Sioux Falls Nonprofits and Charities

As a Phlebotomist and Medical Lab Assistant at Avera McKennan Hospital, I’m used to working behind the scenes—quietly, precisely, and with care. But nothing compares to the experience I had volunteering with IMAHELPS ECUADOR on their April 2025 medical mission to Cayambe.<br>During our time there, I had the privilege of performing dozens of blood draws for patients—many of whom had never received a proper medical evaluation before. Each patient brought their own story and strength, and I did my best to make them feel safe, seen, and respected during what was, for many, a vulnerable and unfamiliar experience.<br>What struck me most was how the IMAHELPS ECUADOR team functioned like a family. From the translators to the physicians, from local volunteers to international ones, everyone had one goal: to serve with compassion. It was humbling and empowering to be part of such a focused and caring mission.<br>My husband Jerry and I chose to spend our vacation time doing this work, and we also support IMAHELPS ECUADOR throughout the year as donors. We believe in their mission deeply—not just because of what they do, but how they do it. The love and dignity they bring to each patient interaction is something truly rare.<br>I’ve returned to my work at Avera McKennan inspired and hopeful. I’m also doing what I can to encourage more of my colleagues and friends in healthcare to get involved—whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word.<br>The people we served in Ecuador touched my heart. And the opportunity to help, even in a small way, is something I will carry with me always.<br>— Jenalin Reyna, Sioux Falls, SD<br>

Working with this organization has been a blessing. The SDHCC works directly to promote economic development in the Latino community, but also does so much more. The SDHCC brings many demographics of the community together. They help families in so many ways, from toys at Christmas to filing paperwork. They fight hard for the community at large.

Nineteen months ago I lost my beloved son to the disease of addiction from heroin and fentanyl. At that time in my life, I felt so alone with the stigma of guilt and shame and having no resources to cope with my depression, emotions, and grief. I then found Emily’s Hope support group and started attending meetings which gave me the opportunity and encouragement to work through my grief. I would have been lost without Emily’s Hope and I cannot imagine being without this support group. I have learned about the stigma behind addiction disorder, how to cope with my depression, anxiety, and grief, and now I’m stronger than before to share my son’s story. Emily’s Hope has helped countless others and continues to educate on the dangers of addiction and the awareness of the fentanyl epidemic that is sweeping across our country. Emily’s Hope has been a blessing to our community and I’m beyond grateful for this organization.

This ministry has been an instrumental part of my walk with the Lord, it has shaped my walk with the Lord by revealing deeper facets of His character and love. Through teachings, worship, and the value of discipleship, I have grown not only in my personal faith but also in understanding the importance of walking alongside others. The relationships I’ve formed have been so important and special, offering accountability, encouragement, and shared wisdom, which has helped me see the significance of living out my faith authentically and grounded in the Word. Having leaders and mentors who are genuinely invested in my growth has been life-changing; their guidance and example have inspired me to lead and disciple others with humility and love. <br>Overall, this ministry has transformed my life, providing a foundation of truth and fellowship that continues to shape who I am and my walk with God.

Great Mission, great staff, has contributed millions in support. They bring in over 100,000 guests per year.

My step-daughter has attended Children's Connection for the last three years. It has made a great difference in her attitude. She isn't angry at her Dad anymore for the crimes he committed. Great program and it doesn't cost anything.

Absolutely horrible.<br>I contacted ERLS in regards to serious & egregious conduct by my Landlord, which caused me serious health issues.<br>From the start ERLS very little concern, little competence, and less desire to do a good job.<br>On intake they simply wanted to gather very little info, without gathering enough to make reasonable nor better informed decisions.<br>Then they proceeded to give me advice that ran counter to state & federal agencies I was dealing with. When I tried explaining this to the they argued, then cut off contact.<br>They brought up & then focused on topics I never mentioned. Worse, they continued focusing on those topics, despite being completely irrelevant.<br><br>I got bad attitude & even worse advice from day one.<br>ERLS just isn't worth the hassle.<br>Most of their budget comes from government grants, so that seems to be their only concern, they could give a darn if they actually serve their clients well or not.<br><br>Beware ERLS.

