About Us
We collaborate with our community to strengthen the Black Hills region for everyone.
About Black hills area Community Foundation
Our mission is to lead solutions, give with purpose, and thrive together.
We invest in nonprofits, help donors enjoy giving, and manage initiatives to address key issues. 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 2026, Black Hills Area Community Foundation manages $100 million in assets and has invested more than $45 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.
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.
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.
Eric Zimmer
Vice president of philanthropy & special projects
Kathleen Fitzgerald-Ellis, 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.
kathleen fitzgerald-ellis
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.
Carrie Robley
Director of Community Impact
Nicole Schlabach, Director of Strategic Communications
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.
Nicole Schlabach
DIRECTOR OF strategic communications
Greg Litton, Director of Strategic Housing
Greg leads the Foundation’s Strategic Housing Initiative to address affordable housing challenges in the Black Hills region. Through collaboration with key partners, he advances the Strategic Housing Trust Fund Model to improve housing accessibility and affordability.
Greg Litton
Director of Strategic Housing
Sarah Hanzel, Strategic Housing Manager
Sarah helps manage the Foundation’s Strategic Housing Initiative to address affordable housing challenges in the Black Hills region. Through collaboration with key partners, she advances the Strategic Housing Trust Fund Model to improve housing accessibility and affordability.
Sarah Hanzel
Strategic Housing Manager
Mallory Munz, Federal Grants Administrator
Mallory supports the Foundation’s Strategic Housing Initiative to address affordable housing challenges across the Black Hills region. She works closely with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to oversee the administration of grants that support the construction or retention of affordable units in local communities.
MALLORY MUNZ
FEDERAL GRANTS ADMINISTRATOR
Board members
Kelly Buntrock
Mike Tennyson
Richard Wahlstrom
Kassie McKie Shiffermiller
Urla Marcus
Brad Benham
JD Williams
Joseph lux
Justin DiBona
Marie High Bear
Priscilla Romkema
Rita Blasius
Roger knutsen
Terry Hermann
Chair, Rapid City
Vice Chair, Custer
Treasurer, Rapid City
Secretary, Rapid City
Member at Large, Spearfish
Rapid City
Sturgis
Hot Springs
Rapid City
Rapid City
Spearfish
Custer
Rapid City
STURGIS
Read our 2024 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.
View and flip the pages of the report below.
Download Impact Reports from previous years
2023 Impact Report
Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2023.
2022 Impact Report
Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2022.
2021 Impact Report
Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2021.
2020 Impact Report
Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2020.
2019-2016 Impact Reports
Read about the Community Foundation’s impact in 2019.
Financial overview
(as of JAN. 2026)
Total Assets:
$100 million
2025 charitable INVESTMENT
$7.1 million (includes grants, scholarships, fiscal sponsorship investments and affordable housing loans).
total charitable investment since 2006
$75 million (includes grants, scholarships, fiscal sponsorship investments and affordable housing loans).
2025 Grants & Scholarships
$5.7 million
total Grants & Scholarships since 2006
$45.3 million
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