The South Dakota Humanities Council's mission is to celebrate literature, promote civil conversation, and tell the stories that define South Dakota. It aims to lead statewide humanities advocacy, working with partners to foster literary and civic engagement, expanding the community of readers and writers, engaging communities in discussions about cultural and historical landscapes, and diversifying revenue sources.
The South Dakota Humanities Council Grant Program offers up to $85,000 annually across three grant categories: Discussion, Media, and Research. These grants are designed to advance the Council's mission and promote the humanities in American public life, covering a wide range of humanities fields including language, literature, history, philosophy, and more. Additionally, the program supports initiatives like the Speakers Bureau visits, Book Club to Go, and One Book South Dakota discussions, aiming to enrich public understanding and appreciation of the humanities across South Dakota.