South Dakota funds school career programs through a nonprofit grant

The law sets aside $500,000 from the state general fund for a grant to an in-state nonprofit. The nonprofit uses the grant to support school districts and accredited nonpublic schools running Jobs for America's Graduates programs in South Dakota. The Department of Education is to provide the grant to a nonprofit organization located in South Dakota. The law takes effect June 30, 2026.

The law limits how the grant may be used. These limits apply to the grant and the efforts it supports. The grant may match private contributions or donations, match federal education or career readiness grants received by the program, or support larger efforts in which the nonprofit is a partner. The money and supported efforts must go to program operations at a South Dakota school district or accredited nonpublic school. Grant money may not go into an endowment fund. The law takes effect June 30, 2026.

The law directs the state treasurer to transfer money in the special donation fund to the general fund and repeals the law that created the special fund. The transfer covers money held in the special donation fund created under state law. These provisions take effect June 30, 2026.