PIERRE — The Stavig House Museum in Sisseton recently completed a fundraising drive of more than $120,000 to establish a permanent endowment fund at the South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF) and received $20,000 in matching funds from the program. grants for SDCF non-profit savings accounts.
Endowment funds are invested over time and profits create a long-term revenue stream to support the organization.
“The newly established Stavig House Museum Foundation is a great asset to the museum and our community,” said Stavig House Museum President John Rasmussen. “Each year, funds available from the foundation will help the museum fulfill its mission of preserving local history and attracting visitors to our community.
“We would like to thank the South Dakota Community Foundation for the $20,000 Challenge Grant. The grant served as a catalyst, boosting our fundraising efforts and significantly adding to our foundation’s total funds once we reached our goal.
The historic Stavig House, built by Scandinavian craftsmen in 1916, combines Victorian-era elements with Arts and Crafts style architecture. Listed on the National Historic Register, the museum tells the authentic story of a Norwegian immigrant family through three generations, from Norwegian fishermen to settlers on the Dakota prairie to entrepreneurs on Main Street in the new town of Sisseton .
The house remained the property of the Stavig family for 80 years before becoming a museum.
“We are honored to collaborate with the Stavig House Museum to establish a sustainable funding source that will ensure the continued operation of the museum.” said Ginger Niemann, SDCF Senior Program Manager.
Donations to the existing nonprofit savings account for the Stavig House Museum are invested along with other SDCF-endowed funds. A percentage of the fund’s value is made available each year for their organization to distribute to support their nonprofit’s mission.
As the fund grows, so will the amount available to give back to the Stavig House Museum. If you would like to donate to this foundation, please visit https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/giving/support-an-existing-fund.
To learn more about funding opportunities offered by the SDCF, please visit our website: https://www.sdcommunityfoundation.org/.
SDCF is a public, nonprofit organization established in 1987. SDCF, with offices in Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, administers more than 1,200 funds benefiting hundreds of charitable organizations each year. The Foundation distributed nearly $31 million in grants in 2023, making a huge difference in communities across the state.
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