South Dakota Universities Launch Annual Giving Blitz
South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State compete to secure the highest number of individual donors for student-athletes.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Philanthropy
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South Dakota Mines and Black Hills State University have kicked off their second annual Black Hills Blitz fundraising challenge. The week-long contest aims to attract the highest volume of individual donors to support athletic programs.
Why it matters
All proceeds raised during the competition go directly toward essential resources for student-athletes. These donations fund critical needs including scholarships, equipment, team meals, and uniforms.
The competition includes over 300 student-athletes across 13 varsity sports programs. These athletes currently maintain a collective 3.38 GPA.
The players
South Dakota Mines
This public university located in Rapid City focuses on science and engineering programs.
Black Hills State University
This public university in the Black Hills region offers a wide array of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
The details
The schools tally participants based on the number of individual donations received, with each gift counting as one donor regardless of the amount given. The fundraising week serves as a competitive lead-up to the schools' upcoming football game at O'Harra Stadium.
Timeline
Blitz Week runs from October 11, 2026, to October 18, 2026.
The football game is scheduled for October 17, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Market Landscape
This event follows the pattern set by the 2025 inaugural Black Hills Blitz. The competition highlights the growing trend of using collegiate rivalries to drive institutional philanthropic engagement.
Community members and alumni can participate by making donations of any size during Blitz Week to support student programs. Each individual donation directly increases the total donor count for the chosen university.
The takeaway
The competition focuses on the volume of donors rather than the total dollar amount, making participation accessible to all fans. Supporting these efforts ensures student-athletes have the necessary tools to excel both in their sports and in the classroom.
Further reading
For more information on charitable efforts in the area, visit the Rapid City Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kotatv.
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