South Dakota Nonprofit Network

SDNN December Newsletter

December 2023
In this issue:
Giving Season
Getting Ready for the 2024 Legislative Session
Tips for Communicating with Legislators
Member Spotlight: South Dakota Discovery Center
Membership Benefit Highlight: Urgency of Government Grants Reform for your Nonprofit
Upcoming Events

Giving Season
“Giving Season” can be one of the busiest times of the year for nonprofits and charitable organizations in the U.S. The season kicks off with “Giving Tuesday” and runs through December 31st. According to Network for Good, 30% of all annual nonprofit giving takes place during this time.

An analysis of IRS data from the 2020 tax year shows that for South Dakota:

Percentage of tax returns with charitable contributions: 31.5%
Charitable contributions per $1K in total AGI: $11.55
Average contribution amount for donors: $2,592
Total charitable contributions: $361,606,000
Total tax returns with charitable contributions: 139,490

For reference, here are the statistics for the entire United States:

Percentage of tax returns with charitable contributions: 32.9%
Charitable contributions per $1K in total AGI: $17.10
Average contribution amount for donors: $3,986
Total charitable contributions: $215,360,735,000
Total tax returns with charitable contributions: 54,027,439

Getting Ready for the 2024 Legislative Session
On Tuesday, Governor Kristi Noem presented her proposed budget for the State Fiscal Year that begins July 1, 2024. The proposal reflects a total of nearly $7.3 billion, which is about three percent less than the current year’s budget. The Governor is recommending an additional $93 million, or a four percent increase, for the “Big Three” expenditures in state government:

$46.5 million for schools
$20.6 million for state employees
$26.0 million for healthcare providers

Legislators will discuss this proposal, as well as their own funding ideas, during the upcoming legislative session, which starts on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, and runs through March 7.
During the 38-day session, there will undoubtedly be a variety of issues that will potentially affect SDNN members. So how can you keep up to date with what is happening in Pierre? And how can you be part of the discussions that will affect your organization?

The Legislative Research Council website https://sdlegislature.gov is a good place to start. Here you can find all bills that have been introduced and follow their journey through the legislative process. You can find committee agendas and minutes, listen to committee hearings and floor debate, read amendments, and find how legislators voted on each issue.

You are also encouraged to come to Pierre on January 23 for SDNN Day at the Capitol. We will be providing a light breakfast from 7:30 – 10:00 a.m. in the House Speaker and Senate President’s lobbies. This would be a great opportunity for you to visit with legislators about your nonprofit.

At any time, if you have a question or concern about a bill or legislative issue, please feel free to reach out to the SDNN Advocacy Chair and Registered Lobbyist, Julie Johnson, at johnson2@abe.midco.net.

Tips for Communicating with Legislators
Wondering how to best communicate with a state legislator? Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:

Every legislator has an email address with the Legislative Research Council (LRC). You can find those addresses through the LRC website, or follow the convention Firstname.Lastname@sdlegislature.gov
Identify the subject right away. Refer to the bill number, if you know what it is.
Be concise. Indicate whether you support or oppose a bill or amendment and then briefly explain why. Highlight how it would affect those served by your nonprofit.
Offer a solution, if you have one.
Include your contact information, to enable a legislator to get back to you if there are questions.
Remember to thank the legislator.
And finally, a huge DON’T. Never send a “copy and paste” email blast. These are ineffective and, in some cases, are counterproductive. A short personal message is far more effective.

The same basic rules apply if you are at a local crackerbarrel or if you come to Pierre to visit in person with legislators. Identify yourself, identify the topic, and be brief. You can also call the Capitol during the Legislative Session and leave a message for a legislator. The Senate phone number is 605.773.3821. The House of Representatives number is 605.773.3851.

Member Spotlight: South Dakota Discovery Center
The South Dakota Discovery Center in Pierre is dedicated to science learning and fun, for all ages. Located in the historic Pierre Power Plant built in 1933, the Discovery Center was founded in 1989 to encourage curiosity and scientific exploration.

The hands-on science center features more than 60 exhibits, including an indoor tree house. A variety of STEAM summer camps are offered for PreK through Senior High. Teen Science Café programs are designed for middle and high school students to engage with experts about career pathways. For adults, the “Discovery on Tap” program is a once-a-month science happy hour. On the second Saturday of every month, the “Starry Saturdays” program is an opportunity to learn about something astral – such as Greek or Lakota constellations, the moon, deep space objects, and more.

SDNN Board Member and Discovery Center Executive Director Dr. Rhea Waldman notes an important reason to belong to the Nonprofit Network: “We just took the first step of our Phase I Expansion of the SD Discovery Center. AGC accepted our offer to purchase the AGC building on Capitol Ave, which will allow us to scale up our programs through desperately needed office and classroom space. This expansion in our 35th anniversary year was only accomplished because of the partnerships we have built. SDNN is a great way to connect and build those partnerships for any nonprofit in SD.”

To learn more about the Discovery Center, please check out their website at https://www.sd-discovery.org

Member Benefit Highlight: Urgency of Government Grants Reform for your Nonprofit
On November 20, hundreds of charitable nonprofit leaders participated in a nationwide webinar, The Urgency of Government Grants Reform for Your Nonprofit. Presenters explained the consequences of bad grantmaking policies, such as nonprofit workforce shortages and organizations getting shut out of grants. They also laid out legislative and regulatory solutions that individuals can help influence to ensure reduced burdens, greater access to funding, and better outcomes.

To watch the Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L1SOKDJqKY&t=3s&ab_channel=NationalCouncilofNonprofits

Upcoming Events:
SDNN Marketing & Communications roundtable – December 20 via Zoom ½ 12:00 PM (Central Time)
SDNN Nonprofit Leadership roundtable – December 28 via Zoom ½ 12:00 PM (Central Time)
SDNN Day at the Capitol – January 23 in Pierre

Mission: Connect, support, and elevate nonprofits in South Dakota through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
What We Do: The South Dakota Nonprofit Network works to create a sustainable framework of support for nonprofits in South Dakota. SDNN offers training in organizational leadership and change, best practice sharing, and how to advocate for nonprofits. SDNN also supports initiatives in areas of development and innovation through professional development, advocacy, and awards.