Beyond Idea Grant Program

The Beyond Idea Grant Program is administered by the South Dakota Community Foundation in partnership with the Bush Foundation. This initiative is designed to support community-based problem solving across the state of South Dakota by investing in innovative ideas and strengthening leadership capacity. The program commits significant long-term funding, distributing approximately 1.2 million dollars annually over a six-year period. Its overarching goal is to inspire, equip, and connect leaders who are working to advance equitable change and improve quality of life within their communities. The program supports both new and established projects that demonstrate a clear commitment to developing, testing, and expanding ideas that benefit South Dakota communities. Applicants are expected to propose initiatives that are community-centered, feasible, and capable of generating meaningful local impact. The foundation places strong emphasis on inclusive engagement, stakeholder involvement, and evidence that the applicant organization has the capacity to execute the proposed project or a clear plan to build that capacity. Projects should reflect thoughtful planning and demonstrate how they will move communities forward in tangible ways. Funding through the Beyond Idea Grant Program ranges from 5,000 to 100,000 dollars per year, depending on the stage of the project. Up to 50,000 dollars per year may be awarded for developing ideas, while up to 100,000 dollars per year may be provided for testing and expanding them. The program does not require matching funds, although applicants are encouraged to demonstrate additional community support through other funding sources or in-kind contributions. Funds may not be used for political campaigns, discriminatory practices, personal gain, loans, construction projects, or operating expenses for governmental entities. Eligibility is limited primarily to public nonprofit organizations as defined by IRS Publication 78, although organizations without nonprofit status may apply through a verified fiscal sponsor. All funded projects must benefit communities within South Dakota. The foundation enforces strict non-discrimination policies and requires that all applicants adhere to inclusive practices. Fiscal sponsors may submit multiple applications on behalf of different applicants, but only one application per year is permitted for any single applicant organization. Applications must be submitted through the South Dakota Community Foundation’s GOapply online portal. Applicants are encouraged to review sample application materials and budgets prior to submission to ensure completeness. The process involves registering or logging into the portal, selecting the Beyond Idea Grant opportunity, completing all required application fields, and submitting before the deadline. Applications are reviewed by a committee composed of community leaders, with final funding decisions approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The application cycle opens annually on June 1 and closes on June 30 at 12 p.m. Central Time. Late submissions are not accepted. Award recipients are typically announced in November. Following award distribution, grantees are required to complete due diligence documentation prior to receiving funds and must submit a final evaluation report at the conclusion of their project. Participation in shared learning sessions with other grantees is also encouraged to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange across the state. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, with one application round each year.

Strong applications demonstrate clear community impact, inclusive stakeholder engagement, realistic implementation plans, and organizational capacity to execute the project