DAR announces annual grant program

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SIOUX FALLS – The Mary Chilton Daughters of the American Revolution Foundation has announced that its Grants Program for 2021 will provide a total of $170,000 to support initiatives that promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism across South Dakota.

A new grant has been created to help the foundation advance the causes of DAR’s Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR in Sioux Falls and to help fulfill the wishes of organization benefactor and founding member Dorothy Day Davenport.

The new, $50,000 Dorothy Day Davenport Grant will be presented annually to a Sioux Falls nonprofit or civic group to substantially aid or directly accomplish a mission-based, community partnership project.“

In 1915, Dorothy Day Davenport helped establish the Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR. NSDAR is the acronym for the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Dorothy’s father, Charles Day, was the editor and a major owner of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, where Dorothy served as a member of the board of directors and as president. Her bequest to the chapter made possible the creation of the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation and its grant program in 1987. Mary Chilton, the woman the local Chapter and Foundation take their name from, arrived in the future United States of America with her parents in 1620 as a 13-year-old passenger aboard the Mayflower merchant ship. She was the first woman aboard the ship to step ashore at Plymouth Rock.

Since its establishment as a charitable, tax-exempt organization, the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation has made grant awards collectively approaching $3 million. 

Nearly 500 Regular and Mini Grants in amounts of $500 to $15,000 have been awarded to nonprofit and civic organizations and for educational projects in Sioux Falls and throughout South Dakota. Scores of K-12 Teacher Grants have been issued, and dozens of college scholarships given.

“We are glad to promote our Foundation’s interest in community partnerships,and we are continuing plans for uniquely supporting historic preservation, education and patriotism,” said John Paulson, President of the DAR Foundation’s board of directors. “These critical elements of our society and objectives of DAR have been well provided for by Dorothy Day Davenport and nurtured by the Mary Chilton Chapter. The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation is proud be part of these efforts through our Grants Program.”

The Grants Program for 2021 will include:

1. Mary Chilton Chapter NSDAR “Dorothy Day Davenport Grant.” This single,annual grant of $50,000 will be awarded to a tax-exempt nonprofit or civic organization in Sioux Falls 

2. Regular Grants. These are awarded to eligible South Dakota, tax-exempt organizations for singular programs or projects whose purpose is to promote historical preservation and the study of American history, heritage, institutions or tradition, as well as to promote unique educational activities, and advance the ideals of patriotism, democracy, new citizen engagement, and liberty. Awards may be for up to $15,000. Applications are accepted and considered three times each year.

3. Mini grants. These are awarded across the state in amounts up to $1,000.

Mini Grants underwrite local projects related to the Chapter’s purpose. They are designed to promote innovative educational experiences and speakers, historical and patriotic events, displays, and projects, as well as support citizen naturalization programs and patriotism. Mini Grants may be applied for any time during the year.

4. Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation. The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation funds New Teacher Grants and Innovation in Education grants for teachers in the Sioux Falls School District through an annual award to the Sioux Falls Public Schools Education Foundation.

5. Other programs: The Mary Chilton DAR Foundation funds scholarships at Augustana University and the University of Sioux Falls for students majoring in education, history or government. 

The Foundation also helps sponsor an annual History Days program for local middle school and high school students and their attendance at the national History Day Convention. For more information about the Mary Chilton DAR Foundation or grant criteria, see DAR-MaryChiltonFoundation.org. 

Additional information and criteria for applying for the Dorothy Day Davenport Grant also is available online.