Sixty-eight years ago, a small group of families believed their loved ones with disabilities deserved the opportunity to live full, meaningful lives in this community. While that belief seems simple today, it was revolutionary at the time. It became the foundation of Black Hills Works, and we’ve been trailblazing ever since.
What they started, you have sustained.
Because of your generosity, 2025 became another year of opportunity, independence, and belonging for nearly 600 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the Black Hills. Your support helped people become artists, athletes, employees, volunteers, neighbors, and friends. That’s the impact you made.
A Community Came Together
The Black Hills Works community gathered throughout the year to celebrate lives, achievements, and the people who make our mission possible.
At the annual Recognition Gala, 24 outstanding individuals were honored for their contributions as participants, employees, volunteers, advocates, and community partners. Together, supporters like you celebrated the extraordinary accomplishments that happen when people are given opportunities to thrive.
Another memorable moment in 2025 was recognizing nine participants who have been part of the Black Hills Works family for more than 50 years. Their journeys represent decades of growth, friendship, and belonging—made possible because a caring community continued to invest in them year after year.
More than five decades of support isn’t simply a milestone. It’s proof of what’s possible when a community chooses to walk alongside people for a lifetime.
Homes Built for Independence
Your giving moved shovels this year. Black Hills Works broke ground on a new duplex on Chief Drive, funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant, that will support eight participants with high needs when it opens in Spring 2026.
In 2025, four single-family community homes opened, welcoming 12 participants to comfortable homes that afforded significant independence. You made a difference alongside the VanBockern Dean Family Foundation which made a transformational gift to support renovations needed in three community homes. Your support alongside the VanBockern Dean Family Foundation funded critical upgrades in four homes, including enhanced accessibility features and adaptive technology so residents can be safer, more comfortable, and more independent at home
Assistive and smart home technology is now available in nearly half of all Black Hills Works residences. Because of your generosity, technology is creating greater independence, safety, and confidence—giving participants more control over their daily lives.
Art. Theater. Opportunity. Growth.
For more than 25 years, donors like you have made professional arts programming possible at Black Hills Works. In 2025, your support continued to open doors for artists and performers to share their talents with our community.
Visitors purchased artwork from the Suzie Cappa Art Center, helping support working artists with disabilities while also making possible the exciting expansion of the Center. When completed, even more artists will have opportunities to create, earn income, and build careers.
Your generosity also brought Flutter Productions’ performances of Carnival of the Animals and Frankenstein to life. These fully adaptive, full-stage productions are made possible through donations, grants, ticket sales, and a community that believes every performer deserves the spotlight.
Turning Generosity into Action
Every gift has a story long before it reaches a participant.
Throughout 2025, the Black Hills Works Foundation team worked behind the scenes to connect caring donors, grant funders, sponsors, volunteers, and community partners with opportunities to make a meaningful difference. Through grant writing, fundraising events, donor stewardship, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships, the Foundation helped transform generosity into tangible support for those who need it most.
The result? More than 1,000 individual participant requests were fulfilled for nearly 500 people. People like Dorthy. Dorthy needed a very costly dental procedure, and you came through. Dorthy was able to contribute some, and you met her halfway. Because of you, Dorthy is pain free and smiling.
From groceries and rent assistance to transportation, medical co-pays, art supplies, recreation opportunities, and wellness needs, your heartfelt generosity helped remove barriers and create opportunities for greater independence. Every request represents someone who knew they weren’t facing life’s challenges alone. That’s the power of a community—and a Foundation—working together.
Thank You to Our Grant Partners
Alongside your direct support, grants helped fill critical gaps in housing, transportation, employment, arts expression, and participant services. We are thankful for funding received from a Community Development Block Grant through the City of Rapid City, City of Rapid City Arts Investment Fund through the Rapid City Arts Council, Department of Homeland Security, Black Hills Energy, Midco Foundation, Rapid City Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Rasmussen Foundation, Sam’s Club, Sheldon Reese Foundation, Source America, South Dakota Arts Council, the Gail & Delores Miller Foundation through the South Dakota Community Foundation, United Way of the Black Hills, U.S. Bank Foundation, the John T. Vucurevich Foundation, and Walmart.
What Comes Next
Black Hills Works enters 2026 focused on expanding housing, investing in technology that increases independence, and creating even more opportunities for people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in our community.
The work isn’t finished—but because of you, it continues.
Every gift you make is more than a donation. It’s a home where someone can live independently. It’s a stage where a performer finds confidence. It’s a piece of artwork that inspires others. It’s transportation to a new job. It’s groceries during a difficult month. It’s a life filled with opportunity.
Thank you for believing in people. Thank you for believing in possibility. Most of all, thank you for making this community stronger for everyone.
Learn more by checking out our annual impact report!
