City of Ideas: Summer 2020 Newsletter

SUMMER 2020 CITY OF IDEAS

FOR GOOD. FOR EVER.

A M ESS AGE FROM TH E CH AI R OF TH E B OARD As we reflect on recent events and begin to move forward, we believe it’s important to consider what we’ve learned. In serving our community throughout this extraordinary moment in time, the following points are more clear than ever:

SUSIE PATRICK

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation is a catalyst for good. Community is in our name, so it goes without saying that when our community needs us, we step forward to help in every way we can. That’s never been more apparent than over the last several months as we’ve engineered and deployed unprecedented resources to help in the wake of COVID-19 and as we’ve worked with community leaders to establish a fund to help inspire, develop and nurture a new generation of engaged and empowered leaders who know, understand and represent the diversity of our city today.

As you’ll see in the pages that follow, we were able to issue emergency grants to help our front-line nonprofits hardest hit by the economic impacts of the pandemic. We also mobilized our business

community as well as philanthropic individuals and families to raise more than $3.3 million for the One Sioux Falls Fund, helping those whose jobs were impacted by COVID-19 avoid eviction. And, we recently announced the Bridging the Gap Fund, led by a coalition of young, engaged professionals and designed to support organizations and programs focused on developing and empowering leaders among our city’s growing number of diverse populations.

All of these efforts are made possible thanks to so many in our community — individuals and families, businesses and nonprofits, and local leaders who have come together during this extraordinary time — working in collaboration to develop ideas and solutions for the complex challenges we’re facing today.

The role of local philanthropy has never been more important. At the Foundation, we believe strongly in the power and purpose of philanthropy. To us, philanthropy is more than just gifts and grants — philanthropy is also about convening partners to leverage financial, intellectual and human capital

The Depot at Cherapa Place, home to the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

Photo by Emily Spartz Weerheim.

to bring about positive change and drive social impact to help create a stronger, more vibrant community.

And perhaps most importantly, we believe philanthropy challenges us all to consider two important questions about our future — questions that drive and inspire our work every day: If we don’t join together to build a better, brighter tomorrow, who will? And if not now, when?

We remain here for our community — for good, for ever.

To that end, the Foundation remains committed to acting with care, compassion, ingenuity and integrity in service to our community. As we continue to work toward our mission, we are proud and honored to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors: • Lorrae Lindquist currently serves as president of the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Board. A graduate of Augustana University and a certified public accountant, now retired from practice, Lorrae is also an active community volunteer.

• Doug Tribble currently serves as president and CEO of American Bank & Trust. A South Dakota native and an active civic volunteer, Doug is a graduate of Northern State University.

As we welcome Lorrae and Doug, we give our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to outgoing board members Holly Brunick, Jay Huizenga, Linda Larson and Jeff Strand who have volunteered their time and talents in service to the Community Foundation.

We also give our thanks to Scott Christensen, our outgoing Board Chair, for his thoughtful leadership and trusted guidance. We are grateful that Scott will remain on the Board for the upcoming year in the role of past chair.

As we look ahead to the second half of 2020 and beyond, we remain especially grateful to you — our community. Thank you for your trust in the Foundation, for your belief in our mission and for your continued support of the place we all call home.

Sincerely,

Susie Patrick Chair of the Board of Directors Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation FOR GOOD. FOR EVER. | 3

Volunteers from Feeding South Dakota load food into a car during an Emergency Food Distribution in Sioux Falls earlier this summer. Feeding South Dakota is one of more than 30 local nonprofits who are recipients of the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Grants.

LEARN MORE See the full list of our COVID-19 Response Grant recipients and summaries of each grant at sfacf.org/news.

Adapting and Responding to Local Needs Thanks to support from visionary donors, the Foundation was able to award more than 30 emergency grants to front-line nonprofits impacted by COVID-19, providing critical support when our community needed it the most.

In an average year, the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation awards roughly 50 grants to local nonprofits through its Community Fund, an endowment supported by unrestricted gifts.

