VERMILLION, S.D. — August 24, 2026 Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP) is celebrating a year of significant growth and impact while launching a community-wide fundraising campaign aimed at expanding opportunities for children and families across eastern South Dakota.
Over the past year, the organization has continued to grow its reach throughout the Northern Plains, providing young people with safe spaces, supportive mentors and programs that help them succeed in school, build healthy relationships and develop essential life skills to prepare for the future. Founded in Brookings, BGCNP has grown to serve more than 4,500 youth and families annually across six communities – Brookings, Elkton, Milbank, Moody County, Vermillion and Yankton – making it the largest Boys & Girls Club organization in the state of South Dakota. BGCNP also includes Flandreau Indian School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs Education site serving students in grades 9–12, three Early Childhood Enrichment Clubhouses in Brookings, Flandreau and Vermillion, as well as diversion and case management sites serving Elk Point and North Sioux City.
Beyond academic support, caring mentors, educational programming and skills development, BGCNP helps ensure young people have the nourishment they need to learn, grow and thrive. In 2025 alone, BGCNP provided 384,723 free meals and snacks to fuel young minds and bodies — a 279% increase from the previous year.
BGCNP’s impact has been strengthened by the longstanding generosity of countless South Dakotans including Vermillion businessman and philanthropist Larry Brady, whose support has helped improve facilities, expand programming and create greater access for children and families throughout the region.
Now, Brady is making another transformational investment in the future of South Dakota’s youth.
His pledge to match every dollar donated to Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains, up to $100,000, will create a $200,000 opportunity for the communities across the region to maximize impact and help ensure more young people have access to life-changing programs and services.
“Transformational gifts do exactly what they sound like,” said BGCNP Chief Executive Officer Jody Hernandez. “They don’t just help us sustain our work. They create opportunities to grow, innovate and reach more young people who need us. Larry’s pledge is an investment in the future of our communities and our children. We’re incredibly grateful for his leadership and belief in our mission.”
Funds raised through the Keep the Ball Rolling campaign will directly support Boys & Girls Club programming across the Northern Plains, helping the organization continue its mission to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.
“I’ve watched Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains change lives, families, kids and entire communities across South Dakota,” said Larry Brady, Brady Companies LLC. “I’m convinced the best way to invest in South Dakota’s future is to support Boys & Girls Club. That’s why I’ve made this commitment. Now I’m challenging others to join me and help keep the ball rolling.”
Community members can learn more about the Keep the Ball Rolling campaign, watch the campaign video and make a gift at www.greatfuturessd.org/give. Gifts may be directed to the community of the donor’s choosing.
About Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
For more than 22 years, Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains (BGCNP) has been building safe, welcoming spaces where youth can learn, grow and thrive. Founded in Brookings, South Dakota, BGCNP has grown to serve more than 4,500 youth and families annually across six communities – Brookings, Elkton, Milbank, Moody County, Vermillion and Yankton – making BGCNP the largest Boys & Girls Club organization in the state of South Dakota. BGCNP also includes three Early Childhood Enrichment Clubhouses in Brookings, Flandreau, and Vermillion, as well as Flandreau Indian School, a Bureau of Indian Affairs Education site serving students in grades 9–12.
BGCNP’s evidence-based programming is built around four priority outcome areas: Academic Success, Health & Wellbeing, Character & Leadership and Life & Workforce Readiness. All programs are delivered through a trauma-informed lens, recognizing that every young person deserves an environment built on consistency, care and high expectations.
BGCNP is a proud member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America and works alongside Clubs across the nation to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Learn more at www.greatfuturessd.org.
— From the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains
