Oct. 31, 2023

Giving Back recognizes businesses and organizations that are helping our communities. Here’s a look at who gave back for October.

Buntrock Scholars Program at Augustana University

Augustana University has received a $13.8 million gift to help support students who are active and engaged members of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations throughout the Midwest. Thanks to the gift from Rosemarie and Dean Buntrock, the university has established the Buntrock Scholars Program.

“Providing young people in the church with access to an education rooted in faith and strong values is an investment in their future, as well as that of their families, congregations and all communities in which they live and serve. We welcome this partnership with Augustana University, parents and ELCA synods, bishops and pastors as we work together to support and develop these young leaders,” said Dean Buntrock, who grew up in Columbia in northeast South Dakota and is the founder and former CEO of Waste Management Inc.

Over the next decade, the Buntrock Scholars Program will benefit a minimum of 30 students beginning in fall 2024 and as many as 120 students by fall 2028. The scholarship will be a competitive program and cover half the net price of a selected student’s tuition at Augustana up to $12,000, and it will be renewable for up to an additional three years to help students cover the cost of a four-year degree.

The Event Company

Since its inception 10 years ago, The Event Company has donated $1,125,200 of services to its clients. The company, which offers event fundraising consultation, has helped clients raise more than $11.5 million in the past decade. It has planned more than 450 events in 22 states.

First Interstate Bank

First Interstate Bank celebrated its sixth annual Volunteer Day, closing all branches across its 14-state footprint to enable the bank’s 3,900 employees to spend the remainder of their workday volunteering for a local nonprofit. The philanthropic focus for Volunteer Day was anchored in combating poverty, hunger and homelessness; employees, however, were encouraged to select service projects that catered to the specific needs of their local communities. In the Sioux Falls area, volunteers helped at The Banquet, Compassion in Action, Feeding South Dakota, The Foster Network, Furniture Mission, Great Plains Zoo, Helping Hand Assisted Living, Lunch Is Served, McCrossan Boys Ranch, Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota, St. Francis House and Veterans Community Project.

Nielson Construction

The team at Nielson Construction celebrated its 20th anniversary of building homes in the Sioux Falls area by giving back to the community. The staff helped with the construction of two homes for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls. The business also has pledged $20,000 to help a local family become homeowners.

Sioux Empire Smiles

Sioux Empire Smiles provided free dental care to at-risk youth at a one-day clinic taking place at Children’s Dental Center. The dentists served 127 children, and 28 of them will need follow-up care either in a surgical setting or in a local dental office. Sioux Empire Smiles is a program of the Southeastern District Dental Society with support from the South Dakota Dental Association. Support and funding are made available through Sioux Empire United Way, Professional Insurors, South Dakota Dental Foundation, Delta Dental of South Dakota Foundation, Children’s Dental Center and Patterson Dental. 

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo will provide $11 million in grants to 28 organizations across six states — including $4.8 million to six Native-led organizations in South Dakota — as part of its Invest Native program. Invest Native is a $20 million philanthropic initiative by Wells Fargo to strengthen housing access and affordability, small-business growth and sustainability in Native communities. The six South Dakota organizations are Akiptan Inc., Cheyenne River Housing Authority, Four Bands Community Fund, Lakota Funds for the South Dakota Native Homeownership Coalition, Mountain | Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition and Red Cloud Renewable.

Has your organization given back to the community? Or do you know an individual who proves one person can make a difference? Email us at [email protected].