Leave a Lasting Legacy

With gift planning, you can meet your personal financial goals while supporting the causes you care about through the South Dakota Community Foundation.

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Donor Stories

SDCF Donor Stories

SDCF Donor Stories

  • Charles & Lois Ann Rose [Donor Advised Fund / Scholarship Fund / Bequest]
    Charles and Lois Ann Rose are native South Dakotans. Charles came from a Meade County farm/ ranch near Sturgis and Lois was...
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  • Larry Owen [Charitable Remainder Trust]
    The best way to describe Larry Owen's involvement as a founding member of the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is to understand his long held friendship with and respect for...
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  • Mansour Karim [Endowment]
    Mansour Karim immigrated to the United States from Iran in 1950 at age 22 with just $27 in his pocket. In 2018, Karim, who passed away in 2019, celebrated his 90th birthday in...
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  • Phyllis Hanse – Endowment / Bequest
    Phyllis Hanse was a beloved member of Webster, South Dakota and taught piano lessons there for many years. She passed away in 2016, leaving a legacy of generosity for the Webster...
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  • Craig Matthesen – Endowment / Bequest
    Craig Matthesen was the definition of a small town businessman. He prided himself on providing local service to the Huron community for decades as the owner of Freeze Frame...
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  • A former resident of Webster, South Dakota
    My father died when I was only 15 years old and college seemed like an unattainable goal. With no family financial assistance available, I worked throughout high school and was able...
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  • Vern Jones – Charitable Remainder Trust
    Vern Jones was a farmer and rancher for 63 years - ever since he was six years old. He had a love of the land but knew when...
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  • Jeff & Linda Erickson – Donor Advised Fund
    In both family and career, Jeff and Linda Erickson's life together may best be described in the words of Henry David Thoreau "Success...
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  • Bill Matousek – Endowment/​Community Foundation
    To those who knew him, Bill Matousek was the epitome of generosity. Betterment of the Tripp County community was extremely...
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  • Stephanie Miller Davis – Donor Advised Fund
    Stephanie Miller Davis was a beloved mother, wife, friend, and community volunteer. In her lifetime, she touched countless...
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  • Dan and Arlene Kirby – Endowment
    Native South Dakotans Dan and Arlene Kirby of Sioux Falls are longtime supporters of SDCF's ability to create legacy charitable...
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  • Steele Family [Scholarship Fund]
    Though the Steele family lives hundreds of miles away from Faulkton, South Dakota, the connection they feel to students who benefit from the scholarship fund they established in their hometown deepens each year.
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  • Gary & Connie Grittner - Donor Advised Fund
    The Gary and Connie Grittner story begins like many others. Neither family had money for college, but both Gary and Connie were strongly encouraged to get an education, and both achieved advanced degrees.
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  • Lori and Wayne Ibarolle [Memorial Gift]
    Looking for a way to memorialize their daughter Khrista, who at the age of 31 was killed during a carjacking incident in California, Lori and Wayne Ibarolle contacted the Boys & Girls Club of Yankton.
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  • Dr. Reuben Bareis [Tax Planning]
    Passing down the Christian tradition of "in giving, comes receiving" was the way Dr. Reuben Bareis and his late wife Marlowe lived their life and raised their family.
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  • Scott & Julia Jones [Endowment]
    More than 200 years ago, theologian John Wesley wrote, "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can."
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  • Harlan and Mae Niedermyer - Faith, Family, and Friends
    Harlan and Mae Niedermyer lived frugal and faithful lives. They felt it was more important to be generous with the gifts they'd received in life than live in excess.
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  • Doug and Linda Buri
    Doug and Linda Buri of Milbank have been selected for the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) Hometown Hero Award.
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  • Mary and Michael Fuchs
    What better way to honor his wife, thought Michael Fuchs, than setting up a fund at the South Dakota Community Foundation to help some of the young women she cares most deeply about?
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  • Jack and Ruth Cannon
    Community involvement discussions in the Rapid City area invariably come around to the late Jack and Ruth Cannon.
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  • Glenna Fouberg: Volunteer/Fundraiser
    South Dakota, Aberdeen and the South Dakota Community Foundation lost a strong and compassionate community leader when Glenna Fouberg passed away in early 2021. With her death, the less fortunate among us lost a powerful advocate. As her husband Rod summarized, Glenna "had a place in her heart for people who got left behind."
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  • Chad Locken — Facilitating the Impact Charitable Giving Can Have Locally
    Chad Locken, an attorney in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and native of neighboring Groton, has a strong connection to his small-town roots.
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  • Kurt Solay—Helping Clients Make a Difference Through Charitable Giving
    A Parkston South Dakota native, Kurt Solay has been practicing law for over 30 years. "Time goes by fast when you're having fun."
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  • Mitzel Family Creates Two Endowments under Herreid Community Foundation to Benefit Local Area Foreve
    In 2022, Bruce Brandner, HCF Advisory Council member, and Jamie Farmen, SDCF Community Development Coordinator...
