The John T. Vucurevich Foundation began 2024 by awarding $450,000 to organizations that uphold access to education, safety, and food in our community. The following organizations received grant awards:

• • YFS Girls Inc. of Rapid City: $200,000 in two-year operating support for out-of-school programming for Rapid City girls.
  • Seventh Circuit CASA Program: $150,000 in two-year operating support for child advocate services.
  • Feeding South Dakota: $100,000 in two-year operating support for hunger relief efforts in the Black Hills.

Youth and Family Services Girls Inc. of Rapid City

$200,000 – Two-year operating support for out-of-school programming for Rapid City girls ages 6-11

About the Grant

Founded in Rapid City in 1965, YFS Girls Inc. serves girls ages 6-11 by providing fun, educational and recreational activities to girls after school and each weekday during the summer months. Their programs highlight community action, sports, health, careers, and life planning. These programs also celebrate members’ cultures and heritages and encourage the girls to develop self-reliance and life skills. YFS Girls Inc.’s center-based and age-appropriate activities are implemented in a challenging and creative environment.

This Basic Needs grant will support out-of-school programing for local girls for two years.

Seventh Circuit CASA Program

$150,000 – Two-year operating support for child advocate services in the Black Hills

About the Grant

The Seventh Circuit Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program began in 1986, making it the first CASA Program in the state of South Dakota.  In the past 30 years, they have advocated for more than 1,300 abused and neglected children. With more and more children in need of advocacy services every year, they continue to strive to find ways to recruit, train, and supervise additional volunteers to reach their goal of advocating for every child. Currently there are more than 350 children waiting for their Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer.   

This Basic Needs grant will support staffing and volunteer recruitment/retention.

Feeding South Dakota

$100,000 – Two-year operating support for hunger relief efforts in the Black Hills

About the Grant

Beginning in 1975 as a community food pantry, Feeding South Dakota has grown into a state-wide hunger relief organization. Their vision is a state where no one person’s health, well-being, or potential is hindered by the availability of nutritious food. Together, with the support of volunteers and South Dakota communities, they are impacting food insecurity rates by filling the tables of our neighbors facing hunger. Feeding South Dakota serves the state through their Mobile Distribution Program, BackPack Program, Wellness Pantries, Senior Boxes and supporting other agency partners across the state.

This Basic Needs will support the BackPack Program and mobile food distribution in the Black Hills