Help needed: 23 South Dakota nonprofits vie for national grant dollars

Twenty-two Sioux Falls and South Dakota nonprofits have been approved to take the next step in a national competition for grant money, and they need our help to get them to the next stage.

Through "A Community Thrives," the Gannett Foundation, sponsored by the USA TODAY Network's parent company Gannett Inc., will offer more than a dozen grants totaling $2.3 million to organizations trying to improve their communities. 

The Sioux Falls nonprofits, whose work in the community covers a wide range of services affecting residents of all ages, entered a fundraising stage last week. In this phase, they will work to reach local fundraising goals in order to be eligible for grants. Winners will be announced on or around June 1. 

For 2019, A Community Thrives will award 16 grants and bonus promotions nationwide. Three participants will receive $100,000; seven will receive $50,000; six will receive $25,000; and weekly bonus promotions will total $200,000.

Donate to Fork Real Cafe’s campaign here.

Be the Change: Fork Real Cafe

One local couple is heading out on a new business venture to open up a restaurant in Rapid City.
But the purpose behind the cafe is about more than just food.

Co-owner of Fork Real Cafe, Rhonda Pearcy says, "I've always had a passion for cooking. It's kind of how I love on other people is cooking." Now Rhonda and her husband are taking that passion and turning it into a career, working to open a new restaurant in Rapid City.

But this cafe is about more than the menu. They're mixing food and community service together as one, inspired by One World, Everyone Eats.

David Pearcy says, "We're so blessed in this community. We felt like we need to provide an opportunity to give back, whether it be people who are living paycheck to paycheck and may need that meal at the end of the month or somebody who has no place to go."

The Girl Who Gives Back

Volunteer...

I am the Founder and Executive Director of Fork Real Community Café, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to increasing food security and community building through a unique pay-what-you-can restaurant model. In phase III, Fork Real will open the doors to everyone, regardless of means, to enjoy a nutritious home-cooked meal with dignity. Fork Real proudly serves alongside other organizations in Rapid City to strengthen relationships in our community while networking globally with OWEE-One World Everyone Eats.

It’s a blessing to be part of Fountain Springs Church where serving others is not what you do, but how you live it out day by day, with Love, INC where people are empowered with the tools to heal brokenness with unconditional love, with Safe Family where children are safe and loved, with the local mission and the Hope Center who give a powerful voice to the homeless, and the loving hearts of individuals in our area who do their part to make a difference.