Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant

These grants remember the caring nature and generosity of longtime Rapid City resident Gwendolyn L. Stearns. Grants to nonprofit organizations located in Rapid City are made via a competitive, invitation-only application process.

The Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation has given over $9 million to local nonprofits since the year 2000. In 2026, the organization partnered with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation and will continue to give via a competitive, invitation-only application process. Decisions to invite applications and make grants are made by the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation’s board of directors.

Overview

In honor of Gwendolyn L. Stearns, the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Board recommends a series of annual grants to support nonprofit organizations in and serving the Rapid City community.

Grant applications are welcomed by invitation only. Grant amounts are determined by the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Board, but usually range from $5,000 to $30,000.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be invited by the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Board to apply.
Applicants must be an IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, school, government entity or religious organization.
Requested support must be for organizations or activities that take place within Rapid City, South Dakota or have a direct program connection to the Rapid City community.
Per Gwendolyn L. Stearns’ wishes, priority is given to organizations working to improve the cultural and social welfare or aesthetic beautification of Rapid City; to support the underserved, especially women and girls; and to promote education and science in the community.

Ineligible Projects

Funding will not support political activity or organizations working primarily to influence legislation.
Supported organizations and activities may not discriminate against any individual or group based on race, gender, gender expression, age, disability, religion, ethnic or national origin, or otherwise legally protected groups.
Projects or programs outside Rapid City.
Capital campaigns/bricks and mortar projects.

Grant Review Criteria

Each May, the Gwendolyn L. Stearns board will invite a select list of eligible nonprofits to apply for a grant. Applications are by invitation only.

Applications are based upon:

The applicant organization’s fit with the criteria described above.
How the organization or project responds to a clear and compelling community need.
The availability of grant funds.

How To Apply

Invited applicants will receive instructions on how to access the application portal.

Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Board

The following volunteers steward Gwendolyn L. Stearn’s charitable wishes and make grant decisions based on her intentions and the needs of the Rapid City community:

Malcom Chapman

Joe Guttierez

Jade Herman

Janine Kern

Jamie Kirsch

Brendyn Medina

Kathy Miller

Pam Teaney Thomas

Dave True

2025 Grantees

Black Hills Center for Aging

Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention

Allied Arts Fund

Catholic Social Services

Consumer Credit Counseling Service

C.O.R.E. Freshman Impact

Cornerstone Rescue Mission

Dakota Wesleyan

Feeding South Dakota

Friends of the Children

Girl Scouts-Dakota Horizons

Journey On

Kiwanis

Lifeways

Literacy Council of the Black Hills

Lutheran Social Services

St Isaac Jogues/Mother Butler Center

One Heart

Passages

Rapid City Arts Council

Rapid City Beautification Committee

Rapid City Club for Boys, Inc.

Rapid City Urban Forestry Board

Retired Senior Volunteer Program

Rural America Initiatives

Seventh Circuit CASA Program

Starting Strong

SunCatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy

United Way of the Black Hills

Volunteers of America, Dakotas

Western SD Senior Services

Working Against Violence, Inc.

About the Grant

Opening Date: 06/01

Closing Date: 07/31

Grant Amount: $30,000

Funding Area: All Funding Areas

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About the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation Grant

Gwendolyn L. Stearns, 1904-2000

Gwendolyn L. Stearns spent more than 60 years in the Rapid City community, supporting numerous causes as a volunteer and donor during her life. Born in Sweden in 1904, she attended college in North Dakota. She moved to Rapid City and then married Clifton Robbins Stearns, a local businessman, in 1937. The Stearns’ were active in civic and social life of Rapid City for many years. After Clifford passed away in 1958, Gwendolyn remained engaged in local affairs. She supported the local hospital, the Dahl Fine Arts Center, the West Boulevard Association, SD Mines sororities, and more. She was also involved with the cleanup following the 1972 flood, helped families stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, and gave to her faith community at the First Congregational Church.

In the 1990s, Gwendolyn began working with local attorneys to establish a private foundation. Upon her death in 2000, the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation was capitalized with assets from Gwendolyn’s estate and its all-volunteer board of directors began giving annual grants in her name and according to her wishes and evolving community needs. In the first 25 years after Gwendolyn’s death, the Gwendolyn L. Stearns Foundation gave over $9 million to local nonprofits. In 2026, the board partnered with the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to make its application process more streamlined and accessible to nonprofit applicants and to increase its charitable impact in Rapid City.