Small Grants Applications are accepted throughout the year. Applicants must be a non-profit organization with federal tax exemption. Individuals may not receive grants. Grant applications can be used to:

1. Raise awareness of breast cancer and increase the capacity of effective breast health programs or assist grassroots organizations to incorporate breast health into their activities, to explore new ways of doing things, and to reach new communities.

2. Assist grantees, health care professionals and advocates to attend, participate in and/or present at meetings, conferences or symposia that would increase the community knowledge of breast cancer and facilitate the exchange of ideas and communication between the scientific and lay public.

3. Partner with other organizations to support local scientific or educational conferences, with an emphasis on those that enhance the interaction between the advocate, healthcare and scientific communities. The content must focus on breast cancer or breast cancer must make up a significant part of the conference.

Funding requests should not be for a project that would normally be eligible for funding through the yearly peer-reviewed Komen Grant process such as screening and treatment projects. Grant requests should be received at least eight weeks prior to the event for which funds are requested. Grant applicants are available at www.komensouthdakota.org or by contacting the Komen South Dakota Grants Chair at glendavanroekel@sio.midco.net or 605.371.1794.

Up to 75 percent of funds raised by the Komen Affiliate remain in the state to fund local breast health education, and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Remaining net income (a minimum of 25 percent) supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world. Since its inception in 2005, the South Dakota Affiliate has granted out nearly $740,000 across the state to support breast health education, screening and treatment programs.

The South Dakota Affiliate will hold its 3rd

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Together, with its Affiliates led by more than 100,000 survivors and activists, Komen is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. As the face and voice of the global breast cancer movement, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised nearly $1.5 billion dollars for the fight against breast cancer.