That’s in an average year. But the year 2020? Well, so far, we know it’s anything but average.

As the Sioux Falls area prepares to rebuild entire sectors of its economy ruptured by the coronavirus pandemic, the Foundation has stepped forward to help in aboveaverage ways — awarding more than 30 emergency grants since the start of the pandemic to some of our community’s hardest-hit front-line nonprofits.

As the effects of COVID-19 began unfolding throughout our community, the Foundation made the decision to pivot from its traditional grantmaking to focus solely on emergency needs related to the pandemic. The Foundation’s COVID-19 Response 4 | FOR GOOD. FOR EVER.

Grants were designed to provide critical financial relief to community-based nonprofits who have seen an extraordinary increase in the demand for services and/ or who need emergency operating support.

While the pandemic has impacted nearly every sector of society, the nonprofit sector has been hit especially hard, Foundation officials said.

“Since the start of the pandemic, nonprofits have stepped up in unparalleled ways to help our neighbors in need. As our community works to move forward, we know that many nonprofits will continue to face challenges as they adapt to new and changing demands for their services,” said Patrick Gale, vice president for community investment.

Adapting, Responding Thanks to Unrestricted Gifts The COVID-19 Response Grants are made possible thanks to donors who have made unrestricted gifts to the Community Fund, the Foundation’s most visionary endowment. By giving to the Community Fund, donors entrust the Foundation to award grants to communitybased nonprofits who are working to address emerging, changing and pressing needs throughout the area.

Donors like Steve and Kris Egger, whose endowment held at the Foundation provides unrestricted support for the Community Fund.

For the Eggers, the decision to provide unrestricted support comes from their own desire to give back, as well as their trust in the Foundation’s knowledge and understanding of the community’s needs.

“My father believed in giving back and he instilled that in me. I was reviewing his checkbook when he passed away at age 91. Other than an occasional check to a utility or two, line after line in his checkbook ledger were donations to local organizations,” Steve Egger said. “Over the years, I’ve become more and more impressed with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation — how it operates and the strong leadership of its board and staff. I know the Foundation will direct funds to where they are needed the most.”

When Walt and Martha Carlson created their legacy fund at the Foundation, they chose to designate a portion of their endowment for the Community Fund, ensuring future support for the Foundation’s grantmaking initiatives.

After serving on the Foundation’s Grants Committee as well as its Board of Directors, Martha Carlson said she developed a greater understanding of the needs that exist throughout the Sioux Falls area. She also witnessed how the Foundation works to address those needs.

“I once heard Jerry Sweetman say, ‘If you live here, you give here,’” Martha said. “That hit home for me. Over the years, I developed such trust in the Foundation because it truly does have a pulse on what the needs and opportunities are throughout Sioux Falls,” she said.

“As a donor, I could see that dollars go so much further when you figure out where the greatest needs are. That led us to want to leave our family legacy gifts to the Foundation, so we know one day those funds will do ‘good, forever’ as the motto goes.”

Donors like the Eggers and the Carlsons and so many others who offer their support through unrestricted giving have enabled the Foundation to adapt and respond to the community’s changing needs, Gale said.

“We are beyond grateful to the thousands of individuals and families who choose to invest in and give back to our community, and we are humbled by those who believe in the mission of the Foundation and entrust us to maximize and amplify the impact of their charitable donations through unrestricted giving,” he said.

Members of the Bridging the Gap Fund Advisory Committee.

Fund to Help Inspire, Develop Diverse Leaders The Community Foundation has established a fund to help inspire, build and develop emerging leaders among the city’s diverse populations.

The Bridging the Gap Fund is designed to help encourage and create engaged and empowered leaders within the city’s growing number of diverse populations through the support of efforts and programming centered around education, community building, story-telling and leadership development.

An advisory committee will award grants from the fund to support organizations and programs focusing on initiatives such as: Training and mentoring to help build and develop leaders from diverse backgrounds; providing resources to help create more pathways for inclusion in the workplace; and building community through art, media and storytelling.

