Community Partners Program

The Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for Services to Support At-Risk Populations, Culture, Arts, and Community Programming, and Economic Vitality and Growth are now open. View the RFPs on the City’s procurement portal here.

The City of Sioux Falls is introducing the Community Partners Program, a new program designed to support organizations that serve important community needs. This program replaces the traditional subsidy agreement model for funding community organizations with a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process, ensuring a more transparent, consistent, and accountable approach to allocating City funds to community organizations.

What Changed

Previously, community funding was awarded through individual subsidy agreements approved during the City’s annual budgeting process. The new RFP-based model:

  • Creates equal opportunities for organizations to compete for funding
  • Standardizes proposal review and evaluation
  • Aligns funding decisions with the City’s strategic priorities
  • Requires clear outcomes, performance measures, and reporting

Priority Areas

The Community Partners Program will focus funding on three key areas:

1. Supporting At-Risk Populations

Programs must address barriers to stability and well-being for vulnerable groups, including those experiencing homelessness.

Initiatives include:

  • Temporary Housing Services
  • Transitional Housing Services
  • Juvenile-Focused Services for Victims of Violence and Crime
  • At Risk of Homelessness Prevention and Stabilization Services
  • Mental Health, Physical Health, and Addiction Services

Total funding available for this priority area is $350,000. The RFP for this priority area opened at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025. Applications are due on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. on the procurement portal. View the RFP here.

2. Expanding Culture, Arts, and Community Programming

Projects should promote cultural vitality and enrich public life through accessible programming.

Initiatives include:

  • Accessible Wellness and Recreation Programming
  • Accessible Arts Programming in Public Facilities and Spaces
  • Accessible Literacy Programming in City-Owned Facilities
  • Public Art Experiences for Cultural Tourism and Community Engagement
  • Promotion and Implementation of New Accessible Public Events

Total funding available for this priority area is $300,000. The RFP for this priority area opened at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 12, 2025. Applications are due on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 2 p.m. on the procurement portal. View the RFP here. 

3. Strengthening Economic Vitality and Growth

Programs must support the City’s economic development goals.

Initiatives include:

  • Industry Growth and Economic Diversification
  • Vibrancy and Safety Investments in Downtown Sioux Falls

Total funding available for this priority area is $950,000. The RFP for this priority area will be released on Friday, September 19, 2025. 

Who Can Apply

Organizations that have previously received City subsidy agreements and new applicants are welcome to apply. This opportunity is designed to support both proven initiatives and creative new approaches that strengthen our community.

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to form partnerships that will strengthen program capacity and enhance the delivery of services. Applicants may apply for multiple scopes under each priority area. Only one proposal can be awarded per scope of work.

Pre-Bid Informational Meetings

As part of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the City will host pre-bid informational meetings for each priority area on:

Thursday, September 25, 2025
City Center Room 110 (231 N. Dakota Ave.)

If you are unable to attend in person, you can still call into the meetings through the links below.

Time Priority Area
9-10 a.m.

26-0007 Services to Support At-Risk Populations

Join the Meeting
10-11 a.m.

26-0008 Services to Support Culture, Arts, and Community Programming

Join the Meeting
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

26-0009 Services to Support Economic Vitality and Growth

Join the Meeting

What's Next

Following the proposal submission deadline, applications will be reviewed and an intent to award issued by year-end.

 

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