The John T. Vucurevich Foundation is pleased to announce $784,000 in grants that support economic mobility and affordable housing. The following organizations received grant awards:
- Workforce Connections: $504,000 two-year general operations grant for mentoring and crisis funding support for adult education leaners.
- Black Hills Area Community Foundation: $250,000 in matching funds to establish a Housing Trust Fund for the Box Elder Area and $30,000 in support for Memorial Park Apartments Fund to address needs of low-income seniors affected by the Memorial Park accident.
Workforce Connections
$504,000 – This two-year Economic Mobility grant supports general operating and crisis funding for low-income adults working towards a job, skill, or education.
About Workforce Connections
Workforce Connections provides navigation support, mentoring, and advocacy to individuals pursuing adult education. This program is part of the Black Hills Special Services Cooperative’s Education and Workforce Division, aimed at helping individuals work in jobs that make economic self-sufficiency possible.
Black Hills Area Community Foundation
- $250,000 in Affordable Housing matching funds to establish a Housing Trust Fund for the Box Elder Area
- $30,000 in Affordable Housing support for Memorial Park Apartments Fund to address needs of low-income seniors affected by the Memorial Park accident.
About the Strategic Housing Trust Fund for the Box Elder Area
The Strategic Housing Trust Fund model is a flexible funding tool available to communities across the Black Hills through the Black Hills Area Community Foundation. Strategic Housing Trust Funds help fill a small, yet vital funding gap for developers and purchasers who wish to construct, refurbish or retain affordable units. Local leaders establish an advisory board to guide a Strategic Housing Trust Fund. The advisory board reviews housing project applications and recommends funding for projects. Borrowers repay the Trust Fund for generations of revolving impact. This Affordable Housing grant matches funding secured by the Box Elder community to start a Strategic Housing Trust Fund.
About the Memorial Park Apartments Fund
In response to the recent tragic events at Memorial Park Apartments, where a fatal vehicle crash also caused severe damage and displacement of mostly elderly low-income residents, the Black Hills Area Community Foundation established the Memorial Park Apartment Support Fund. This Affordable Housing grant helps the displaced residents affected by the incident, providing immediate assistance for basic needs and aiding in long-term recovery efforts.
About Black Hills Area Community Foundation
Located in Rapid City, the Black Hills Area Community Foundation invests in charitable work and manages select community initiatives. They are the only Community Foundation solely focused on serving the Black Hills area spanning Butte, Meade, Lawrence, Pennington, Custer, Oglala Lakota and Fall River counties. As of 2024, the Community Foundation manages $60 million in assets and has granted more than $35 million since its establishment in 2006.
