March 24, 2022

Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Summer Reading Grant Program

Pierre, S.D. - The Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Summer Reading Grant Program has continued its fourth year supporting summer reading programs in small rural communities in partnership with the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) and the South Dakota State Library (SDSL). The program has now distributed over $100,000 to libraries in rural communities across South Dakota.

Stephanie loved books. She started her legacy by donating children's books and bookcases to the school library in her hometown of Murdo, SD. She wanted to provide the children in the community the books she longed to read as a child growing up on the South Dakota prairie.

"My mother's legacy will go on through this exciting grant program," said Stephanie's daughter, Anne Franz. "If my mom was here today, I think she would be proud that we are continuing to support the heroic work of parents, teachers, librarians and other community members to provide every child the chance to read."

"The South Dakota Community Foundation is proud to partner with the Stephanie Miller-Davis family as they perpetuate their mother's passion and investment in early childhood literacy across South Dakota," said Jeff Veltkamp, SDCF Director of Development. "I think Stephanie would be very proud to see her daughters continuing her investment in children."

The SDCF administers over 1,100 funds benefiting thousands of wonderful causes every year. To learn more about charitable opportunities through the SDCF, please visit sdcommunityfoundation.org or call 1-605-224-1025 .

The South Dakota State Library (SDSL) is a division of the South Dakota Department of Education. The State Library supports local libraries and works to build capacity within the state's public and school libraries, which successfully reached the goal of 100,000 South Dakota children participating in summer reading programs in 2021. The State Library encourages families to visit their local library, get involved in events and activities and keep growing readers. To learn more, please visit library.sd.gov.

In 2022, each of the following libraries were awarded $1,000 to support their summer reading programs:

  • Alcester Public Library
  • Avon Public Library
  • Burke Public Library
  • Clear Lake City Library
  • Doland Community Library
  • Freeman Public Library
  • Grant County Public Library
  • Gregory Public Library
  • Hand County Library
  • Lake Andes Carnegie Library
  • Langford Public Library
  • Lennox Community Library
  • Newell Public Library
  • Presho Public Library
  • Redfield Carnegie Library
  • Tripp Public Library
  • Viborg Public Library
  • Wage Memorial Library
  • White Lake Community Library

See SDCF NEWS RELEASE

About the SDCF
SDCF is a public non-profit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen administers over 1,100 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed nearly $18 million in grants in 2021 which made a tremendous difference in communities statewide. This would not have been possible without the generosity of our donors. If you have a specific cause you would like to support or would prefer to give for the general good of our state, please visit sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving to learn more or call 1-800-888-1842.

Stephanie Miller-Davis Grant Year 2022

What: A grant program to promote early childhood literacy in the rural South Dakota communities. Funding is made possible from the Stephanie Miller-Davis Charitable Fund, a private donor advised fund from a SD family, in collaboration with the SD State Library and the South Dakota Community Foundation. Grant funds are encouraged to be used to broaden programming during this time of social distancing to include curbside, outdoor and virtual programming.

Awards: $1000; Library can apply and receive a grant up to three years in a row by reapplying each year.

Eligibility: South Dakota public libraries that are state and federally recognized and in compliance with State statues with LSA population (Legal Service Area) of 5000 or fewer residents for city libraries and under 7500 (LSA) for county libraries. Any South Dakota tribal/public library on any South Dakota reservation regardless of size may apply. South Dakota public school libraries may partner with an eligible public library closest to them and apply jointly. An official 501c3 "Friends of the Library" may apply on behalf of a public library.

Not required, but preference will be given to:

  1. libraries who have sought out or are currently seeking SD State Library voluntary accreditation; and
  2. libraries that send local librarians or trustees to training programs such as Jump Start or participate in online webinars.

Applications should be submitted online through your sponsoring public library's annual report portal at sd.countingopinions.com . Sign in using your library's annual report account credentials. Select the Stephanie Miller-Davis Grant from the Collection menu.

  • Open Registration: Tuesday, December 1, 2021
  • Close Registration: Monday, February 1, 2022
  • Grant Decisions communicated by: Monday, February 28, 2022

Terms and Conditions of Acceptance

  1. No more than 25 grants will be awarded.
  2. Failure to complete all questions on the application form may jeopardize an applicants' chances.
  3. The grant is for $1000; not more or less.
  4. All funds must be directed toward a summer reading program or programs, children's spaces, children's books and materials.
  5. All funds must be accounted for with receipts when applicable.
  6. Funds cannot be spent on salaries or food.
  7. All awarded funds must be spent by August 31, 2022.
  8. Failure to complete an evaluation form and submit by the deadline may jeopardize future opportunities to apply.
  9. Self-Evaluation must be submitted by September 30, 2022.
  10. All award decisions are made by the Miller-Davis family and are final.

Questions? Contact:

Youth Services Coordinator

Amanda Raiche

1-605-773-3131 (Option 5, 1)
1-605-773-5066
email