Fall River Area Foundation grants nearly $41,000

  • Fall River Area Foundation board members, on left, including Brett Nachtigall, and Lindsay Luper (both standing), along with Barb Miller and Cherie Largent (both seated) pose with representatives from 10 different local non-profits that were recently awarded a total of $40,910 in grants for various projects.
    Fall River Area Foundation board members, on left, including Brett Nachtigall, and Lindsay Luper (both standing), along with Barb Miller and Cherie Largent (both seated) pose with representatives from 10 different local non-profits that were recently awarded a total of $40,910 in grants for various projects.

    HOT SPRINGS – The Fall River Area Foundation (FRAF) recently presented checks totaling nearly $41,000 to 10 different non-profit organizations within the Fall River County area.

    Founded in 1998, the FRAF has given back more than $400,000 to support nonprofit projects in the Fall River area. In 2009, the board met a challenge from First Interstate Foundation and South Dakota Community Foundation and raised $10,000 each year for five years. In return, the FIB Foundation matched that and contributed a total of $50,000, and South Dakota Community Foundation contributed another $25,000. Additional investments into the fund are ongoing through the generosity of local residents.

    Following is a list of the 2026 donor recipients and the projects which are receiving assistance from the FRAF in varying amounts.

    • Springs Senior Citizen Center: Flooring for the pool room

    • Bethesda Lutheran Church & School: Purchase of TV, console, tablets, projector, etc., for multi-use room.

    • Buffalo Gap Blowout: Small Arena for public use at rodeo grounds

    • Hot Springs Ministerial Association: Food for the food pantry

    • Seven Sisters Youth Garden: Youth garden setup and supplies

    • Freshman Impact: One-day program teaching risk taking behaviors to freshman students in Hot Springs, Edgemont and Oelrichs

    • City of Edgemont: Windshiled neering for pickleball courts

    • Battle Mountain Humane Society: New gates for dog kennels

    • Northern Nevada Moses Project: Random Acts 2035 effort to provide schools supplies to local students

    • Chautauqua Craftsmen and Artisans of the Black Hills: Casting/molding of the Joe Foss maquette sculpture to be placed in downtown Hot Springs The FRAF is planning to have another round of grants available later in the year. If your organization would like to be considered for the second round of disbursement funds, please complete the Grant Application form, and return it to First Interstate Bank, 343 S. Chicago/ PO Box 1110, Hot Springs, SD 57747 or at 501 Second Ave/PO Box 9, Edgemont, SD 57735 Grant Application forms are available at First Interstate Bank in Hot Springs or Edgemont or online at www. sdcommunityfoundation.org/localimpact/community-foundations/fall-river.