Community Foundation President Andy Patterson called the fund a “catalyst for positive change.”

“At the Foundation, we’re committed to inspiring philanthropy to help build a better, brighter tomorrow for all those who call this area home.

But to build a better tomorrow for everyone, we need engaged and empowered leaders who know, understand and represent the diversity of our community today,” Patterson said. “We’re excited to work with community leaders and donors to invest in, nurture and empower the next generation of leaders who will no doubt inspire even more potential and possibility in the Sioux Falls of tomorrow.”

Learn more about the Bridging the Gap Fund at sfacf.org/leaders.

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Joe and Jennifer Kirby and their dog, Holmes, in downtown Sioux Falls.

Photo by Emily Spartz Weerheim.

Building Community Within Our Community When Joe and Jennifer Kirby came to us with the idea for a downtown dog park, we were honored to serve as their philanthropic partner to help make their dream come to life.

When it’s completed later this summer, the park will serve as far more than just an outdoor space for dogs — it will also act as a catalyst for building and strengthening the community we all call home.

Individuals and families who live near the city’s core will soon have a new outdoor space to enjoy with their furry friends once a new dog park opens in the heart of downtown later this summer.

The Kirby Dog Park at Fort Sod, located at the corner of 10th Street and Second Avenue, is the brainchild of local philanthropists Joe and Jennifer Kirby.

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After spending winters in southern California where small neighborhood dog parks are common, the Kirbys moved downtown two years ago with their Jack Russell Terrier, Holmes. While they love living amid the energy and momentum of downtown, they’ve missed having a central spot to gather with neighbors and fellow dog owners.

After talking with the City of Sioux Falls’ Parks and Recreation Department about the possibility of creating a downtown dog park, they learned the City and Downtown Sioux Falls had already been thinking about such a project. At that time, the Kirbys stepped forward to offer their support for the project so it would happen sooner rather than “someday.”

Passionate philanthropists, active community advocates and longtime Community Foundation donors — they established the Joe and Jennifer Kirby Charitable Fund

This rendering highlights the features of the Kirby Dog Park at Fort Sod, located at the corner of 10th Street and Second Avenue.

here more than 20 years ago — the Kirbys then approached the Foundation with the idea.

Working in collaboration with the Kirbys, the City of Sioux Falls, and the Parks and Recreation Department, the Foundation helped develop a philanthropic strategy that enabled the couple to utilize their existing charitable fund held at the Foundation to provide funding to develop the park.

“The Foundation is well-positioned to articulate what the community’s needs are to potential givers.”

— JOE KIRBY PHILANTHROPIST AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Andy Patterson, president of the Community Foundation, worked with the Kirbys on the project.

“The Foundation is often called a facilitator of dreams — that’s because we can match-make between visionary donors like the Kirbys, charities we know well, important grant programs and an innovative city that’s hungry for projects with the potential to enhance the vibrancy of our community,” Patterson said. “When Joe and Jennifer shared their idea for a downtown dog park with us, we jumped at the chance to help because we believed in their vision. No question about it — this is going to be a great addition to downtown.”

For the Kirbys, the idea for the park is about far more than just having a space for dogs to run and play. It’s about the power public parks have to bring people together in community.

“Getting outdoors with your dog and going to a park — there’s no better way to build and strengthen a community. The dogs play and the people stand around and talk. They talk about commonalities and shared interests. They talk about issues. They talk about how to make the community better,” Joe said.

Patterson agreed.

“Over the years, Joe and Jennifer have helped plan and raise funds for multiple parks and community facilities throughout the City,” Patterson said. “This is a couple who truly sees the important role philanthropy can play in building and fostering community through unique and creative ways.”

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The dog park, Patterson said, will not only help enhance the vibrancy of an already thriving downtown, it will also help shape the identity of the neighborhood more and more people are choosing to call home.

Currently, downtown Sioux Falls is home to nearly 2,500 residents — individuals and families who love the downtown vibe, as well as easy access to a diverse and growing collection of locally owned restaurants, shops and entertainment options. Wide sidewalks and unique features like the River Greenway make it easy for downtown residents to enjoy the sights and sounds of their neighborhood.

