SEARCH MENU Stories Inspiring ideas from people thinking big about our region. More stories by topic Stories by year Sowing Seeds of Healing A catalyst is an agent that provokes or accelerates significant change or action. And that’s just what the Catalyst Initiative was designed to do when the George Family Foundation launched it in 2014. By Mo Perry Photography by Carina Lofgren Alliance Builder Marcus Owens (BF'17) leads the African American Leadership Forum into a new era for Black opportunity and connectivity. By Michael Kleber-Diggs Photography by Pierre Ware By Marcie Rendon Photography by Zach Straw Growing the Herd The Lakota creation story describes how, in the beginning of time, beings emerged from the earth beneath the Black Hills in what is now known as South Dakota. There were some who took human form and others who took buffalo form. It was in this beginning that an inseparable bond formed between the buffalo nation and the Lakota human nation. GRANTEE SPOTLIGHTS Community Innovation Appetite for Change Tuttle Rural Innovation Center South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hmong American Farmers Association LEADERS WHO THINK BIGGER AND DIFFERENTLY Artistry, Scholarship and Identity Maria Cristina Tavera (BF'05) Positive Direction Dipankar Mukherjee (BF'05) Teaching Trauma Awareness Heather Simonich (BF'12) Connecting Community, Seizing Opportunity Ernesto Velez Bustos (BF'15) Recent Stories Pandemic Whisperer When Michael Osterholm (BF’82) speaks about public health, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy founder has the whole world listening. By Erik Tormoen Stronger Together Trailblazing Hmong leader Bo Thao-Urabe (BF’19) and the Coalition of Asian-American Leaders help communities join forces to rise above adversity. by Susan Du Illustrations by Khou Vue Risk for Reward With the Neighborhood Development Center, Mihailo “Mike” Temali (BF’98) works with urban communities to help them grow from within. by Sarah Chandler Photography by Hunt + Capture What Would Love Do? Amelia Franck Meyer (BF’15) is transforming the child welfare system by healing trauma and putting families first. by Mo Perry Photography by David Ellis Help Us Build A Better Community For Everyone GRANTS & OPPORTUNITIES Social Media TWITTER FACEBOOK YOUTUBE INSTAGRAM Footer HOME JOB OPPORTUNITIES BRAND GUIDELINES SUBSCRIBE CONTACT US