The Lakota Fund of South Dakota has won a $100,000 grant from the Northwest Area Foundation for its efforts to reduce poverty on the Pine Ridge Reservation.

As the first and only financial development institution on the reservation, the Fund was selected for the "Great Strides Award" for developing a culture of entrepreneurship and for nurturing a collaborative approach with other financial institutions. The Fund's activities include business loans, technical assistance and community economic development projects, such as the Pine Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

�In the midst of the economic challenges facing so many communities today, it�s heartening to acknowledge the progress initiated, and realized, by The Lakota Fund,� said Karl Stauber, president and CEO of Northwest Area Foundation. �Its successful community-driven efforts have led to job growth and greater economic opportunity on the reservation.�

The Fund is one of first four winners of the new Great Strides Award.

Relevant Links:
Lakota Fund - http://www.lakotafund.org
Northwest Area Foundation - http://www.nwaf.org.

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Lakota Fund awarded economic development grant (05/22)