“When you live downtown, one of the best things about having a dog is that it makes you get out and walk. Getting outside regularly keeps you in touch with the outdoors and with the neighborhood. It’s good for all aspects of the human body,” Jennifer said. “After we moved downtown and saw so many people walking their dogs, we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a space downtown where dogs can be off leash and people can talk with each other?’ We think this is going to be great for downtown.”

Joe Batcheller, president of Downtown Sioux Falls, Inc., agreed.

“The Kirby Dog Park will be a significant differencemaker regarding the liveability of downtown,” Batcheller said. “As downtown has become more of a 24/7 neighborhood with new mixed-use developments, amenities like dog parks have become essential in attracting new residents. We’re a fortunate community to have such civic-minded people like Joe and Jennifer Kirby who are making this dream a reality.”

Enhancing the quality of life for those who call the Sioux Falls area home is something the Kirbys say guides their community involvement, as well as their philanthropy.

As chair of the Board of Directors for the Levitt at the Falls, Jennifer led the fundraising efforts to help launch the City’s newest outdoor music venue last year. For its inaugural season, the Levitt surpassed attendance predictions, welcoming than 58,000 music lovers who enjoyed 30 free concerts by professional musicians from throughout the U.S.

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GREAT IDEAS, WELCOME HERE. Do you have an idea for how philanthropy could help drive positive change and enhance the vibrancy of our community?

Contact us today — we’d love to help make your idea, hope or dream a reality.

The Kirbys also partnered with the Foundation to offer their support for the Levitt, directing a meaningful contribution from their donor advised fund to help launch the project.

As they reflect on this project, and their philanthropy in general, the Kirbys said their partnership with the Community Foundation has been key to helping their charitable ideas come to life.

“We have a strong focus on local giving — giving that will make a significant impact,” Jennifer said, noting the Foundation’s deep roots in the community, as well as its expansive knowledge of the needs and opportunities that exist throughout the area, can help charitable gifts make an even greater impact.

“The Foundation is well-positioned to articulate what the community’s needs are to potential givers,” Joe said. “We’re blessed to be in the ‘giving back’ phase of life. When we see needs in our community, we ask ourselves if there’s something meaningful we can do to help.”

For the dog park project, “it was really easy working with Andy. We let him know what we were interested in doing and it was really smooth and seamless,” Joe said.

“Working with the Foundation made it possible.”

‘Going Above and Beyond’ to Help We’re proud to honor the Helpline Center and The Community Outreach as our 2020 Community Spirit Award recipients.

The Community Foundation has named the Helpline Center and The Community Outreach as recipients of its 2020 Community Spirit Award, an honor recognizing the extraordinary ways in which each organization stepped forward to serve those in need in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“While the temporary shuttering of schools and businesses was done to protect the health and safety of those in our community, the economic and social impact on thousands of individuals and families throughout our area has been significant,” said Patrick Gale, vice president for community investment.

“As a community, we knew we needed to rally together to help our neighbors in need,” Gale said. “The Helpline Center and The Community Outreach are two Foundation grantees who stepped forward to help without hesitation. Over the last several months, these two organizations have been exceptional partners, going above and beyond to serve the needs of those throughout our area whose livelihoods have been impacted by COVID-19.”

Both organizations were key to the success of the One Sioux Falls Fund, a disaster fund developed in collaboration with the City of Sioux Falls and local businesses and held at the Community Foundation. The Fund was designed to help residents in the Sioux Falls MSA (Minnehaha, Lincoln, McCook and Turner counties) avoid evictions if they were unable to work due to COVID-19.

From March 10 through May 31, the Helpline Center answered 28,688 calls, text messages and emails related to the pandemic. In doing so, trained Helpline Center crisis specialists identified 41,681 needs. Top needs identified were disease information, food pantry information and information on rent payment assistance.

