Join us as we reveal SDPB’s plans to Build Community One Story at a Time
SDPB’s Sound Vision Campaign is a $13 million-dollar, multi-year effort that has helped build studios, expand local journalism, enhance programming, and create outreach events South Dakotans trust and enjoy.
The financial support already received has directly strengthened SDPB’s capacity to tell more stories and reach more South Dakotans, whether we are scrolling news on our phones or watching PBSKids on antenna TV.
Now we need you as we enter the final phase of the campaign, and your gift can be matched!
Help us build community one story at a time.
SDPB’s Mission is You.
For nearly a century, SDPB has been a part of the landscape of South Dakota. As a supporter of the Friends of SDPB organization, you helped us build a community, one story at a time.
Now we look to the future. SDPB has charted a sound vision for the future, building on excellent programming while embracing evolving technology. You can join us to help make this future a reality through the SDPB Sound Vision Campaign.
The Sound Vision Campaign began by enhancing our broadcast facilities and created spaces where we can engage with the public on a more personal level. The campaign then evolved to fund the staff and production resources necessary to expand local news, create entertainment programs, and reimagine educational services.
“Whenever history happens in our state SDPB documents it, that has value. People will go back, see, and remember. We have to document it now while it’s happening. I appreciate that public broadcasting is doing that. I’m happy when our donations are going to support that.”
- Bob & Linda Meyer, Spearfish
Sound Vision Co-Chairs
SDPB is South Dakota’s Storyteller.
You turn to us to present the stories of South Dakota. We understand that you want to learn about your neighbors, communities, and the rich traditions of South Dakota.
SDPB’s audience expect us to be storytellers. Through the years, SDPB has produced historically themed documentaries under the title Images of the Past and spanned topics from South Dakota’s participation in the Space Age, the Women’s Suffrage Movement, to the history of Custer State Park.
SDPB has produced additional local documentaries including Temples of Justice, a history of courthouses, Leaving Redfield, an important look at the history behind care of people with intellectual disabilities, Deadwood Pioneer: A Face from the Past, a forensic look at remains found in Deadwood, among many others. Red Bow, a film about Lakota musician Buddy Red Bow, won the 2020 national Edward R. Murrow Award for Outstanding Achievement in News Documentary.
These are the Stories of South Dakota.
SDPB is Proud to Tell Them.
“I felt if I was using it, I wanted to support it, and just a dollar day – for all the services, children’s programming, high school activities programming, top-of-the-line entertainment, not having to listen to commercials – was worth the value to me.”
- Mary DeJong & Tate Profilet,
Sioux Falls
Sound Vision Co-Chairs
SDPB Keeps South Dakota Informed.
The SDPB Sound Vision Campaign has transformed your public broadcasting network since the campaign began in 2017. This private investment in SDPB has allowed us to elevate our vision for the future.
SDPB has created new studios with event spaces in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, and new recording studios in Brookings, Aberdeen, Pine Ridge and Spearfish. These facilities have improved the programs that you see and hear over the air by allowing for better access for guests.
SDPB is working to close the Journalism Gap across rural South Dakota. As local media companies continue their path to consolidation, SDPB has expanded by hiring additional reporting staff and contract reporters. All are focused on bringing you news that is more timely and relevant.
Our two hallmark television shows, Dakota Life and South Dakota Focus were reformatted with the same intent – to be more relevant and timely.
SDPB Educates People of All Ages.
SDPB created Early Learning Initiative (ELI) in 2020. The ELI program has a simple straightforward goal: To ensure that every child in South Dakota begins kindergarten ready-to-learn. This outreach-based service provides childcare centers and homes free tools and learning opportunities in communities where learners are.
More than 60 percent of children in South Dakota do not attend preschool. In many cases, SDPB and PBS Kids are the only educational resource some children have. With 50 years of trusted educational programming and resources, PBS and SDPB have educated children with high-quality programs based on proven child development themes.
SDPB is poised to connect those resources to those with needs. Today we connect with our youngest learners on television, through web-based learning, via mobile apps, and even through text messages specific to the age of your child.
“We watched Sesame Street and it was wonderful. If only the world could be a better place like Sesame Street! We have 11 grandchildren. Some of them are young and I send the information to their parents. It’s a whole new generation, and I’m excited there are programs to support kids, especially all SDPB’s doing to help them learn online and during these difficult times.”
- Andy & Barb Knight, Rapid City
Sound Vision Co-Chairs
SDPB’s ability to be the feet-on-the-ground source of information is vital. We are generating stories and news specific to your life. We are involved in the communities we serve, understanding that South Dakota is more than three big dots on the map.
The leadership phase of the Sound Vision Campaign has raised over $11.5 million towards the $13 million goal. The campaign goal is broken down in three parts:
• $1 million for facility upgrades
• $2 million to expand the reporting team and develop new
programs
• $10 million for our endowment.
Now We are Asking You to Help Meet Our Goal by Making a Matching Gift.
Your gift will inspire your neighbors and colleagues to join you in giving to the Sound Vision Campaign. And because of the generosity of a group of SDPB donors, the first $100,000 in gifts towards the public phase of Sound Vision will be matched! Please do not miss this unique opportunity to help SDPB build community not one, but now two stories at a time and double the impact your gift makes.
Please help us “Build Community One Story at a Time.”
To make a matching gift supporting the Sound Vision Campaign, visit: SDPB.org/SoundVision or use the envelope in this magazine. To make a multi-year pledge, please contact the Friends Development team by phone at 800-333-0789 or by email at [email protected]