Request a charitable sponsorship or donation
Strong, vibrant communities are our lifeblood, and we invest our time and resources so they can grow and aim even higher.
We recently transitioned to a new grant management process through GrantsConnect by YourCause+BlackBaud to improve the grant giving process for our applicants.
Certain tax-exempt organizations (as recognized by the IRS) can apply for a charitable donation or sponsorship at any time of the year, but we request you not apply if your event is scheduled more than six months in the future. Due to the timing of our grant cycles, please allow up to 120 days to receive a funding decision. We generally support requests that align with our key giving priorities: responsible energy and environmental stewardship, education and workforce development, strong communities and helping people.
Eligible organizations include:
- 501c3 nonprofit organizations
- School districts
NOT eligible for charitable funding from Black Hills Energy:
- 501c4 organization (social welfare organizations and civic leagues, which are not tax deductible because of engagement in political activities)
- 501c6 organizations (Chambers, economic development organizations and boards of trade)
However, if you are a Chamber or economic development organization or other tax-exempt organization, please reach out to the Community Affairs manager(s) in your state, as you may be eligible for other funding, just not through our charitable giving program.
To confirm your organization’s eligibility to receive charitable funds from Black Hills Energy, please search for your organization here NPOconnect Eligibility. In some circumstances, you may need to reach out to the IRS at 800-829-1040 to find out how to become eligible.
Before completing the form, gather the required documents listed below.
We recommend typing out answers in a Word document or another source, then copying and pasting or uploading information into the application.
- Organization's name, address, phone number and website.
- Submitter's name, job title, address, phone number and email.
- Copy of 501c3 status tax-exempt letter (if applicable). (Allowed type: non-editable PDF)
- Explain the purpose of requested funds, project timeline and describe all recognition levels available.
- If your organization received Black Hills Energy funding within the past five years, explain the purpose for which the funds were used.
- Provide a brief description of your organization, its history and purpose.
- Detail the efforts your organization is currently undertaking to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into your organization's ongoing strategy.
- Describe the impact your organization or event has on the community and the number of people served by your organization.
- Provide a list of your organization's officers and/or board of directors.
- List any opportunities for advertising, recognition or naming rights associated with this request.
- Upload a complete budget for the capital project, event or requested use of the funding. (Allowed types: pdf)
- Provide a list of major contributors related to your request to date, including pending requests.
- Please list any employees from Black Hills Energy serving as volunteers for your organization, in what capacity they serve and approximate length of their service in years.
Select your state below to begin application
Arkansas
The first step for those requesting grants in Arkansas is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a 10% fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant. For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501c3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Arkansas application, please reach out to Robin Mizell.
Colorado
The first step for those requesting grants in Colorado is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a 10% fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant. For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501c3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Colorado application, please reach out to Julie Rodriguez or John Vigil with Colorado Electric, or Jason Auslander or Tom Henley with Colorado Gas.
Iowa
The first step for those requesting grants in Iowa is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a 10% fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant. For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501c3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Iowa application, please reach out to Lynn Porter or Nicole Breitbach.
Kansas
The first step for those requesting grants in Kansas is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a ten percent fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant.For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501©3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Kansas application, please reach out to James Williams.
Nebraska
The first step for those requesting grants in Nebraska is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a 10% fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant. For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501c3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Nebraska application, please reach out to Melissa Garcia or Jennifer Peters.
South Dakota
The first step for those requesting grants in South Dakota is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a ten percent fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant.For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501©3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your South Dakota application, please reach out to Marsha Nichols.
Wyoming
The first step for those requesting grants in Wyoming is to set up a profile for your organization in a database called NPOconnect. NPOconnect is a nonprofit database that verifies validity of the nonprofit's status with the IRS. Registering is easy and free. This process captures your contact information and allows you to set up the best way to receive payments. Please note that grants paid via a paper check are subject to a 10% fee (up a maximum of $100) which will be deducted from your awarded grant. For most of our nonprofit partners, you may already have a profile, so no additional actions are needed, or you may need to update your profile. You may need to upload a copy of your organization’s IRS determination letter (stating that your organization is recognized as a 501c3) and documentation proving your affiliation with the organization.
You only have to register your organization once, after which it will remember you the next time you submit a request. Click the link below that correlates to your nonprofit type to be walked through the process.
After you’ve created or updated your profile with NPOconnect, begin your application below.
Our Community Affairs team manages our charitable giving process. If you have questions about your Wyoming application, please reach out to Laurie Farkas.
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