Nov. 30, 2021

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation.

From Levitt at the Falls and a downtown dog park to the new Sioux Falls Parks Foundation and more, philanthropist and civic volunteer Jennifer Kirby is well known for leading projects designed to build community within our community.  We caught up with her to learn more about why she believes philanthropy is key to building a thriving community and how giving with intention can help impact positive change.

Why do you believe philanthropy is key to building a thriving community?

Sioux Falls has an incredible and unique history of citizen leadership and community spirit. This includes philanthropy. We all do what we can to make our community better. With philanthropy, you get the benefit of individuals looking for ways to make Sioux Falls better, so you get the horsepower of thousands of people focused on improving life here for everyone. Combine this with our strong government and business community, and we have a winning combination.

We often talk about how, at its core, philanthropy is about people helping people. What inspires your philanthropic interests – your service/volunteer work and the projects/organizations you support through financial gifts? 

My purpose in life is to help others and make our community better. The best way I can do that is through my volunteer activities/leadership roles, as well as the giving my husband and I are blessed to be in a position to do.

For our charitable giving, my husband and I have created a mission statement that guides our decisions, and, to that end, we’ve been overwhelmed by the joy that comes from supporting this community we love so much.

Most recently, having the opportunity to support the Avera Home for Hope campaign and to witness the groundbreaking for Kirby Place, an effort to expand and renovate lodging for patients and families on the hospital’s main campus, has been especially meaningful for both of us.

I focus my individual efforts where I can make an impact on the biggest number of people possible. This may sound too simple, but I choose my volunteer and leadership roles by what sounds fun. I may have a weird idea of fun! But I love building a team and tackling a new project from the very beginning. There’s never a clear-cut road map, but we get to put one foot in front of the other and gradually build something. Not everything I’m involved with succeeds, but I try to learn from the failures. It also makes the efforts that do succeed that much more precious.

What projects have brought you the most joy?

Leading the effort to bring Levitt at the Falls to fruition has brought me a tremendous amount of joy. My involvement began in 2012 and probably because of the great deal of work invested, my tie to the project is strong. When I’m on the lawn at a concert and see the crowds of people smiling, relaxing and enjoying the music, I feel grateful that all of our efforts — and it was a huge team effort — led to something so incredible.

It was also an incredible honor to have co-chaired Avera’s Home for Hope campaign, and today, I’m excited to serve with Mike Huether as co-chair of Avera’s Behavioral Health campaign, Light the Way.

Can you talk about your love for Sioux Falls, and why you’re inspired to make it a better place?

I grew up in Sioux Falls and probably took it for granted, like kids do. But after living in California for most of my 30s, when we returned home, I saw Sioux Falls in a completely different light. I noticed and appreciated the strong sense of community that we have and how we look out for each other. When I lived in California, I didn’t notice this same deep-seated sense of togetherness.

When we moved back in 2011, I wanted to find ways to get involved to make Sioux Falls a better place. I want kids growing up here today to have the same advantages that I had, especially in the parks arena.

In my husband’s case, he’s a fourth-generation resident and is enjoying watching the sixth generation grow up in town. Those are very deep roots in the community.

You’ve worked a lot with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. How does that partnership support your philanthropic pursuits?

I love working with the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation. It’s a professional organization that’s energetic, optimistic and realistic. The team is first-rate and knows philanthropy and its varied nuances, and understands the needs and opportunities that exist throughout our community.

You’re the chair of the advisory board for the new Sioux Falls Parks Foundation. Can you share the vision for this exciting new organization, and can you talk about why now is the right time for a parks foundation?

The Sioux Falls Parks Foundation seeks to connect philanthropists with projects that align with the vision of the city’s parks system. Thanks to the Community Foundation, we were able to get off the ground much faster than we would have on our own.

We think it’s a perfect time to launch this effort because of the recent gifts to the parks system that created the Kirby Dog Park and the future Jacobson Plaza. These transformative gifts have reminded us how families can make a positive impact on Sioux Falls through the great outdoors.

After the past 18 months, I think we all have realized how important the parks are to our quality of life. When we couldn’t do much else, we could always go to a park or use the bike trails.

Can you reflect on public/private partnerships and why they work?

I believe that if all of us do what we can, big or small, then our community will hum along.  This includes public/private partnerships. The city invests in a project and is joined by private support. This enables the city to know that this project is wanted and needed. And the private support enables public support to go even further.

More and more, women are stepping forward as leaders in philanthropy. Can you share your thoughts on the important role women play in philanthropy?

I’m glad that more and more women are taking leadership roles in philanthropy.

Sioux Falls has a long history of women making a difference through philanthropy. A few who come to mind for me include Sue Brown, who led the Community Foundation during its transformative years, and then later Candy Hanson, who took it to the next level. Sylvia Henkin was involved in countless worthy efforts. Thanks to these women — and countless others — Sioux Falls is a benevolent and thriving community.

What’s next for you?

The next few years I’ll be focused on leading the Sioux Falls Parks Foundation, as well as my other board work. I have a tendency to spread myself too thin, so I’m trying to stay focused and not overextend myself.

On a personal note, I’ve returned to competitive swimming, something I did for many years back in the day. I’m enjoying getting stronger and the tremendous sense of well-being it gives me. I’ve also been taking Spanish lessons for the last couple of years and will continue doing that. I love to practice it any chance I get, whether I know the person or not.

Interested in learning more about how to maximize your giving for the greatest community impact? Contact the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation today at 605-336-7055, or visit sfacf.org to learn more.