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  • Randy Franssens [Designated Funds]
    Randy Franssens was recently presented with the SDCF Hometown Hero award from Jeff Veltkamp, Director of Development.
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  • Harley & Sharlene Hoffman Family Fund - Donor Advised Fund
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization. They believe it is important to help further our mission.
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  • Sam F. Weller Family Foundation [Donor Advised Funds]
    The Weller Family Foundation is one of many legacies SDCF is honored to assist in creating. Richard "Dick" Weller, son of Sam F. Weller, first...
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  • Generational Philanthropy with Jim and Vicki Lust
    Jim and Vicki Lust of Aberdeen have partnered with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) to facilitate their charitable giving since 2012.
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  • Joseph Neumayr [Estate Gifts]
    The South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) is pleased to announce its receipt of a more than $200,000 gift from the late Joseph Neumayr of...
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  • Hansen and Murphy/Hauk Scholarships [Scholarships]
    SDCF is honored to work with families as they memorialize their loved ones through scholarship funds. We have the privilege of sharing the stories of...
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  • Jim & Sarah DeWitt [Nonpermanent Funds]
    Most funds held with SDCF are permanently endowed. In recent years, SDCF has received requests asking for a nonpermanent option. To meet the needs of donors...
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  • Charles and Kathie Hart [Donor Advised Funds]
    Dr. Charles and Kathie Hart have given back to South Dakota in more ways than one, and their devotion to continue giving back isn't stopping any time soon.
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  • William K. Kingdon Leaves Lasting Legacy for Huron Community
    Because of the late William "Bill" Keith Kingdon's generosity, local nonprofits will benefit for years to come through the William K. Kingdon...
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  • Gail and Delores Miller Foundation Grants Over $5 Million to South Dakota Nonprofits
    Because of the generosity and vision of the late Gail and Delores Miller, many charitable causes in South Dakota will benefit for years to come.
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  • A Caregiving Legacy: Quint Family Scholarship
    The Quint Family Scholarship symbolizes a lifelong commitment to caregiving, dedication to giving back and the legacy of four sisters, all of whom dedicated their lives to nursing.
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  • A Life Interwoven with Philanthropy with Elmer Karl
    A thriving community relies on members to work together to create a brighter tomorrow. Luckily for Gregory, SD, giving back to his hometown is...
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  • Creating a Charitable Legacy through a Gift Annuity
    John and Penny Porter grew up in the Pierre and Fort Pierre area. Their roots run deep near the Missouri River in central South Dakota. "We met...
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  • Empowering Dreams: Franklin Krause New Horizons Scholarship
    Franklin Krause attended his first eight grades of school in a one-room schoolhouse near Claire City, South Dakota, and went on to graduate from...
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Gift Examples

  • Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were age 55 when they purchased some land outside of town, and they thought it would be a good investment that they could later sell.
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  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia was ready to retire.
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  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities.
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  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was so pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that built it.
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  • Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. Now, Gene and Carol are looking for a way to save taxes.
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  • The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she inherited the farm. Now, several developers would like to build homes on the farmland.
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  • Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their children. After her spouse passed, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her home.
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  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Lewis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially.
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  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought their first home many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their children could spend their summers along the lake.
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  • Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.
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  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.
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  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock. It turned out to be a very wise decision.
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  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased a home many years ago for $80,000. The home has appreciated substantially over the years and is now worth $420,000.
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  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work.
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  • Leading for the Future
    Luke and Candice spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.
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  • Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting the Wills Planner on her favorite charity's website, June, a surviving spouse, came across the idea of a Give it Twice Trust.
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  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Joe and Kathy worked for years building their nest egg for retirement. They also want to provide for their children.
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