Mission
We connect capital and capacity to empower rural communities.
Our mission is the one reason Dakota Resources exists. It informs everyone in the organization what to do.
Vision
We believe in a thriving rural.
We recognize rural communities and the people who are a part of them have often had difficulty accessing resources, including capital and leadership development. A thriving rural means everyone in a rural community has an equitable opportunity to contribute to and benefit from the resources, systems, and structures available. Thriving also means everyone’s voice in a rural community matters in shaping their community’s future.
Who we serve
The work of Dakota Resources is shaped by people who are passionate about their rural communities. From economic development organizations to volunteers, and from boards of directors to engaged residents, the work to build a thriving rural requires many voices and many hands. And while a thriving rural may look different across rural places, as a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Dakota Resources believes that access to capital and leadership capacity are key to a thriving rural future — and that future is here.
Growing B.O.L.D.ly Ahead: Initial B.O.L.D. Cohort Wraps Up
Thanks to a $200,000 Beyond Idea Grant (BIG) from the South Dakota Community Foundation – awarded to Dakota Resources in partnership with the Bush Foundation – we’ve been able to support innovative, community-based, problem-solving efforts for economic development organizations through the B.O.L.D. (Building Organizations for Local Development) Framework.
Dakota Resources’ Capital Investment Fund Supports Native CDFIs on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation
“Every rural community is unique.” This statement can be found on our website and throughout our marketing, not because it sounds good, but because these values help to shape the work that we do at Dakota Resources. Through our Community Development Loans program, and, more specifically, through our Capital Investment Fund (CIF), we’re able to support rural communities, economic development organizations, housing authorities, and other Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs).
How might we put ‘unity’ back in community?
Communities are the foundation of our society, and their strength and success lie in the unity of its members. Yet, often at the heart of so many communities is disunity. As a community coach, I collaborate with rural leaders to build local capacity and engage community members in working on local priorities so their community can thrive. One of the most common topics that comes up as the groups are planning for future outcomes is their desire for unity with other community leaders.
