Valley Queen Charitable Foundation
Accepts applications
Valley Queen Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Milbank, South Dakota. In tax year 2025 it gave $520,839 in 79 grants; the typical grant was $1,500 and the largest $107,750. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$520,839
- Number of grants79
- Typical grant$1,500
- Largest grant$107,750
- Assets$2.0 million
- New grantees48%
Giving in 2025 was down from $626,058 the year before.
48% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $761,102 | 66 | $2.1 million |
| 2024 | $626,058 | 64 | $1.9 million |
| 2025 | $520,839 | 79 | $2.0 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Valley Queen Charitable Foundation 201 South Dakota Street, Milbank, SD 57252 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (605) 432-4563 |
| What to submit | Application can be requested by calling 605-432-4563. |
| Deadlines | None - accepting applications year round |
| Restrictions | Organizations that qualify as exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code of 1986 that are not private foundations are eligible for awards. All grants, with the possible exception of individual scholarships for post-secondary college and technical school tuition, will be made to 501(c)(3) organizations. The foundation reserves the right to determine which organizations and individuals will receive funding and may require follow-up reports from the grant recipients confirming the funds were utilized as granted. |
What Valley Queen Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to South Dakota.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 59 | $546,143 |
| Minnesota | 13 | $8,725 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $500 |
| Arizona | 1 | $321 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $200 |
| Texas | 1 | $150 |
| Georgia | 1 | $100 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $100 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $100 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Milbank | Donation | $107,750 |
| Milbank School District | Donation | $88,550 |
| Milbank High School Education Foundation | Donation | $53,348 |
| Building Our Families | Donation | $30,250 |
| Abbey of the Hills Inn and Retreat Center | Donation | $28,100 |
| Lake Area Technical College Foundation | Donation | $20,000 |
| South Dakota Agricultural and Rural Leadership Foundation | Donation | $20,000 |
| Special Olympics South Dakota Inc | Donation | $15,205 |
| Leadership South Dakota | Donation | $15,100 |
| Make A Wish Foundation of South Dakota | Donation | $15,000 |
| Fellowship of Christian Athletes | Donation | $13,500 |
| Joy Ranch of South Dakota | Donation | $11,500 |
| Saint Lawrence Parish of Grant County | Donation | $10,700 |
| South Dakota State University Foundation | Donation | $10,540 |
| Community Transit of Watertown Sisseton Inc | Donation | $10,000 |
| Glacial Lakes Multicultural Center Inc | Donation | $10,000 |
| Junior Achievement of South Dakota | Donation | $8,100 |
| Bulldog Booster Club | Donation | $7,300 |
| American Lutheran Church-Preschool | Donation | $6,500 |
| Deuel School District 19-4 | Donation | $6,500 |
| Christian Service Council of Grant County | Donation | $5,000 |
| Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting | Donation | $5,000 |
| South Dakota Humanities Council | Donation | $5,000 |
| Ortonville Public School District #2903 | Donation | $3,500 |
| It Only Takes A Spark | Donation | $3,005 |
| Backyard Bulldogs Child Care | Donation | $3,000 |
| Catholic Foundation for Eastern South Dakota | Donation | $3,000 |
| Corona Fire Department | Donation | $3,000 |
| Wilmot Community Foundation | Donation | $2,750 |
| Fatted Calf | Donation | $2,000 |
| Grant County Arc | Donation | $1,750 |
| Avera at Home | Donation | $1,600 |
| Friends of the Grant County Library | Donation | $1,500 |
| Glacial Lakes Humane Society and Shelter | Donation | $1,500 |
| Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership Foundation Inc | Donation | $1,500 |
| Lake Area Zoological Society | Donation | $1,500 |
| Lifequest | Donation | $1,500 |
| Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota Inc | Donation | $1,500 |
| Orphan Grain Train Inc | Donation | $1,500 |
| Scholarship America Inc | Donation | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Doug Wilke
- Kenneth Karels
- Jody Kuper
- Trudi Robel
- Kristin Tanner
- Brad Snaza
- Tom Schuneman
- Jason Humpton
Questions people ask
Does Valley Queen Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: None - accepting applications year round.
How much does Valley Queen Charitable Foundation give?
$520,839 in tax year 2025, across 79 grants, with a typical grant of $1,500.
Who runs Valley Queen Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Doug Wilke (President), Kenneth Karels (Vice President), Jody Kuper (Secretary/Treasurer) and Trudi Robel (Director) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Valley Queen Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, faith communities and human services.