BROOKINGS – In recognition of South Dakota’s first-ever Day of Giving, the Larson Family Foundation will match, on a 1-to-1 basis, all donations from Brookings County to the 23 Brookings nonprofit agencies registered with South Dakota Gives.  

To be eligible, donations must be made on Giving Day, Nov. 27. 

Giving Day is one day when nonprofits can highlight their work, and donors across the state can celebrate generosity by giving to their favorite organizations. Twenty-three nonprofits in Brookings County are participating and have registered with South Dakota Gives – the organization coordinating the statewide #ForSouthDakota campaign. They are extending the South Dakota Gives campaign with coordinated efforts they are calling #BrookingsGives.   

The matching gift from the Larson Family Foundation means that any amount that donors from Brookings County give to one of the 23 registered nonprofits on Nov. 27 will be matched dollar for dollar. 

“This gift is huge. The thing about the Larson Foundation is that they can’t see doing business differently. This is just what they do. The impact of this gift means that even the smallest donor will have a meaningful impact. It is touching, heartwarming and so, so important,” said Dan McColley, executive director of Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity, one of the participants in #BrookingsGives. 

“The Larson Family Foundation is pleased to bring attention to this celebration of nonprofits and the important work they are doing in the community,” said Maree Larson, executive director.  

The Larson Family Foundation was created in 1990 by Dale Larson, former CEO and president of Larson Manufacturing Company. With headquarters in Brookings, Larson Manufacturing is the nation’s largest manufacturer of storm doors and storm windows. Dale Larson established the foundation to give back to the Brookings community and the state of South Dakota, which has played a significant role in the growth and prospering of the family-owned company. The focus of its grant-making is to provide for basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter and education.  

South Dakota Gives will not take a percentage of donations received through its site, but acts as a platform from which to launch excitement and the ability for registered nonprofits to showcase their volunteers and passion for meeting the needs in their community. 

Every cent donors give goes to the organization they choose to support.  And the matching gift from the Larson Family Foundation, means that gifts to the participating nonprofits made from Brookings County residents on Nov. 27 will be doubled.

How to give on Nov. 27

1) Online via South Dakota Gives. Go to www.southdakotagives.org and click on Participants. Find your favorite organization, click on its logo that takes you to a donation page.

2) Directly online. Follow the steps on your favorite organization’s website or social media sites to donate directly.

3) Check. Bring a check to the office of your favorite nonprofit’s office during normal working hours.

The 23 nonprofits registered for South Dakota Day of Giving include:

•Advance

• Brookings Area Transit Authority

• Boys & Girls Club of Brookings

• Brookings Area Habitat for Humanity

• Brookings Area United Way

• Brookings Arts Council

• Brookings County Youth Mentoring Program

• Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter

• Brookings Empowerment Project

• Brookings Regional Humane Society

• Brookings Salvation Army

• Camelot Amigos Spanish Club (Brookings School District)

• Children’s Museum of South Dakota

• East Central Mental Health

• Food for Thought Project (Brookings School District)

• Healing Hands Project

• Option 1

• South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum

• South Dakota Art Museum

• South Dakota Humanities Council

• South Dakota State University Foundation

• South Dakota Youth Foundation

• Volunteer Service Bank