LifeScape surpasses Community Appeals fundraising goal

LifeScape is providing a solid future for the region’s children with complex medical needs with their $98 million Journey of Hope campaign. In July, they wrapped up the Chamber Community Appeals portion of the campaign, surpassing their $1.8 million goal by raising $2.2 million.

“The Community Appeals campaign was successful because the Sioux Falls community has a culture of giving and taking care of each other,” said LifeScape Foundation President Jessica Wells. “The business community understands they play an important role in enriching the quality of life in Sioux Falls for their workers and customers.”

The Journey of Hope campaign, now, just $3 million from completion, will support a new children’s services campus in northwest Sioux Falls which will include the Pediatric Rehabilitation Specialty Hospital, a Specialty School, residential space, and critical therapy areas, all designed to meet the growing needs of the area’s children. The funds raised through the Chamber Community Appeals campaign will be used for a playground for the new facility.

“Once again, the Sioux Falls business community stepped up to meet a need in our community,” said Chamber Community Appeals Co-Chair Jason Herrboldt, First Bank & Trust. “LifeScape is an organization that serves the most vulnerable in our community, and the success of the Journey of Hope campaign will help to ensure that those individuals are served for generations to come.”

A total of 69 dedicated volunteers played a critical role by inviting Chamber members to participate with a financial gift. Their passion and commitment, combined with the leadership of community figures like Herrboldt, Dave Rozenboom and Jay Soukup, were instrumental in surpassing the fundraising goals. The culture of giving in Sioux Falls played a significant role, with many people either directly or indirectly connected to LifeScape’s mission.

“Thanks to the collective efforts of our volunteer campaign team and the strong financial support from the Sioux Falls business community, we exceeded our goal and are now able to fund the entire ‘wish list’ for the playground, and more,” said Chamber Community Appeals Co-Chair Dave Rozenboom, First PREMIER Bank. “For over 70 years, LifeScape has had an incredible impact in the lives of so many children and families, so it is has been a privilege to help equip them to carry on their mission for the next generations at the new Children’s Services Campus.”

The playground, initially planned to feature accessible swings and shaded pathways, now includes enhanced elements like shaded swings, an in-ground trampoline, a water splash area and musical play zones—features that will provide a place to heal, grow, and play for over 400 children who are served daily at LifeScape. The project broke ground in April 2024 and is expected to be completed by Fall 2026. The state-of-the-art playground is constructed in a courtyard setting to provide safety without fencing and is uniquely designed for children with challenging behaviors and complex medical needs.

“The people of Sioux Falls have stepped forward in a big way, bringing LifeScape to the next level of care for those with the greatest need,” said Chamber Community Appeals Co-Chair Jay Soukup, Stifel Group. “The Journey of Hope campaign has enabled LifeScape to become a bigger part of the fabric of Sioux Falls, making it a destination for world-class care.”

As one of the largest employers in the area, LifeScape’s expansion helps attract new talent to the region, reassuring families that the support they need will be available. The project strengthens the healthcare network by complementing the services provided by the major health systems in Sioux Falls, creating a stronger safety net for the entire community.

In many ways, the Chamber Community Appeals process gave this project credibility and exposure, fostering connections with business leaders who may not have been familiar with LifeScape’s mission. The success of the Journey of Hope campaign is not just about bricks and mortar—it’s a commitment to future generations of children in our community and beyond.