RAPID CITY, S.D.–Black Hills Federal Credit Union (BHFCU) said it has leveraged a $3:$1 matching grant program from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines, totaling $350,000 in support of four South Dakota nonprofits.
The goal of the Member Impact Fund matching grant program is to support organizations with missions promoting affordable housing or community development. That’s why BHFCU chose to apply for grants supporting Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity, the Black Hills Soccer Federation, Abbott House, and the Veterans Community Project of Sioux Falls (VCP). Each organization received $87,500, comprised of a $25,000 BHFCU donation and a $62,500 FHLB match.
“As a Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity board member, I have the privilege of witnessing the passion this organization brings to addressing the affordable housing need in our community,” said Holli Edwards, VP Marketing at BHFCU. “Their impact goes beyond providing just a home. Partner families invest time into their homes and are given the opportunity to build equity and a solid future for their families.”
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity is currently working on a new housing development, East Creek Village, with plans for 40 affordable homes. The mixed-income development will offer 40 townhomes for low-to-moderate-income Rapid City residents, including public service workers, first responders, teachers, and healthcare workers. Funds will be used to support the development of this new subdivision and for traditional Habitat housing.
In partnership with the City of Rapid City, the Black Hills Soccer Federation leases and maintains a local year-round training and multi-sport facility for athletes of all ages, ensuring growth and opportunity for all. Plans for facility upgrades are underway, allowing for expanded tournaments, attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. The complex is home to several college, high school, and youth soccer teams including the over 2,000 Black Hills Rapids soccer players, as well as lacrosse, football, and ultimate frisbee leagues and tournaments.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the Black Hills Soccer Federation strengthens the community through inclusive programs, empowering youth, and encouraging physical wellness,” CFO Jarrod Reisner said. “The completion of full lighting across the entire complex and new turf will extend playtime and utilization of the complex, allowing for expanded tournaments and more multi-sport usage for athletes of all ages.”
Since 1939, Abbott House has served youth and their families as they navigate through some of life’s most difficult challenges. What started as a single home in Mitchell, South Dakota, has grown into a program serving hundreds of children and families across the state. Abbott House programs include Bridges Intensive Foster Care, Residential Treatment, Independent Living, Adolescent Crisis Care, and Adolescent Addiction Recovery. Each helps to create a supportive environment for children.
“As an Abbott House Foundation Board Member, I’ve had a front row seat to witness the impact of their youth programs,” said CEO Jerry Schmidt. “The more than 1,500 Abbott House alums over the last decade are a testament to their necessary work. With the acquisition of WellFully, we look forward to seeing their reach expand even further.”
What began as an idea dreamed up by four combat veterans in Kansas City has expanded to six Villages across the nation, including the Sioux Falls Village, which broke ground in June 2022. Located on a two-acre site in northwest Sioux Falls, the community features 25 fully furnished tiny homes paired with on-site, wraparound support services. These services include housing assistance, physical and mental health care, educational opportunities, career navigation, and the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program, among others. The ribbon cutting for the tiny home sponsored by BHFCU is scheduled for early this summer.
“The Veterans Community Project plays a vital role in strengthening the Sioux Falls community by addressing the long-term needs of veterans through housing stability and comprehensive support services,” Joey Rotert, VP Eastern Market at BHFCU, shared. “Their work delivers meaningful, measurable impact for those who have served and for the community as a whole.”
