Steve Hildebrand and Promising Futures Fund Receives Acts of Excellence Award
On June 25, 2025, Steve Hildebrand and Promising Futures Fund officially received their Acts of Excellence award in a public ceremony in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The South Dakota Hall of Fame first announced the list of 2025 Acts of Excellence recipients in April 2025, and has been honoring individuals and organizations throughout South Dakota with award ceremonies in each act’s hometown.
During the ceremony, Steve Hildebrand shared, “I am a person who has a hard time sitting still when I see needs to be filled. A child born into poverty deserves a shot at a great future just as much as anyone else. But the obstacles they face are significant, and we should feel obligated to do all that we can to help them achieve a path out of poverty.”
Steve continued, “Our community is becoming stronger as a result of the investments we are making in the youth. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting the work of the Promising Futures Fund and the great students we serve.”
About the Promising Futures Fund
Founded in 2019 by Steve Hildebrand, the Promising Futures Fund, a nonprofit initiative supported and managed by the Sioux Falls Area Community Foundation, has ignited a quiet revolution in Sioux Falls, driven by one simple belief: no child should be limited by their zip code or economic status. With nearly half the students in the Sioux Falls School District living in poverty, Hildebrand set out to create equity through education, experiences, and opportunity.
The Promising Futures Fund supports 19 of the city's highest-need schools, partnering closely with principals and educators to directly respond to what kids need most. The impact is staggering: over 51,000 books are distributed annually through the Book-A-Month Club, helping kids build personal libraries and a love of reading. Thousands of students participate in transformative programs. From field trips, summer camps, reading interventions, to college visits, these students are exposed to what’s possible beyond their current circumstances.
These aren't one-off efforts. They’re coordinated, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in data and relationships. Whether it's funding college advisors, creating afterschool programs, or building a neighborhood park, each initiative is designed to inspire kids to dream—and equip them to chase those dreams.
Hildebrand’s personal story of growing up in poverty in Mitchell, South Dakota, makes this mission even more powerful. He’s not just a leader; he’s lived it. His relentless dedication, powerful storytelling, and willingness to roll up his sleeves has built a movement that changes lives.
The Promising Futures Fund doesn’t seek fanfare, it seeks outcomes. And those outcomes are clear: hope, opportunity, and a better future for South Dakota’s next generation.
Learn more about the Promising Futures Fund here.