Why does Becky Rasmussen CEO have a salary of $125,000 / year? Is that excessive for a small non-profit? Why is there such high turnover at the organization? Do you know where your donations are going to?

Kingdom Boundaries was monumental in my transition back into the community. They provided a safe Christian based environment for me to live and grow in. They also helped me rapidly find employment, provided transportation, and helped communicate with my counselors and parole officer. The adjustment is difficult for all parolees but Kingdom Boundaries assisted in alleviating much of the stress associated with it. I'm grateful and blessed for Kingdom Boundaries.

This agency through their Project Impact program has done amazing work with our son and others like him. The focus is mentally ill homeless and we have witnessed first hand the difference they have made in the lives of those they help by using creative ideas to get them on a sustainable medication program and finding housing ....

In the United States, freedom of religion is a constitutionally protected right provided in the First Amendment's religion clauses. In 1978 Congress passed the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. Prior to that Act The Department of Interior’s 1883 Code of Indian Offenses—de facto laws that applied only to American Indians—punished Indian dances and feasts by imprisonment or withholding food (treaty rations) for up to 30 days. Any medicine man convicted of encouraging others to follow traditional practices was to be confined in the agency prison for not less than 10 days or until he could provide evidence that he had abandoned his beliefs. I think this is part of the reason Saswe, a.k.a. François Deloria, a powerful Yankton medicine man and chief of the "Half-Breed band'' accepted the Christian religion. Father and son both had major roles in two religions: Rev. Philip Joseph Deloria, an Episcopal priest, a.k.a. Tipi Sapa (Black Lodge), a leader of the Yankton/Nakota band of the Sioux Nation.Tipi Sapa is featured as one of the 98 Saints of the Ages at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as the first Dakota Christian minister to his own people.

This is a very good organization helping to fill the need for toys to encourage play in younger children by lending toy boxes through various libraries and affiliates. I would encourage others to support the organization as we have.

I have been a part of the governing board for this organization for over 25yrs. Used to be the individual who received the donated vehicles and privileged to witness the years of gratitude & joy as recipients received their vehicle. Some donors not only donated road worthy vehicles but also stashed food, gifts for family members and certificates for oil changes in the trunks of the cars! We have also had serial car donors who over the years have donated several cars because they believed so much in the program. Not sure who she’d more tears - the recipient or me!! Been retired from my paid position for 9 years but just can’t let go of this organization. It’s dear to my heart.

I have been a Jaycee volunteer since 2012 started out with fourth of July celebration. Then haunted house I do build, act and tear down for that. It's alot of fun working hard then seeing people appreciating what you do is really rewarding. Give time to go back in the community. And you also Learn leadership, meet new friends you become part of the Jaycee family.<br>

Holidays open the heart to many mixed emotions of the heart. Every person living in a different situation with a heart that perceives life in a different way. The Hustle and bustle of the season lending to those emotions. We often wonder if people get so busy in their own path that they overlook the breadth of whats around them. Blessing come when you least expect them. That is what this group does in the song of Christmas and the delivery of food. The food feeds the body but, the group feeds the heart and soul. God Bless you and Merry Christmas

Kids Chess Inc. is a charity that is truly changing kids lives! At a time where it seems like kids are obsessed with the latest technology, the game of chess forces interaction among kids and to think about strategy & consequences within their game. The founder of Kids Chess Inc. has taught over 50 kids in our elementary school the basic foundations, tactics and strategies of this game in a fun way that the kids love and look forward to each week. Through your donations he has provided these kids snacks, chess boards and various books the kids can have to study at home. The highlight of the year is a 5 round chess tournament, complete with trophies which he provides. For some kids, they have never received a trophy before and it was so incredible to see their faces light up and how proud they were of their accomplishment! <br><br>I have been working with the instructor at our elementary school in Sioux Falls for the last 2 years. He is also teaching at three other local elementary schools, teaching around 100 kids chess in Sioux Falls each school year. He has been asked to provide his services at other schools but lack of funding does not allow him to do that. <br><br>So many of the kids he teaches have developed a greater confidence in themselves as a person and in their playing ability. Kids Chess Inc is truly making a direct positive impact on kids lives. A donation of any size would be welcomed by this organization!

