United Way Of Black Hills

What United Way Of Black Hills does

United Way of the Black Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1944 and headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, that coordinates community fundraising, grantmaking, and volunteer programs across the Black Hills region of Western South Dakota. The organization serves as a regional convener linking individual donors, corporate sponsors, and volunteers with more than 100 partner nonprofit agencies, schools, and government agencies. Service areas span Rapid City, Sturgis, Northern Hills (Spearfish, Deadwood, Lead, Belle Fourche), and Southern Hills (Hot Springs, Custer), governed by four Community Cabinets. The organization operates with a small staff of approximately 9 people under Executive Director John Cass.

The programmatic portfolio is organized around three focus areas: education, health, and financial stability. Education programs include Black Hills Reads (a literacy initiative reaching more than 24,000 early learners under nine), Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (which has distributed over 60,000 books to 5,000+ children), EveryDay Strong (student mental health), and broader Early Education Programs. Grantmaking vehicles include Community Impact Grants (typically $5,000 to $75,000), Black Hills Reads Innovation Grants, and Early Learner Communities Grants (a two-phase Building Grant up to $5,000 and Sustaining Grant up to $10,000). Volunteer mobilization includes the annual Month of Caring event with nearly 1,000 participants and year-round coordination through the 2-1-1 Helpline Center.

Revenue is generated entirely through voluntary contributions across four primary streams: community giving campaigns (which raised $1,247,863 in 2025 from 260 businesses and 301 individuals), workplace giving campaigns facilitated through employer partnerships, planned giving and estate gifts enabled by a partnership with FreeWill, and corporate sponsorships. Funds are redistributed as grants to partner agencies and through direct program operations. Operational technology is provided through third-party platforms including Blackbaud (donation processing), e-Cimpact (grant application management), and FreeWill (online will creation); there is no proprietary technology product. The organization holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and operates without commercial pricing since services are not sold; all donations are voluntary with 100% directed to local Black Hills programs.

Name

United Way Of Black Hills

Legal name

United Way of the Black Hills

Website

https://unitedwayblackhills.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

United Way of the Black Hills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, that raises charitable donations and distributes grants to more than 100 partner agencies addressing education, health, and financial stability across the Black Hills region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Civic and Social Organizations (8134), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

K–12 Support & School Improvement Nonprofits (BPAGADAB)

Keywords

• Community fundraising campaigns
• Nonprofit grant programs
• Early childhood literacy
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Volunteer coordination services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rapid City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Community Giving Campaign Donations: Individual and corporate donations raised through annual community giving campaigns. For 2025, raised $1,247,863 from 260 businesses and 301 individuals.
2. Workplace Giving Campaigns: Corporate workplace campaigns where employers facilitate employee giving through payroll deductions and workplace fundraising events.
3. Planned Giving and Estate Gifts: Legacy giving programs including bequests, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, beneficiary designations, and stock donations. Partnerships with FreeWill for free will creation.
4. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsorships supporting events like Month of Caring and organizational programs through year-round sponsorship tiers.
5. Grant Distribution: Grants distributed to partner nonprofits, schools, and government agencies. Building grant up to $5,000, Sustaining grant up to $10,000 for Early Learner Communities. Community Impact Grants typically between $5,000 and $75,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

United Way of the Black Hills is a community-led nonprofit organization that raises charitable funds through workplace giving campaigns, individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and planned giving, then distributes the proceeds as grants to over 100 partner nonprofits, schools, and government agencies operating programs in education, health, and financial stability across the Black Hills region of South Dakota. The organization also operates its own direct programs including Black Hills Reads, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, EveryDay Strong, Early Education Programs, Month of Caring, and Early Learner Communities Grants.

