About Us

We collaborate with our communities to create a thriving Black Hills, now and forever.

About the Community Foundation

The Black Hills Area Community Foundation is your partner in generosity.

Our team inspires donors to give, invests in charitable work and manages select community initiatives. We’re the only Community Foundation solely focused on serving the Black Hills area, spanning Butte, Meade, Lawrence, Pennington, Custer, Oglala Lakota and Fall River counties.

As of 2025, the Community Foundation manages $70 million in assets and has invested more than $40 million in grants and scholarships since its establishment in 2006.

Our values

Be the Community’s Foundation

We embrace the role of being a pillar of our community.

We foster a sense of unity, actively listening to our community and responding to its needs.

We provide tools that help people and organizations in the Black Hills thrive.

Take the Long View

We cultivate a legacy of significance and longevity for donors and our organization.

We are guided by our goal of creating lasting, sustainable impact in our investments and strategic decisions.

Stay Curious

We bring an open mindset and curiosity to every interaction.

We believe continuous learning and education drive organizational and community growth.

GROW TOGETHER

We embrace a spirit of collaboration.

We encourage open dialogue with all our partners to address community needs.

Staff members

Chris Huber, President & CEO

Chris provides leadership to the Foundation by overseeing strategic initiatives, cultivating partnerships, and ensuring the organization's continued growth and impact in the philanthropic landscape of the Black Hills region.

Contact Chris

Chris Huber
PRESIDENT & CEO

Barb Keene, Director of Operations

Barb orchestrates the seamless functioning of the Community Foundation by managing day-to-day activities and fostering a collaborative working environment to support the Community Foundation's mission.

Contact Barb

Barb Keene
Director of Operations

Eric Zimmer, Vice President of Philanthropy & Special Projects

Eric leads the Foundation's efforts in building and nurturing relationships with donors, implementing strategic philanthropic initiatives, and ensuring a sustained flow of resources to support the diverse needs of the Black Hills community.

Contact Eric

Eric Zimmer
Vice president of philanthropy & special projects

Kathleen Fitzgerald-Ellis, Associate Director of Philanthropy – Northern Hills

Kathleen focuses on advancing philanthropic endeavors in the Northern Hills region by building relationships with donors, facilitating strategic giving, and ensuring that the unique needs of the Northern Hills community are met.

Contact Kathleen

kathleen fitzgerald-ellis
associate director of philanthropy-northern hills

Carrie Robley, Director of Community Impact

Carrie spearheads the Foundation's grants and scholarships programs. Her work contributes to positive change in the Black Hills area by collaborating with nonprofits and community members to implement impactful programs and address our region’s pressing needs.

Contact Carrie

Carrie Robley
Director of Community Impact

Nicole Schlabach, Strategic Communications Manager

Nicole manages the Foundation's communications, building strong community connections through clear, transparent messaging. She designs strategies to engage the Foundation's diverse audiences and partners in ways that strengthen our region.

Contact Nicole

Nicole Schlabach
strategic communications manager

Greg Litton, Director of Strategic Housing

Greg leads the Foundation’s Strategic Housing Initiative to address housing challenges in the Black Hills region. Through collaboration with key partners, he works towards advancing the Strategic Housing Trust Fund Model to improve housing accessibility and affordability.

Contact Greg

Greg Litton
Director of Strategic Housing

Rae Carlson, Strategic Housing Specialist

Rae supports the Foundation's Strategic Housing Initiative, advancing partnerships to create or retain affordable housing across the Black Hills region. She focuses on funding administration, database management and stakeholder engagement.

Contact Rae

rae carlson
strategic housing specialist

Board members

Kelly Buntrock

Mike Tennyson

Kassie McKie Shiffermiller

Steve Flanery

Terry Hermann

Brad Benham

Joseph Lux

Justin DiBona

Marie High Bear

Priscilla Romkema

RC Scull

Richard Wahlstrom

Roger Knutsen

Urla Marcus, EdD

JD Williams

Chair, Rapid City

Vice Chair, Custer

Treasurer, Rapid City

Secretary, Rapid City

Past Chair, Sturgis

Rapid City

Hot Springs

Rapid City

Rapid City

Spearfish

Rapid City

Rapid City

Rapid City

Spearfish

Sturgis

Read our 2023 Impact Report

Each year, we create an impact report featuring stories that highlight the accomplishments of the previous year. This magazine-style report emphasizes the range of services and programs dedicated to serving donors, nonprofits and the broader community.

Download Impact Reports from previous years

2022 Impact Report

Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2022.

Download PDF

2021 Impact Report

Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2021.

Download PDF

2020 Impact Report

Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2020.

Download the PDF

2019-2016 Impact Reports

Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2019.

Download the 2019 PDF

Download the 2018 PDF

Download the 2017 PDF

Download the 2016 PDF

Financial overview

(as of JAN. 1, 2025)

Total Assets:

$70 million

2024 charitable INVESTMENT

$13.7 million (includes grants, scholarships, fiscal sponsorship investments and affordable housing loans).

total charitable investment since 2006

$65 million (includes grants, scholarships, fiscal sponsorship investments and affordable housing loans).

2024 Grants & Scholarships

$4.5 million

total Grants & Scholarships since 2006

$40 million

Connect with us

Start a conversation with our team. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.