In addition, the Helpline Center also hosted an online application for the One Sioux Falls Fund on its website and facilitated a process to contact employers to verify applicants’ loss of income due to COVID-19.

From there, The Community Outreach stepped in to contact the landlords of approved One Sioux Falls Fund applicants. Once that verification was complete, The Community Outreach printed and mailed checks to cover 70 percent of the applicant’s monthly rent payment. So far, The Community Outreach has distributed rental assistance checks for more than 2,800 households.

“The One Sioux Falls Fund has helped thousands of individuals and families right here in Sioux Falls who have been impacted by COVID-19 to remain housed — an unprecedented feat of community service that would not have been possible without the Helpline Center and The Community Outreach,” Gale said.

“We are beyond grateful for their hard work, their partnership and their unwavering commitment to serve those in need throughout our community.”

The 2020 Community Spirit Awards include a commemorative plaque as well as a $5,000 grant to help each organization advance its mission.

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The stage at the Levitt Shell remains empty for now due to the pandemic, however, creative endeavors like “Levitt in Your Living Room” have allowed local music-lovers to engage with nationally known musicians in new ways. Photo by Paul Schiller.

‘The Music Plays On’ While the coronavirus continues to keep us apart, local arts organizations are using technology to connect us to the healing power of music, thanks to support from the Community Foundation.

In early March, Nancy Halverson, executive director of Levitt at the Falls, was busy planning to welcome tens of thousands of individuals and families to the Levitt Shell on north Phillips Avenue for the organization’s summer 2020 concert series.

Coming off a stand-out inaugural season where more than 58,000 music lovers attended 30 free outdoor concerts in 2019, Halverson was optimistic that the 2020 season would set new records.

While the pandemic is preventing people from enjoying the arts in traditional ways, representatives from the local arts community say the arts are needed and wanted now more than ever.

“Without a doubt, we know that people are using the arts to heal and understand this complicated moment in time,” Gale said.

Thinking Outside the Box With social distancing appearing to be the new norm — for the foreseeable future, anyway — Halverson and her team knew they needed to pivot. And thanks in part to support from a Community Foundation grant, that’s exactly what the Levitt did.

But by mid-March, life as we know it essentially stopped as the coronavirus swept across the U.S. And in the weeks that followed, arts organizations here and nationwide braced themselves for a catastrophic storm of events unlike anything they’d seen before.

“When all this came about, we just went back to ‘what is our mission’? It’s about building community through music. That’s still there. We just needed to find different avenues to do it,” Halverson said. “We looked at our long-range plan to see what we could do now. We added new tools to our toolbox utilizing digital technology.”

”As we’ve been in communications with our local arts organizations, we know many have had to cancel events, including concerts, gallery exhibits, recitals, theatre productions and more — all gatherings generally attended by large crowds of people,” said Patrick Gale, vice president for community investment.

“Levitt in Your Living Room” is just one example.

Through Facebook Live, the Levitt is offering in-depth interviews with artists who are sharing their creative processes and discussing what moves them as artists.

As a result, Gale said, operational revenues for local arts organizations have been negatively impacted, as have charitable donations.

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“It’s like having a backstage talk with an artist that you’ve always wanted to have,” Halverson said. In addition, KELO-TV and South Dakota Public Broadcasting (SDPB) aired the “Best of Levitt 2019”

The curtains remain closed for now in the Washington Pavilion’s Great Hall due to the pandemic, however, the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra continues to make music and engage with music-lovers in new ways thanks to technology and support from the Foundation. Concerts are planned to resume in October.

earlier this summer, enabling music-lovers throughout the area to enjoy the sights and sounds of past concerts.

Reception to the new, virtual music experiences has been positive — evidence of the public’s desire for the healing qualities of music during this time.

That’s why, Gale said, support for local arts organizations is more important than ever. “No matter where we’ve come from or what our life circumstances are now, each of us connects with the arts in different, yet similar ways,” he said. “The intersection of the arts and philanthropy opens up more opportunities for us to find common ground. At the Foundation, we remain committed to supporting our local arts organizations and we encourage members of our community to offer their support during this time as well, if they can.”

of Lawrence and Schiller for video editing, the Orchestra has also partnered with KELO-TV and SDPB to air concert performances.

