The Youth Philanthropy Grant is a funding opportunity offered through a partnership between the Black Hills Area Community Foundation (BHACF) and the Rapid City Youth City Council. This grant is specifically designed to support programs that benefit youth in Rapid City, South Dakota. The Youth Philanthropy Grant Committee, which is guided by the Youth City Council, is responsible for reviewing applications and selecting recipients. The funding prioritizes programs that focus on youth mental wellness, although other youth-centered initiatives are also eligible for consideration.

Eligible applicants for this grant must be an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) public charity, a school, a government entity, or a religious organization. Additionally, the programs or projects seeking funding must directly serve youth in Rapid City, South Dakota. Programs that address youth mental health and wellness receive priority in the selection process. Both new and ongoing programs are eligible for funding, as well as capacity-building efforts related to serving youth.

Certain types of projects are explicitly ineligible for funding under this program. These include religious or political activities, fundraisers, benefits, debt retirement, and organizations focused primarily on influencing legislation. Additionally, grants will not be awarded for capital campaigns, general operational expenses such as staffing and overhead, or for expenses incurred prior to receiving the grant award notification. Any funded program must also adhere to nondiscrimination policies, ensuring no exclusion based on race, gender, gender expression, age, disability, religion, ethnic or national origin, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Applications for the Youth Philanthropy Grant open annually on February 1 and close on March 10. All applications are reviewed by the Youth Philanthropy Grant Committee, with funding decisions communicated to applicants within a reasonable period after the deadline. Each grant award covers a one-year period, and additional requests for funding within that year will not be accepted. The maximum award amount for this grant cycle is $2,500.

The application process requires organizations to create an account in the Black Hills Area Community Foundation’s grant application portal. Returning applicants will log in using their existing credentials. For assistance with the portal, organizations can contact Carrie Robley at carrie@bhacf.org. The foundation encourages grant recipients to publicly recognize Youth Philanthropy’s support in any media coverage, as such publicity helps to attract future donors and support for the program.