When I was in college, I got an opportunity to intern at United Way in my town. At first I had no idea what the organization was, and I hadn't done much with nonprofits in the past. My first thought was, 'Great. An unpaid internship. I need to keep looking.' But after I did my interview and met some of the employees, I thought I might as well give it a go. One of my main jobs was to interview people in the community who benefited from organizations or programs that the United Way had helped. That's how I met Chloe. Chloe was a young girl that had been born with a heart disease that made her very fragile. She was unable to participate in a lot of activities because of the fear of her getting hurt or sick. Her only athletic outlet was brought to her by a local YMCA, a partner of the United Way, that offered swimming lessons for her. Because of the swimming lessons that were made possible by a United Way partner, she was able to not only grow athletically, but through her confidence and personality. I met many deserving people like Chloe, and went on to intern at a nonprofit health center later that year. After graduation, I ended up getting a job in marketing at a for profit business in town. After working for nonprofits for almost a year and a half, I was shocked at how out of the loop I was. I enjoyed my job, but knew it wasn't my long term goals. I then saw an add listed for United Way in a close city and saw it as a sign. I finally realized that what I was missing in my job was the ability to give back to people and my community. I currently work for Sioux Empire United Way and am looking to volunteer more now that I am in a new city. Now more than ever, I see the needs of individuals that live so close to me. Needs that I do not, and hopefully never will have unmet. I support Sioux Empire United Way because they focus on Income, Education and Health and restore dollars to other nonprofits who may otherwise go unnoticed.

South Dakota Peace & Justice has been around for 30+ years and they work on issues ranging<br>from reconciliation to ecology to non-violence and more. They partner with other groups in the state such as Pax Christi, Dakota Rural Action, Center for Equality, ACLU and others to create a better state for us all!

Junior League has made a difference for so many families in Sioux Falls!

This is a scam non profit organization, IRS has no filing information and has rescinded the non profit status.

The South Dakota State Poetry Society literally saved my life. As a transplanted New Yorker in the Black Hills I was adrift without a forum in which to express my ideas or a conduit for my work. Our group changed all that for me. South Dakota is a large state with cantankerous weather and I am a real homebody. Through the state poets I can get support and feedback without leaving my home and can look forward to facetime with others in my group whenever I can make it to live events. Don't wait. If you feel that a large part of your life is missing and it just might be filled by doing a bit of writing and networking, check us out!

At age 3, our son Mark was diagnosed with autism and nonverbal. His therapists said we should have him learn sign language so we could communicate better with him. Mark didn't care for signing and continued with gestures and pointing. At age 5, Horsepower came into his life and after his first lesson, Mark talked - actually talked about when he would come back and ride Star. That event is one of the most my joyous moments in my life. Mark is now 23 and has been in the program for 18 years. Today, Mark talks about his Fred (the horse he rides at Horsepower) on a daily basis and I'm always happy to listen to him talk about his Fred.

In the Kulu district of Liberia, farmer Moses Kingston is seeing big changes in his harvest – and his life – after his farmers’ cooperative received from Global Aid Direct a grant for education and instruction on new farming methods. <br> <br>“I used to harvest less than 100 kilos of maize from my garden. Today, I harvest 250 kilos,” says the 58-year-old father of eight. Moses owns a one-acre plantain plantation, a large rice farm, beans, stretches of cassava farms and several goats. “Thank you Global Aid Direct”. <br>

Feeding South Dakota is an awesome organization. They are well ran. They have fantastic people working there who care passionately about the mission. When you call with a question they are great at answering. When they make deliveries they are prompt and professional. The leadership in the organization is top notch and it is evident throughout the chain of command. <br> <br>Great people working hard to serve a great mission of helping people. I have worked with them as a partner and client for years. All impressions are great. Great food. Prompt service. Friendly staff. <br> <br>

Services and education was great! I would be lost as a parent without the resources they provided! Rosa Herman was amazing at helping me get the information I needed and not giving up if something didn't fit my needs. <br> <br>Thank you so much <br> <br>A++++++!