See the great article in the RCJ. https://rapidcityjournal.com/life-entertainment/local/events/article_4ecd55ff-3f62-4b8f-b8a0-8c11444ee9e0.html
Come support this new fundraising event and cast your vote. Rushmore Rotary invites the public to support three local nonprofits, and enjoy a fun evening, at the first ever Rushmore Rotary Giving Circle event. The Rapid City event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the Fine Arts Building at Central States Fairgrounds. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Each participant will donate $100, which allows them to vote for one of three charitable organizations chosen by Rushmore Rotary committee members -- Reservation Outreach, South Dakota Service Dogs, and Da Coda Instruments – to receive financial support.
Reservation Outreach is a volunteer-led nonprofit focused on eliminating hunger and providing support to families of Pine Ridge. South Dakota Service Dogs provides highly trained service dogs to veterans and first responders who are living with PTSD or related challenges. Da Coda Instruments collects band and orchestra instruments for Rapid City music students whose families don’t have the resources to buy or rent instruments. All proceeds from the Rushmore Rotary Giving Circle will go supporting the three organizations. The organization that garners the most votes will receive 80% of the money raised, and the other two organizations will each receive 10% of all money raised, according to Toni Owan, a member of the Rushmore Rotary planning committee for Giving Circle.
During the Giving Circle, each nonprofit will have an informational booth. Representatives from each organization will give a short presentation about what their organization does and how they would use the money. “It’s so great to be able to come and hear about nonprofits and learn what their needs are and make an impactful (donation),” Owan said. “We were looking for some diversity and some smaller charities. We wanted to highlight them and give them some attention … and be a champion for some local nonprofits that need it.”
Throughout the event, Celtic Crossroads will perform live music. Celtic Crossroads features local musicians Si Isler, Mike Lemay, Alicia Sutliff-Benusis and Amber Tjeerdsma. Food trucks and a cash bar will be available.“When we each give a little, together we can create a lasting impact and strengthen the nonprofits that make our community a better place for everyone,” Owan said. Owan said she was inspired by her involvement with Key Circle Giving Gals, a giving circle in Sturgis, to suggest a giving circle fundraiser for Rushmore Rotary. “Our group is so giving and caring. I thought it would be a great fit for Rotary. Hopefully it will be an annual event,” Owan said. Giving Circles are part of a growing national movement called The Power of 100, Owan said. “If everybody gives $100, our combined effect is very impactful,” she said. “Giving Circle is the power of people coming together with a shared purpose.”