South Dakota Community Foundation grant award in support of the Eco-Playground system,” said Elizabeth-Deciana Grama, Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe Assistant Grant Writer. “We are truly excited about the opportunity to being implementing the project in the coming year. The generous grant will help create safe, sustainable, and engaging play spaces that benefit not only the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe but also the children and families in the greater Flandreau community.”
The Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (FSST)is working to create a sustainable playground that will promote outdoor activity, education through play, and a deeper connection to nature that will become a hub for multipurpose sports, environmental learning and culturally relevant play for children of all ages for both FSST and the broader Flandreau community. The fully inclusive and ADA compliant eco-friendly playground will be created using natural, recycled, and locally sourced materials. FSST will also involve tribal members to assist in design and construction process integrating nature-based learning stations to teach about local ecology and Dakota culture.
“Together, we are investing in the well-being and development of youth, ensuring they have a safe playground that will also provide a space for cultural and environmental learning and community togetherness,” says Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Officer. “We are proud to partner with Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe in the creation of the playground.”
To learn more about funding opportunities offered by SDCF, please visit our website at 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.