Product overview

United Way of the Black Hills is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of community impact programs organized around three focus areas: education (Early Education Programs, Black Hills Reads, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, EveryDay Strong), financial stability, and health. The organization operates grant programs including Community Impact Grants, Black Hills Reads Innovation Grants, and Early Learner Communities Grants. It also provides volunteer programs (Month of Caring, 2-1-1 Helpline Center), fundraising programs (Workplace Campaign, Planned Giving, Leadership Giving, Community Giving Campaign), and partnership opportunities through its Sponsorship Program. The core value proposition is uniting donors, volunteers, and community partners to address local needs through measurable, long-term solutions, with over $1.2 million invested annually in programs and nonprofit organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Black Hills Reads: Education initiative of United Way of the Black Hills that helps ensure children are proficient readers by the end of third grade, promoting early learning and literacy opportunities for more than 24,000 early learners under nine and their families throughout the Black Hills and Western SD.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Products and services

• Black Hills Reads Education initiative helping ensure children are proficient readers by the end of third grade, promoting early learning and literacy opportunities for over 24,000 early learners under nine and their families throughout the Black Hills and Western SD.
• Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Program that distributes free books to children, managing distribution of over 60,000 books to 5,000+ children in the Black Hills region.
• Early Education Programs Comprehensive early childhood education initiatives including early learning programs and support services for young children and their families in the Black Hills region.
• EveryDay Strong Program focused on supporting the emotional and mental well-being of students, providing resources and support for youth in the Black Hills community.
• Community Impact Grants Annual grant program investing dollars raised through fundraising campaigns to help the community. Focus areas include education, mental health, substance abuse, abuse and neglect, housing, food security, and economic opportunities. Community Impact Grants typically range between $5,000 and $75,000.
• Black Hills Reads Innovation Grants Innovation grants accepting applications from nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies for innovative projects promoting equitable access to books and early literacy resources across the Black Hills.
• Early Learner Communities Grants Two-phase grant program for communities undergoing the Early Learner Community Process. Building Grant offers up to $5,000; Sustaining Grant offers up to $10,000 for communities committed to early learning priorities.
• Month of Caring Annual volunteer event held in September with nearly 1,000 volunteers throughout the Black Hills. Volunteers pack meals, paint homes, perform lawn care for elderly, disabled, and veterans.
• Workplace Campaign Workplace giving campaign toolkit helping organizations run workplace giving campaigns. Includes pledge forms, campaign materials, corporate cards, and fundraising ideas for employers to facilitate employee giving through payroll deductions and workplace fundraising events.
• Planned Giving Legacy giving program allowing donors to include United Way of the Black Hills in their estate or financial plans. Includes bequests, IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions, beneficiary designations, and stock donations, with free will creation through FreeWill partnership.
• 2-1-1 Helpline Center Volunteer Connection Resource helpline and volunteer web base (Volunteer Connection) providing connections to community resources, support services, and volunteer opportunities across South Dakota.
• Sponsorship Program Year-round sponsorship program with multiple levels allowing organizations to align investment with visible, measurable community impact throughout the year, including Month of Caring and organizational programs.
• Leadership Giving Donor recognition program for corporate and individual donors with giving levels across Rapid City, Sturgis, Northern Hills, and Southern Hills regions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised $1,247,863 in 2025 campaign from 260 businesses and 301 individuals
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and support.

