Sturgis Area Community Foundation has recognized the Sturgis Downtown Development Association (DDA) with a 2022 Impact Award. The organization was one of two groups honored recently during the Community Foundation’s 60th anniversary gala on Friday, May 6th. The DDA was selected for their contributions to local efforts in community engagement and place-making.

“From Art Around Town to Music on North, this group has created a series of events and programs that allow residents to visit downtown and truly love where they live,” shared SACF trustee Elizabeth Whitehead while introducing the award.

Two years ago, Sturgis Area Community Foundation staff, trustees, and committee members began working together to explore ways to increase the impact of Foundation grants in local communities. These discussions involved reading literature, the analysis of local data, conversations with nonprofit partners, and peer review of other community foundations. From this effort, SACF restructured its competitive grants program to offer quarterly opportunities for nonprofits to request funding through new Community Impact grants that prioritize projects in areas that are critical to building vibrant communities. The DDA was one of the first recipients of a Community Impact grant for their project “Engaging Downtown” in the fall of 2021.

Ryan Conrod addressed guests at Sturgis Area Community Foundation’s 60th anniversary gala after receiving a 2022 Impact Award on behalf of the Sturgis DDA.

Through philanthropic services, strategic investments, and community leadership, Sturgis Area Community Foundation helps people support the causes they care about, now and for generations to come. For more information on grants or donor services, email sacf@sturgisfoundation.org.