Eligibility
Applicants must be an IRS-approved tax-exempt nonprofit under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) as described in IRC 501(c)(3) or a church or a tax-exempt school or other government entity.

BHACF’s geographic focus in the Black Hills area are the counties of Butte, Lawrence, Meade, Pennington, Custer, and Fall River and the adjacent counties of Harding, Perkins, Haakon, Ziebach, Jackson, and Shannon.

Grant review criteria
In reviewing applications, the Foundation will consider the following criteria:

• The relevance of the proposed project to the Foundation’s mission and focus areas.
• The extent to which the proposal addresses a community need, demonstrates broad-based community support, and provides benefits to the community-at-large.
• Extent to which the proposal maximizes community resources through cooperation and collaboration with other organizations in the community and the elimination of redundant services, programs or projects.
• The capacity of the applicant’s organization and the staff to achieve the desired result.
• The sustainability of the proposed project without additional long-tem financial commitments from the Foundation.
• The Foundation has a special interest in funding innovative programs that address community needs as well as facilities and other physical improvements that will have a lasting positive impact on the community’s image and quality of life.
• The Foundation will be considering grant applications covering a wide range of community needs with a focus on community development, culture and beautification, economic development, education and human and social need. Every effort will be made to maintain a reasonable balance in awarding grants to the various areas of need.
• In addition to responding to proposals, the Foundation may assume a proactive initiating role in addressing a community need when an existing mechanism or grantee organization is not available or suitable.
• The Foundation will consider support for start-up operating expenses directly associated with a new program or project that is consistent with our focus areas.
• The Foundation is especially interested in leveraging its grants by partnering with other organizations, governmental entities and funders.
• The Foundation will remain flexible enough to respond to unique challenges, ideas and projects that lie beyond its established focus areas yet would fulfill our mission to improve lives and strengthen communities.
• Grant recipients will be required to execute and return a grant award agreement within thirty days from the date they are notified of their grant award. The signed agreement must be returned prior to receiving the grant funds. Recipients also will be required to submit periodic reports during and following the grant period as stipulated by the approved grant.

Grants are not awarded for any of the following uses.

• No grant application will be approved that is inconsistent with the charitable tax-exempt status of the Foundation.
• Participating in or intervening in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), or influencing the outcome of any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public offices (within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the IRC) or any voter registration drive (within the meaning of section 4945(d)(2) of the IRC).
• Carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation (within the meaning of section 4945(d)(I) of the IRC).
• The Foundation will not fund operating deficits or provide long term operating support.
• Undertaking any activity for any non-charitable purpose or to the extent that use of grant funds would constitute a “taxable expenditure” (within the meaning of section 4945(d) of the IRC) or in any other manner which would jeopardize or cause the Foundation to lose its status as an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC.
• Discriminating against any individual or group based on race, gender, gender expression, age, disability, religious beliefs, ethnic or national origin, or otherwise legally impermissible criteria. Supporting private foundations as described in IRC 509(c).Funding projects outside of our designated geographic area.Providing support for benefit and fundraising events, such as galas or golf tournaments.