• Black Hills EnergycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate sponsor and supporter of United Way campaigns, with employee giving programs and corporate matching contributions. Serves as sponsor for Month of Caring and other events.
• Coeur WharfcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor with employee giving and workplace campaign participation. Active supporter of Northern Hills region initiatives.
• Monument HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor healthcare sponsor with multiple facilities (Rapid City Hospital, Custer Hospital, Sturgis Hospital, Spearfish Hospital, Lead-Deadwood Hospital) participating in campaigns across all regions.
• First Interstate BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor with multiple locations (Rapid City, Northern Hills, Southern Hills) participating in workplace giving and community investments.
• Sanford HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional healthcare sponsor supporting United Way initiatives and campaigns.
• BankWestmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBanking sponsor with community investment in Rapid City and Northern Hills regions.
• GE Appliances (a Haier company)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting United Way campaigns and community initiatives.
• ScheelsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor corporate donor with employee giving program and fundraising support.
• Dacotah BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional banking sponsor with community presence across multiple Black Hills communities.
• Common CentssupportGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal retail sponsor supporting community campaigns.
• Liberty SuperstoressupportGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional retail sponsor with employee giving participation.
• Butler MachinerysupportGTM or Marketing PartnerEquipment company sponsor supporting United Way campaigns.
• Casey Peterson LtdsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerAccounting firm sponsor with business community involvement.
• KT ConnectionssupportGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner sponsor supporting campaigns.
• Northern Hills Federal Credit UnionsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit union sponsor serving Northern Hills region.
• JustServe.orgsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer coordination partner connecting volunteers with service opportunities.
• Rapid City Rushmore Rotary ClubsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerService club partner supporting community initiatives.
• Black Hills Regional Eye InstitutesupportGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare sponsor supporting regional vision care initiatives.
• Coca-Cola Bottling Company High CountrysupportGTM or Marketing PartnerBeverage sponsor supporting events and campaigns.
• HDR Engineering, Inc.supportGTM or Marketing PartnerEngineering firm sponsor with community investment.
• Highmark Federal Credit UnionsupportGTM or Marketing PartnerCredit union sponsor supporting campaigns.
• 2-1-1 Helpline CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide resource helpline connecting individuals with community services and volunteer opportunities year-round.
• Innovative NonProfit (INP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional development partner providing free workshops to nonprofit agencies in three regions of the Black Hills. Conducts Leadership in Action and Mission in Action workshops.
• Early Learner South Dakota (ELSD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide early learning initiative under SDAEYC, developed the Early Learner Community Process to support communities in improving early learning services for families and children.
• FreeWillmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerFree online will creation tool partnership enabling donors to include United Way in estate plans at no cost.
• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or IntegrationDonation processing platform provider for online giving and donor management.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys & Girls Club of the Black Hills: Youth development nonprofit serving Black Hills communities with after-school and enrichment programming. Comparable nonprofit operating model focused on education and youth outcomes in the same region.
• YMCA of Rapid City: Community-based nonprofit serving the Black Hills with youth, education, and health programs funded through donations and corporate sponsorships. Similar nonprofit operating model and overlapping community footprint.
• Black Hills Area Community Foundation: Regional community foundation serving the same Black Hills geography with comparable grantmaking, donor-advised funds, and local philanthropic distribution activities. Directly competes for donor dollars and grant partnerships.
• Feeding South Dakota: Regional nonprofit addressing food insecurity across South Dakota with similar donor-base, corporate partnership, and grant-funded program model. Operates in overlapping geography and competes for some of the same sponsors and donors.
• United Way of Sioux Falls (Sioux Empire United Way): Another South Dakota-based United Way affiliate serving a similar mid-size regional market with the same federated fundraising, workplace giving, and community grantmaking model. Closest comparable in scale, geography, and operating approach.
• Helpline Center: South Dakota-wide community resource hub and a direct UWBH partner (2-1-1). Operates a comparable nonprofit model with corporate sponsorships and serves overlapping community information needs.
• Habitat for Humanity of the Black Hills: Black Hills affiliate of a national nonprofit addressing affordable housing. Operates as a UWBH partner agency while also running its own fundraising, volunteer, and corporate sponsorship programs in the same region.

Regional players

• South Dakota Community Foundation: Statewide community foundation operating across South Dakota with grantmaking and endowment management. Similar grantmaking infrastructure but with statewide rather than sub-regional focus.
• Cornerstone Rescue Mission: Rapid City-based nonprofit providing shelter, food, and recovery services. Operates with a comparable donation-driven nonprofit model serving some of the same vulnerable populations in the Black Hills.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization that licenses and supports the United Way brand, including United Way of the Black Hills. Comparable in mission and model but operates at national scale rather than local.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xfacebook.com/United-Way-Black-Hills-73956306599
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRQuoBkaDjx60_UeOpxpVhg
• Facebookfacebook.com/United-Way-Black-Hills-73956306599
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwayoftheblackhills
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore/tags/unitedwayoftheblackhills

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way Of Black Hills