History and Mission

The Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota was incorporated in 1987 for the purpose of advancing the outreach of the Church in eastern South Dakota. By supporting individual parishes, Catholic institutions and Diocesan ministries, the Catholic Foundation is able to help the Church better serve the needs of its parishioners. The Catholic Foundation is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that is governed by an independent board of directors.

The Catholic Foundation manages over 400 accounts valued at $50 million that serve the 120,000 Catholics living in the Diocese of Sioux Falls. Most of the funds are “restricted” endowments, with distributions designated by donors to specific ministries or organizations, or agency accounts that are “owned” by individual parishes, schools or other charities.

The Catholic Foundation’s endowments support parishes and individuals across the Diocese by providing ongoing funding for religious education, priest retirement, seminarian education, cemeteries, faith formation, counseling services and diocesan and community service programs.