Inaugural Faulkton Area Foundation Grants Awarded

The Faulkton Area Foundation announced the first-ever recipients of its biannual grants for local non-profit, non-government organizations. This cycle’s recipients were Faulk County Historical Society (Painting the Pickler Mansion) $1,000, United Methodist Church (Brown Bag Food) $1,500, Faulkton Elementary Student Council (Outdoor Learning Center) $1,000, and Faulkton Area Out of School Program (Technology Advancement) $3,000. Additionally, FAF will be providing a $1,000 scholarship to a 2021 graduating high school senior.

What the grant means to one recipient: Faulkton Area Out of School Program

“This grant is a huge step towards the FAOSP being able to implement a full tutoring/enrichment program and will allow us to expand our school-year and summer activities,” said April Sorensen, Faulkton Area Out of School Program (FAOSP) Director. “We are very grateful that the Foundation chose us to be a grant recipient.”

In its seventh year of service, the Out of School Program is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that facilitates the After School Enrichment Program, the Summer Recreation Program, and provides special programming for children in the Faulkton, SD area. It is licensed through the South Dakota Department of Social Services as an "out of school time child care" and is approved to accept child care assistance for families which qualify. 

“Our program has grown from a simple after-school child care organization to one that offers special recreation and enrichment programs,” said Sorensen.

The Afterschool Enrichment program and Summer Recreation program are open to children ages 5-13 with enrollment accepted on a contracted/tuition basis. Walk-ins are allowed, space permitting. News about upcoming programs can be found on the Faulkton Area Out of School Program Facebook Page.

“In the summer, our program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.,” said Sorensen. “We are an active group that can often be found at the park, ball-diamond, or pool. In the summer, swimming lessons are a part of our normal curriculum, as well as three to four field trips per year. We keep the kids busy and learning all year long.”

The special “series” programs that are offered throughout the year include Elementary Tumbling, Canvas Painting, Dance, Kids Cooking Club, Magic, Ball Drumming, and Science Camp. They are open to all children and scholarships are available. 

“The Foundation grant will be used for a technology upgrade to purchase some child friendly laptops, instructor technology, and improve our internet accessibility,” said Sorensen. “Our program provides help with homework and tutoring but with many of the homework assignments moving online, children were struggling to be able to fully utilize this service. We will also use the technology upgrade to improve the curriculum we use with the children for daily activities in the school year and summer program. We are hopeful that this new technology will allow us to provide improved art, science, reading, and wellness activities.”

About The Faulkton Area Foundation

The Faulkton Area Foundation was established in 2014 with the goal of raising an endowment that would allow 4.5 percent of the three year average value to be available as grants to Faulkton area nonprofits each year. With the endowment reaching over $250,000, the Foundation was able to launch its first grant application cycle on February 1, 2021.

The Faulkton Area Foundation is a Community Savings Account managed and invested by the South Dakota Community Foundation. The principal is never touched, making it a sustainable source of funding to help the community long into the future. However, the available grant funds are not static since the larger the investment, the more interest will be earned for awards. That investment is about to grow by over another $500,000 with the Foundation’s  “Chase the Ace” fundraiser coming to a close.

Next Faulkton Area Foundation Grant Cycle

The Foundation grant is biannual: the next application deadline is September 1, 2021 with grant recipients being announced on October 1, 2021. Follow the Foundation on Facebook to find out when applications open. Applications will eventually be available here.

Typically, applicants must be non-profit, non-government organizations, and repeat proposals from one organization within a 12-month period are discouraged. Projects involving significant and continuous volunteer support will be considered more favorably over projects with paid staff. Organizations granted funds will be expected to provide the foundation with a report about how the funds were spent and an evaluation of what made their program or project a success.

Faulkton Area Economic Development Corporation is Also Ready to Assist

The Faulkton Area Economic Development Corporation — the local entity dedicated to economic development in Faulk County — is also available to help you with your local business needs. Phone 605-598-3050 or 605-380-6785 or email Roger Deiter, Board President, at rogerdeiter@outlook.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Linkedin!

photos courtesy of Faulk County Record