South Dakota Honorees —… | South Dakota Community Foundation

South Dakota Honorees — Celebrating Transformational Impact and Creative Community Problem-Solving

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South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is proud to partner with the Bush Foundation to introduce the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota honorees, Abbott House and Youth & Family Services (YFS). Each organization received $250,000 in flexible support. Their work highlights the power of compassionate, creative problem-solving to transform the future of children and families throughout our state.

Bush Prize: South Dakota identifies and honors extraordinary organizations that consistently engage and lead their community toward creative solutions. It provides and supports nonprofits to listen closely to their communities, design thoughtful solutions and inspire others through their commitment to transformational impact.

A Cornerstone of Support

“In short, we help kids,” shared Connie Olson, Chief Development Officer at YFS. Since 1965, YFS has grown into a cornerstone of support for families in western South Dakota. Reaching 14,000 children across 31 counties, YFS provides advocacy, education, childcare, counseling, prevention programs and parent education.

While their doors are open to everyone, their programs are intentionally designed so low-income families can access the support they need to help their children grow into “capable, caring and contributing members of the community.”

Abbott House Executive Director, Eric Klooz leads an organization with a similarly powerful story. Founded in 1939, Abbott House has evolved into a statewide continuum of care for youth who have experienced trauma. Through a special education school, intensive foster homes and transitional apartments for young adults, Abbott House helps young people heal, learn and build hope for their futures.

“We have really been able to create a continuum of care for kids,” Eric said, “and get them—what we say—launched in life.”

Impacting the Future


For both organizations, receiving Bush Prize: South Dakota has been a deeply meaningful affirmation of their mission and the people who carry it forward each day.

Connie shared how encouraging it is for staff to be recognized for the impact they make. “It really does say to our staff that the work they are doing is important, that the community sees that, that others see that,” she said.

Eric described the moment as invigorating: “The acknowledgement of all the hard work that they put in was like hitting a second wind.”

Each honoree receives $250,000 in flexible funding.

Abbott House plans to invest in specialized staff training and expand foster homes in Sioux Falls and Rapid City. Eric emphasized that recognition builds momentum: “It is much easier to get people interested in the things that we are doing because of the success that we have had.”

At YFS, the award opens the door to think boldly and creatively. “Part of the excitement is considering all of the ways these funds can be used to support and impact our community,” Connie said. Flexible funding allows YFS to explore new ideas, respond to emerging needs and imagine possibilities not limited by traditional grant restrictions.

Strengthening South Dakota


Both leaders reflected on the essential role nonprofits play in strengthening communities statewide.

Connie noted organizations like YFS and Abbott House serve as critical supports—meeting urgent needs, creating stability and opening pathways for long-term success.

Eric highlighted the importance of collaboration: “There are great nonprofits throughout the state, all doing wonderful work and we are all better because we work together.”

When asked about philanthropy, both spoke from the heart. Eric described how donor generosity ensures Abbott House can continue its mission for decades to come.

Connie shared philanthropy “means making sure that a child has a safe place to be” and ensuring families in crisis have access to care, support and hope.

Their reflections serve as a reminder of why this work matters and why Bush Prize: South Dakota is a celebration not only of achievement, but of shared purpose.

Celebrating Leadership, Compassion, and Community Impact


Abbott House and YFS embody what it means to serve with compassion, lead with creative solutions and build community through generosity. South Dakota is stronger because of their dedication, and SDCF is honored to celebrate them as the 2025 Bush Prize: South Dakota honorees.

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