Happy Wednesday! Megan here.
First things first, this issue is brought to you by SafeSplash Swim School.
- SafeSplash Swim School supports every swimmer at every age with life-saving water safety in a trusted environment. Now's the time to get your kids signed up for fall lessons and ensure they're empowered to create lifelong memories around water. Learn more and get signed up here.
Weather check: Still hot, but relief is in sight
This week, you'll find allllll sorts of back-to-school news, as well as new research on the state of philanthropy in Sioux Falls. Plus, learn about an upcoming event focused on improving the workforce, get a look at the new elementary school and find a ton of events you can hit up this week.
And now, news:
COMMUNITY
How well is Sioux Falls supporting nonprofits?
Simplified: Sioux Falls has been and remains a strong community when it comes to people giving money. But according to a study released this week by nonprofit consulting firm Maximizing Excellence, most donors believe philanthropy overall in the city is weaker now than it was five years ago – which leaves less room for optimism moving forward.
Why it matters
- Maximizing Excellence's "State of Sioux Falls Philanthropy" report was first conducted in 2020 amid economic uncertainty during the pandemic. Five years later, the report's reprisal shows local nonprofits on the whole haven't made meaningful progress – particularly when it comes to broadening the overall donor base.
- Philanthropic leaders said they're seeing the same small group of donors asked again and again, leading to donor fatigue. That, paired with economic uncertainty, diminishing federal grant opportunities and belt-tightening from the city paints a rather bleak picture for Sioux Falls nonprofits.
- It's not all doom and gloom, though. The report shows most philanthropists interviewed see philanthropy overall as a feather in Sioux Falls' cap. Moving forward, on potential solution is a greater focus on "collective action," or finding ways to bring lots of people together in grassroots efforts to raise money, instead of holding out for one big donation from an individual.
- Additionally, the report cited a need for more emphasis on philanthropy among up-and-coming leaders and younger generations.
"To sustain what makes Sioux Falls the community it is, it cannot be business as usual for philanthropy," Founder and CEO Cindy Peterson said. "The findings urge Sioux Falls to shift the community's philanthropic mindset and make philanthropy more of a commonly held goal throughout the community."
Tell me more about the report
EDUCATION
What educators want parents to know as school starts back up
Simplified: It's OK to cry in the car after drop-off, and it's also OK to keep tabs on your high schooler. Sioux Falls Simplified asked local teachers for their advice and what they wish parents knew as they're sending their kids back to school.
Hit me with the tips
Ok, a quick preface, though – certainly the advice for the parent of a kindergartener will be different than a high schooler, and some things are just good advice across the board.
Here's a little mix of all of that
SIMPLIFIED PRESENTS
The way we work is changing. This event demystifies it.
This is a paid piece from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation.
Simplified: The 2025 WIN in Workforce Summit will bring businesses and community leaders together to look at how the workforce is changing, from the evolving role of managers to new leadership styles to why your job application might get ghosted. Here's what you need to know.
Why it matters
- This is the eighth year the Sioux Falls Development Foundation is hosting the summit. At its origin, WIN in Workforce focused on supporting human resources professionals, but over the years it's become clear that everybody has a role to play in improving the workforce, said Denise Guzzetta, vice president of talent and workforce for the Foundation.
- This year's event features keynote speaker Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a stress physiologist and evolutionary biologist, who will discuss how we need to think differently about fear and stress in the workplace.
- The Oct. 23 event will also talk about what inspires leaders across generations, building your talent pipeline, digital skills employees need to know and more. The event will wrap with a closing session led by Think 3D Founder Vaney Hariri.
"The 'why' of this summit is to get together and talk about all of these micro- and macro-level workforce trends," Guzzetta said.
Tell me more about the summit
TL;DR
Super Simplified Stories
- City Council passes ban on shelters in public parks. After weeks of emotional testimony, the Sioux Falls City Council voted 7-1 Tuesday night to pass a more nuanced version of a ban on homeless encampments. Councilor Miranda Basye was the lone "no" vote.
- Councilor Rich Merkouris asked the mayor to pay close attention to how the new ordinance is implemented and that it's "not used as an enforcement with a sweep mechanism."
- "I trust our law enforcement to use it in a respectful manner that's going to help people in the long run," Merkouris said, noting that it's up to the council to make sure that occurs and to revisit the ordinance if needed.
EDUCATION
Get a look at Sioux Falls' newest school: Marcella LeBeau Elementary
Simplified: The Sioux Falls School District's newest elementary school will welcome students for the first time this week. Here's what you need to know about Marcella LeBeau Elementary.
Why it matters:
- Marcella LeBeau Elementary is the 24th elementary school in the district, and it's also the final project completed with the support of a $180 million bond to fund new schools approved. That bond also covered costs to build Jefferson High School and Ben Reifel Middle School, as well as various other building improvements across the city.
- The school's namesake herself was a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, a World War II veteran, a long-time nurse and a lifelong believer in the importance of service. LeBeau's legacy was celebrated Friday morning at a ribbon cutting for the new school attended by several of her relatives.
- LeBeau's grandson and current chair of the tribe, Ryman LeBeau, shared at length about all of the things his grandmother taught him about Native American history, language, culture and the importance of fighting for justice.
"This is surreal," Ryman LeBeau said. "This is hard to believe – our grandmother's name is on this building."
Tell me more about the building
EVENTS
Stuff to do: Aug. 20-26
- Hang with the relatives. It's the third annual Mitakuye Owas’iƞ All My Relatives Festival on Saturday at the Levitt. Celebrate Native American art and culture with live music, a fashion show, featured speakers, vendors and children's activities. The night wraps up with a performance by Mato Wayuhi at 8 p.m. Get the full lineup here.
- Support local makers. The annual 605 Made Night Market is back this weekend at 6th and Phillips. From 3 to 9 p.m., you can shop local vendors, check out food trucks and enjoy some live entertainment. Details here.
- Get spooked. Get your pumpkin spice lattes ready, folks, because fall aka "spooky season" is fast-approaching. Terror29 is leaning into the horror with a weekly Spook Show. The 50-minute show is limited to just 13 guests per performance and, as the website warns, "this is no ordinary spectacle." Learn more and snag tickets here.
- Work out on the roof. Barre3 and SISU are teaming up for a Barre3 class on the roof of Cherapa 2. It's all going down Thursday afternoon starting at 5:30 p.m., and you can learn more & sign up here.
- Go to grown-up summer camp. Kids are back in school, and now it's time for the grown ups to take advantage of all of the fun activities at the YMCA's Camp Leif Ericson. Spend Saturday at "Big Vikes" Adult Day Camp and enjoy food trucks, adult beverages, archery, crafts, ziplines and s'more. Register here.
THIS AND THAT
What I'm falling for this week:
ICYMI
More Simplified Stories
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
Megan Raposa
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Swimming should be the first sport your kids learn because water safety is a life-saving skill. Get signed up for lessons here.
