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.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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.