Members of the Black Hills by Choice giving circle vote on nonprofits by placing stickers on a billboard at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City on June 6, 2023. (Nicole Schlabach/Black Hills Area Community Foundation)
Five Black Hills nonprofits received a $5,000 grant in June of 2023 thanks to a giving circle organized by the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. The grants support Youth & Family Services, Working Against Violence, Inc., Black Hills Playhouse, TeamMates Mentoring and Wambli Ska.
Members of the giving circle, Black Hills by Choice, met at the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City on June 6 to direct the grants by voting on a list of Black Hills nonprofits. The nonprofits with the most votes won a grant, each requested by the nonprofit for a particular purpose.
Black Hills by Choice is one of three giving circles led by the Foundation. Giving circle members socialize, learn about nonprofits and direct grants to serve their communities. Black Hills by Choice meets twice each year. The other giving circles are Southern Hills by Choice and Northern Hills by Choice, both of which meet annually.
Youth & Family Services will use the dollars to deliver mental health services to low-income children and families, while Black Hills Playhouse will replace convection equipment for its commercial kitchen. The grant directed to TeamMates Mentoring will partially compensate for a program coordinator position at the nonprofit. Wambli Ska will purchase supplies for Native American communities to create regalia and traditional clothing.
Working Against Violence, Inc. (WAVI) plans to offset increased food costs so that its clients, who have been affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking or stalking, have access to fresh meals.
“With the cost of food continuously climbing, coupled with the increase of services requested, the $5,000 grant from Black Hills Area Community Foundation will help ease the stress on our food budget,” said Kristina Simmons, development director at WAVI.
While clients shelter at WAVI, Simmons said, adults and children receive three nutritious meals each day, plus snacks and drinks. Clients outside of the shelter can also request emergency food boxes, she said.
If you are interested in learning more about Black Hills by Choice, email info@bhacf.org or call 605-718-0112.
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