While the pandemic closed the concert hall doors last spring, Teisinger said the SDSO has remained committed to sharing music. A collective effort to think differently and act with flexibility has made that possible and, she said, concerts are planned to resume in October.

“The SDSO team has been resilient, creative and proactive about figuring out how to edit, produce and push out digital content. Video editing is now a topic in every SDSO team meeting. Instagram takeovers, webinars with donors, and regular video updates to audiences are now a part of our new way of operating.”

New Methods + New Channels = New Audiences

According to Halverson, even in times of crisis, “The music plays on.” And in 2020 especially, resiliency, flexibility and creativity are key to making that possible.

Jennifer Teisinger, executive director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra (SDSO), has seen firsthand how new methods of delivery and new delivery channels have the potential to bring in new audiences for arts organizations.

“We’ve decided to not get hung up in the methodology of the delivery. Instead, we’re focused on getting the music out there and letting people be a part of it,” she said.

Since the onset of the pandemic, the SDSO has also utilized digital technologies to share music with existing fans, as well as new ones, thanks in part to grant support from the Community Foundation.

In addition to a new “Listen Now” section of its website, a dedicated online digital resource with links to streaming orchestral performances; #SDSOatHome, featuring solo and small ensemble orchestral performances; podcasts; lessons; and tutorials, the SDSO is also utilizing its social media channels to share content. With the help

Both Halverson and Teisinger agree that support from the Community Foundation as well as encouragement and engagement among community members are helping to make this moment in time easier.

“Music is healing. When we can listen to a song and it eases some of the tension we’re feeling, that’s huge. Turning to music now is so natural,” Halverson said. “But we couldn’t be this flexible if not for all the support we have from the community, including the Foundation. This is such a generous community. And the Foundation sets the tone for that.”

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Remembering a Visionary We continue to mourn the loss of Sue Brown, former president of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation from 1995-2006. Sue passed away peacefully at her home in the Black Hills surrounded by her family on Sunday, May 10, from metastatic breast cancer. She was 74.

ments,” Hanson said. “The award was worth $10 million over a five-year period. Dozens of agencies beyond the original participants eventually founded permanent endowments with Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.”

A Lifetime of Service Born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Brown went on to graduate from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.

As the second president of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, Sue Brown is remembered as an innovative, entrepreneurial and community-minded leader who nurtured a culture of giving and care. During her tenure, she developed a strong infrastructure for both operations and for grantmaking, while also building connections among nonprofits, local philanthropists and civic leaders — all contributions that helped put the organization on a strong trajectory for growth.

Candy Hanson served as president of the Foundation from 2006-2015 and knew Brown well. She called her a pioneer.

“Sue laid the foundation for a new Community Foundation era when she applied for and won a Kresge Foundation grant aimed at helping local nonprofits establish endow12 | FOR GOOD. FOR EVER.

Early in her career, she lived in Washington, D.C., where she served for a year as legislative secretary for Congressman Tom Railsback of Illinois and then began a management career as a housing specialist with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. She continued this work when she and her husband, Dick, moved to Omaha in 1972. While there, she began her role as a mother with the birth of her children: Matthew, Terra, and Jennifer.

After moving to Sioux Falls in 1979, Brown established a research and community development consulting business and served on boards for many nonprofit organizations in the fields of education, housing, and women’s issues, including the Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission, South Dakota Housing

Development Authority, YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, United Way and Volunteers of America. She also served on the boards of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Rotary, as well as serving two terms on the Sioux Falls School Board.

vision and a strong work ethic to lead the Foundation to great success. On top of it all, Sue was a good friend with a big heart. Her impact on the community was significant,” Daugaard said.

Hanson agreed.

In 2007, Sue and Dick moved to Custer, South Dakota, to be closer to their grandchildren. There, she served on the Boards of Custer Rotary, Custer Youth and Alumni Foundation, and the Custer County Planning Commission and briefly on the Board of the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. Sue and Dick formed Brown Associates, LLP, and were contracted as South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation Development Directors in 2008.

She received many awards for her volunteerism and community service, including the Dave Birkeland Award for leadership in Sioux Falls, YWCA award for women’s leadership, and Volunteers of America Youth Service Award. In 2008, she was inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. For her many contributions, and for her ongoing leadership in philanthropy, Brown was named the Friend of the Foundation in 2018.

Visionary, Servant Leadership Evan Nolte, former president of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, knew Brown well. He said she exemplified servant leadership.

“Sue Brown’s timeless legacy to the Sioux Falls area and state of South Dakota is truly one of exceptional servant leadership and tireless dedication to the mission of the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation throughout her career as President,” Nolte said. “After she and Dick moved to Custer to be closer to their family, they served as co-development directors for the South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation. Together, they provided effective leadership in helping secure funding for several major projects including the new Good Earth State Park at Blood Run near Sioux Falls and Harrisburg as well as the Outdoor Campus in Rapid City. We regret her passing, but realize that those of us who had the opportunity to work with her were blessed with seeing the best that a person can be.”

In addition to being an exceptional leader, former South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard remembers Brown as a good friend with a good heart.

“Sue combined a thoughtful, steady hand with great

“She was easy to love, to work with, and to work for.”

Hanson said. “Henry James said there are only three things important in life: ‘The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. The third is to be kind.’ Sue lived that advice everyday of her life. It’s little wonder she was beloved by donors and staff alike.”

“Sue combined a thoughtful, steady hand with great vision and strong work ethic to lead the Foundation to great success.”

— DENNIS DAUGAARD FORMER SOUTH DAKOTA GOVERNOR

Friends recall that Brown often called the Foundation the “place where her passion and professionalism came together.”

“The founding Board members had a vision of quality and what this organization could become for the community,” Brown once said. “People come through the door because they have a story, a wish, a tragedy, a desire to do something great for the community. It was a privilege to respond to whatever brought them through the door.”

Foundation President Andy Patterson said Brown’s good work is evident throughout the community today.

“Sue was an extraordinary leader whose thoughtful and visionary ideas have helped create the vibrant community we all call home today,” Patterson said.

“She was also a treasured friend and mentor to those of us who were privileged to work with her and know her. Words can’t express how much we will miss her.

Our thoughts and prayers remain with Sue’s family during this difficult time.”

If you would like to make a memorial gift in celebration of Sue’s life and legacy, please consider the Sue Brown Endowment at the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

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Experts in Philanthropy With Deep Roots in Our Community Providing community insights and analysis, as well as philanthropic expertise, strategy and service for: • Donor Advised Funds • Estate Planning/Legacy Funds • Designated and Field of Interest Funds • Scholarship Funds SFACF.ORG

IN GRATITUDE TO OUR SUSTAINING MEMBERS Gifts from sustaining members help the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation inspire philanthropy and generosity throughout the area.

PLATINUM Eide Bailly, LLP First Bank & Trust The First National Bank in Sioux Falls First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard Marsh & McLennan Agency Van Demark - Lavin Financial Advisors at RBC Wealth Management Wells Fargo

GOLD American Bank & Trust Boen & Associates, Inc. Boyce Law Firm, LLP Century Business Products, Inc. Citi CorTrust Bank Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP The Lindquist Group at Merrill Lynch, Bill and Steve Lindquist Sammons Financial Group Showplace Wood Products South Dakota Trust Company The Venrick Goeman Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith, P.C. First Dakota National Bank

SILVER Cutler Law firm, LLP Great Western Bank Legacy Law Firm, P.C. Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C. Redstone Law Firm, LLP

RSM US, LLP Thompson Law, PLLC Security National Bank of South Dakota Thurman, Comes & Foley, LLC Woltman Group, P.C.

