About Us

The Milbank Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that serves the Milbank, South Dakota, area with a mission to provide the opportunity for philanthropic investment in our community; to demonstrate leadership in the areas of education, social and economic development; and to promote the quality of life of the residents of the Milbank area.

Brief History

The Milbank Community Foundation was created in 1993 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization to receive and accept money and property for charitable or benevolent purposes for the benefit of the residents of the Milbank area.  The Milbank Community Foundation consists of 16 designated funds with assets of over $1.2 million as of December 2021.  The Foundation also assists local nonprofit organizations with management and fundraising.

Unity Square, a recreational facility, was the first project that the Milbank Community Foundation helped raise funds for in the community; construction of the facility was completed in 1995.   Unity Square was created to provide programs for cultural, health, and recreational enhancement while maintaining an attractive, functional facility.  Unity Square will furnish a gathering place that provides opportunity and programming for all people.  In the interest of our clientele, we will strive to create the best customer service that leaves a feeling of importance and appreciation for all users of Unity Square.  We will provide these services regardless of the ability to pay.  Unity Square consists of a large indoor pool equipped with a 109-foot water slide, a wading pool, a whirlpool, a sauna, racquetball courts, a gymnasium, a walking/jogging track, a nautilus center, a free weight room, and meeting rooms. Unity Square was transferred to the City of Milbank on January 1, 2021.

The next community project was the development of the Midwest Dairy Institute in 1998. The mission of the Midwest Dairy Institute was to operate a profitable dairy farm using efficient, effective, and practical dairy management.  By doing so, we were a credible resource for the dairy industry.  We will served as a demonstration farm, informational clearinghouse, and educational center.  We were committed to helping dairy producers, dairy workers, industry representatives, and consumers better understand modern dairy farming.  In 1999, the Midwest Dairy Institute was milking 320 cows in a double-8 herringbone parlor twice a day.  Midwest Dairy was sold on December 31, 2011 to Riverview Dairy, Morris, MN. At the time of sale Midwest Dairy Institute was milking 1,589 cows in a 40-stall carousel parlor three times a day.

In 2021 the Milbank Community Foundation moved to the present location at 103 Flynn Drive near the Holland Grist Mill.