[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 20]
[Senate]
[Pages 28744-28745]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          SOUTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION'S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to a key institution in my State, the South 
Dakota Community Foundation, SDCF, which will celebrate its 20th 
anniversary on November 11, 2007. This statewide organization is a 
perfect example of how private funds are raised in communities to 
ensure future sustainability. The SDCF is a model for those who believe 
there is no better way to improve themselves and our great State than 
through working together to accomplish great things.
  The SDCF was started two decades ago by a group of leaders with a 
vision

[[Page 28745]]

for South Dakota. Their vision included capitalizing on the 
philanthropic nature of South Dakotans to help rural communities 
redevelop and serve the needs of their citizens. Strong leadership over 
20 years has resulted in thousands of investors and partners that have 
assisted local communities and nonprofit organizations to achieve new 
levels of success. The original group of investors was especially 
critical, as they embraced a concept that has now exceeded the 
expectations of many. Over 70 communities and hundreds of nonprofit 
organizations across South Dakota now have direct partnerships with the 
SDCF.
  Twenty years ago, under the direct leadership of our late Governor 
George S. Mickelson, the SDCF was created. I wish that Governor 
Mickelson were alive today to witness the lasting legacy his 
initiatives have given to our State. The SDCF continues to meet the 
visionary goals of Governor Mickelson, and remains committed to taking 
the organization to levels unanticipated 20 years ago. Governor 
Mickelson's widow, Linda Mickelson Graham, served in a leadership role 
on the SDCF board of directors for nine years, and their oldest son, 
Mark Mickelson, is set to become chairman of the board in 2009. 
Governor Mickelson's dream is alive and well within the SDCF and across 
South Dakota.
  The original funding for the SDCF came from generous gifts from the 
McKnight Foundation and the 3M Foundation. On their way to raising the 
first $10 million, the 3M Foundation and the State of South Dakota 
contributed $2 million each, and the McKnight Foundation added $3 
million as a challenge grant. Using this seed money as an incentive, 
Governor Mickelson and then-SDCF Executive Director Bernie Christenson 
raised an additional $3 million within 1 year to fully fund the first 
phase of the SDCF.
  Today, the SDCF has grown to over $70 million in total assets. Over 
360 funds have been established by communities, families, nonprofit 
organizations, and businesses to benefit South Dakota in perpetuity. 
These funds provide support for nonprofit causes benefiting children, 
senior citizens, and individuals with special needs. South Dakotans 
from rural areas, Indian reservations, and our largest cities are 
reaping the benefits of this visionary plan.
  Leadership has been a key component to the success of the SDCF. The 
original leadership to get the SDCF started, the continued leadership 
of the board members, and dedicated staff have all played and integral 
role. Current Chairman of the Board John E. Johnson, President Bob 
Sutton, and the current board leadership have set goals for the 
continued growth of the organization. This growth would not be possible 
without committed staff members, and two of them--Stephanie Judson and 
Ginger Niemann--have 20 years of combined service to the SDCF. The 
relationships they have built with donors and partners of the SDCF over 
the years are invaluable, and they deserve credit for a job very well 
done.
  The future for the SDCF is bright. Over the next 5 years, the 
organization will grow to over $100 million in permanently endowed 
assets. This will result in $5 million annually being distributed to 
nonprofit and charitable causes in South Dakota. This commitment to 
human service, economic development, and cultural and educational 
organizations in South Dakota will leave a lasting legacy.
  The success of the SDCF has come from many areas, including unmatched 
public/private partnerships, strong nonprofit organizations, local 
community leaders, generous contributors, and prudent fiscal 
management. On the local level, a new generation of leaders has been 
developed, with many communities finding the future resting in the 
hands of these individuals. Through the establishment of permanent 
endowment funds, these local leaders are able to envision what their 
communities will look like decades from now. This is a major shift away 
from the mentality that small, rural communities had little or no 
future.
  Today, I extend my hearty congratulations to the SDCF as the 
organization celebrates 20 years of ``Success Through Community 
Caring'' in South Dakota. As the work of the SDCF continues, I look 
forward to celebrating another 20 years of success in 2027.

                          ____________________