Black Hills foundations launch fund to aid groups losing federal funding

Two Rapid City foundations have partnered to help nonprofits facing funding cuts due to federal changes. The Black Hills Area Community Foundation and the John T. Vucurevich Foundation created the Sustaining Black Hills Nonprofits Fund to provide short-term bridge funding. The Bush Foundation in Minnesota also supports the effort, which aims to help nonprofits adjust while encouraging community support.

John T. Vucurevich Foundation CEO Jacqui Dietrich said nonprofits face rising costs and declining federal aid. Black Hills Area Community Foundation president Chris Huber added that without these services, community needs go unmet. The fund has supported groups including Seventh Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocates, Feeding South Dakota and Working Against Violence Inc., which lost federal grants or face funding gaps, according to South Dakota Searchlight.