BRONZE Brandt Solomon & Anderson, LLP Central Bank Fischer Rounds & Associates/ Wollman Insurance Group McKinneyOlson Insurance

INDIVIDUALS Wendy Aspaas Mavis Amundson Martha Baker Larry and Anita Bierman Dick Brown Rick and Holly Brunick Walt and Martha Carlson Greg and Sheri Carmon Scott and Carolyn Christensen Steve and Betty Crim Daniel and Sara Crosby Nate and Mary Dally Cara Lee Davis Tim and Tonya Dwire Kris and Steve Egger Stacy and David Erdmann Todd and Christie Ernst Tom and Barb Everist Mike and Lauri Finnegan Patrick and Susanne Gale

Doug and Anne Hajek Candy Hanson Wendy Hasche John and Ann Henkhaus Dan and Arlene Kirby Joe and Jennifer Kirby Kevin and Peggy Kirby Mary and Chris Kolsrud Linda Larson Angeline and Marshall Lavin Bill and Lorrae Lindquist Helen Madsen Tom and Susan McDowell Jeff and Mary Jo Murray Stephen and Mary Lynn Myers Lewis and Helen Ofstein Michael and Debby Olson Susie and Kim Patrick Andy and Sara Patterson Doug and Sandra Pay Steve and Marianne Perkins Paul and Lyndy Peterson Don and Ann Platt John and Eileen Quello Jimmie and Phil Rysdon Steve and Sarah Sarbacker Jeff and Katie Scherschligt Paul and Koni Schiller Aaron and Kimber Severson Jerry and Mary Pat Sweetman Richard and Kathleen Sweetman Mary and David Tidwell Richard and Michelle Van Demark Robert and Marilyn Van Demark Suzanne and Jon Veenis Jamie and Penny Volin Jerry and Pat Walton

L O C A L G I V I N G . L O C A L I M PA C T. During challenging times like these, the role of local philanthropy has never been more important.

The Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation extends our deepest thanks and appreciation to the hundreds of individuals, families and businesses who have made gifts to the One Sioux Falls Fund, an emergency fund designed to help those in the Sioux Falls MSA avoid eviction if they are unable to work due to COVID-19.

Your generosity and your spirit of care is making a difference in the lives of people right here in our community. Thanks to your support: Gifts and pledges to the One Sioux Falls Fund now total more than $3.3 million.

More than 2,900 individuals and families in our community have remained housed.

P L E A S E J O I N U S I N C E L E B R AT I N G T H E F O L L O W I N G M A J O R S PO N S O R S O F T H E O N E S I O U X F A L L S F U N D: BUS INES SES:

I N D I V I D UAL S/ FAMI L I E S :

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Dan & Janet Costello Bob & Rita Elmen Foundation Jim & Eloise Elmen Foundation J. Tyler & Michelle Haahr Bill & Carolyn Hinks Sandy Horst & Steve Isaacson Garry & Dianne Jacobson Steve & Suzie Kirby Nicki & Jeremy Mulder Dave & Becky Nelson Marlene Rance T. Denny Sanford Scott & Ronna Sletten Jim & Angie Soukup Tyler & Joni Stowater Pat & Jana Sweetman Gifts and pledges, as well as the number of individuals and families helped, are as of July 15, 2020.

FOR GOOD. FOR EVER.

SFACF. ORG

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PAID

Sioux Falls, SD Permit #7519

200 N. Cherapa Place Sioux Falls, SD 57103

SAVE THE DATE!

Agents of Change Save the date for Thursday, October 15, and join us for our 2020 Donor Reception, featuring the opening of “Agents of Change,” an exciting new exhibit at the Washington Pavilion’s Everist Gallery.

Featuring original artwork commissioned by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, as well as recent works from emerging local artists, this special evening will illustrate and celebrate the important ways art and philanthropy can intersect to help inspire us, unite us, open doors and drive meaningful change.

During the event, which also serves as our annual Donor Reception, we’ll also look back on the good work from our last fiscal year, and look ahead to future opportunities and possibilities.

MORE DETAILS COMING SOON!