Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Grants

Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Summer Reading Grant Program

CONTACT: Jeff Veltkamp, Director of Development
South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF)

Pierre, S.D.-- The Stephanie Miller-Davis Library Summer Reading Grant Program is now in its fifth year of 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 to date has distributed nearly $200,000 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 would be so excited to see the impact this money is having on so many kid's lives," said Stephanie's daughter Kate Davis. "Access to books was a passion of hers and she would have loved to support the work of so many parents, teachers, librarians, and other community members in towns across South Dakota," added her daughter Anne Franz.

"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."

SDCF works to support philanthropy in South Dakota by connecting donors with causes they care about and providing expertise in managing charitable funds. SDCF administers over 1,200 funds benefiting thousands of wonderful causes every year. To learn more about charitable opportunities through SDCF, please visit SDCommunityFoundation.org or call 800.888.1842.

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 https://library.sd.gov/.

In 2024, each of the following libraries were awarded $1,500 to support their summer reading programs:

• Alcester Community Library
• Armour-Carnegie Public Library
• Bison Public Library
• Britton Public Library
• Canton Public Library
• Emil M. Larson Public Library (Clark)
• Evelyn Lang Public Library (Springfield)
• Freeman Public Library
• Grant County Public Library (Milbank)
• Gregory Public Library
• Jackson County Library (Kadoka)
• Langford Public Library
• Lennox Community Library
• M. P. Beebe Memorial Library (Ipswich)
• Parker Public Library
• Parkston Public Library
• Piedmont Valley Library
• Redfield Carnegie Library
• Tripp County Library – Grossenburg Memorial (Winner)
• Viborg Public Library
• Wage Memorial Library (Groton)
• White Lake Community Library
• Wilmot Public Library
• Woonsocket Community Library

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 1,200 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations annually. The Foundation distributed over $30 million in grants in 2023 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 2024

This is 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.

Awards: $1500; Awarded to 5000 or fewer residents for city libraries and under 7500 (LSA) for county libraries.

Library can apply and receive a grant up to three years in a row by reapplying each year. If awarded grant three years in a row the library will not be eligible for one year and then may apply again the follow grant year

Eligibility: South Dakota public libraries that are state and federally recognized and in compliance with State statues. 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 earned 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.

Terms and conditions:

1. Failure to complete all questions on the application questionnaire may jeopardize an applicant's chances.
2. The grant is for $1500; not more or less.
3. All funds must be directed toward a summer reading program or programs, children's spaces, children's books and materials.
4. All funds must be accounted for with receipts when applicable.
5. Funds cannot be spent on salaries or food.
6. All awarded funds must be spent by Aug. 31, 2024.
7. Failure to complete an evaluation form and submit by the deadline may jeopardize future opportunities to apply.
8. Self evaluation report must be submitted by Sept. 30, 2024.
9. All award decisions are made by the Miller-Davis family and are final.

Questions about this application or grant details should be directed to the Youth Services Coordinator, Amanda Raiche , phone: 1-605-773-5066 .

Deadline: Completed applications must be received no later than Feb. 1, 2024. Grant decisions will be communicated by Feb. 28, 2024.

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 $30 million in grants in 2022 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.