Watertown Women & Giving Awards $53,624 in Grants to 20 Local Nonprofits

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Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - Twenty local nonprofits will receive a combined $53,624 through the Watertown Area Community Foundation’s Women & Giving program, which announced its 2026 grant awards this week.

The grants support a wide range of needs for women and children across the Watertown area—from food security and family assistance to youth development, educational experiences, and programs that help families navigate challenging circumstances.

“One of the strengths of Women & Giving is the variety of needs we’re able to address through a single program,” said Cammie Mengwasser, executive director of the Watertown Area Community Foundation. “Some grants help families navigate difficult circumstances, while others create opportunities for children to discover new interests and build confidence.”

This year’s grantmaking marks continued growth for the program, increasing from $46,090 awarded to 14 organizations in 2025 to $53,624 awarded to 20 organizations in 2026.

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2026 Grant Recipients

Funding was awarded to the following organizations and projects:

· Ave Maria Catholic School — Educational books and materials

· Beacon Center — Integrative Advocate Plan program

· Boys & Girls Club of Watertown — Family engagement activities

· Brothers & Sisters Behind Bars — Program expansion

· Community Transit of Watertown/Sisseton — Transportation for women and children

· East-Central CASA — Enrichment experiences for children in foster care

· Friends of the Goss Opera House — Passport to the Arts program

· Glacial Lakes for the Children–Royal Family Kids Camp — Camper meals and supplies

· Inter-Lakes Community Action Partnership — Head Start sensory learning items

· Joy Ranch of South Dakota — Young Timber program

· Lake Area Zoological Society — Girls Rule program

· Lincoln PTO — Student hygiene kits

· Rachel’s Hope — Essential hygiene supplies for women and children in crisis

· Watertown Area Foster Closet — Emergency placement kits for children in foster care

· Watertown Area PACH — Food costs for one week of packs

· Watertown Area Snow Queen — Participant activities

· Watertown Cares — Support for individuals experiencing homelessness

· Watertown Middle School — Girls Night Out program

· Watertown Police Department — Camp Chance program

· Watertown Regional Library — Children’s summer reading program

Women & Giving is funded through donor contributions. In 2026, supporters provided $84,349 for immediate grantmaking and scholarships, plus $23,645 to the program’s endowment fund to support future generations.

“Women & Giving brings people together who believe in that work and want to be part of it,” Mengwasser said. “The generosity of our donors allows us to meet important needs today while building the resources to continue that support for years to come.”

In addition to nonprofit grants, Women & Giving provides scholarships for nontraditional female students attending Lake Area Technical College and Mount Marty University. Applications are open through Oct. 27, with up to $35,000 in scholarships to be awarded later this year.

More information about the program, grantmaking, and scholarship opportunities is available at watertowncommunityfoundation.org.