First Interstate Bank stages companywide Volunteer Day

Nonprofits can now register to participate in the 2024 South Dakota Day of Giving, South Dakota’s annual statewide giving day. This year’s South Dakota Day of Giving, which coincides with the nationally recognized Giving Tuesday, falls on Dec. 3, 2024. Between now and then, giving day organizer South Dakota Gives will be working to build excitement and equip participants to plan successful campaigns. 

“The South Dakota Day of Giving is a celebration of generosity,” said Eric McDowell of South Dakota Gives. “We see that spirit of generosity – of people coming together to make good happen in their communities – every day of the year. But the Day of Giving is an opportunity to bring special focus to the critical role South Dakota nonprofits and their supporters play in meeting basic needs, enhancing quality of life, and driving local employment and economies across the state.” 

Nonprofits must register to participate by Oct. 21. The registration form is available at southdakotagives.org/register. 

By signing up to participate, registrants receive access to planning resources, training materials, and events. Each year, a prize pool is distributed before, during, and after the South Dakota Day of Giving, with prizes awarded to the winners of contests that are designed to encourage nonprofits to apply best practices in fundraising and communications. 

To participate, organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits (or nonprofits with fiscal sponsors) that are primarily located and provide services in the state of South Dakota. All funds raised through the South Dakota Day of Giving go directly from donors to nonprofits themselves, through whatever means they typically receive gifts. Participation in the South Dakota Day of Giving is entirely free. 

Last year, more than 425 nonprofits of all sizes – from large universities and health systems to volunteer-run animal shelters and food pantries – registered to participate in the South Dakota Day of Giving. While some participants raised thousands of dollars for their mission, others focused on recruiting volunteers, building their social media following, or raising awareness of critical community issues. Altogether, participants reported raising $1.8 million last year, engaging nearly 7,000 donors. 

“The South Dakota Day of Giving is a fantastic way to see the ways that groups around the state are imagining and working toward a bright future for everyone in our state!” said Brandi Charging Eagle, individual giving manager at Sicangu Co in Mission. “Wopila for your generous support of this special day.”  

“The generosity of all who contribute to the South Dakota Day of Giving is truly awesome in every sense of the word!” said Francis Fortune of Suncatcher Therapeutic Riding Academy just outside Rapid City. “Nonprofits are driven by passion and purpose and volunteers... and those volunteers have their lives changed, and they go home, and they change their communities!” 

The South Dakota Day of Giving was established seven years ago by South Dakota Gives, a project of the Rapid City–based nonprofit Rural Philanthropy Institute (RPI). RPI brings practitioners, academics, and interested people together to develop data, share stories and experiences, and gain insights that offer a greater understanding of what’s required to have a healthy community in rural areas.

To learn more, visit southdakotagives.org or email hello@southdakotagives.org.