As a site for the future expansion of Children’s Inn, Children’s Home Society is in the process of purchasing approximately 3.5 acres of land from the Sioux Falls Ministry Center on East 10^th Street in Sioux Falls. Our neighbor to the west would be the Empower Campus, a “one-stop-shop” of programs and services available to those in need. 

Before the land purchase is finalized, and because our use would require a zoning change, neighborhood information meetings and public hearings will be held with the City Planning Commission. A public hearing was held May 27, 2020. There were no objections brought forward to the zoning change. The next step will be final approval by the City Planning Commission.

This building project has been made possible with an $11 million gift from T. Denny Sanford. This new facility will more than double the capacity of the existing Children’s Inn.

Before we can break ground on this construction project, our Foundation will work to raise funds for an endowment with annual earnings that will cover the increased costs of operation, estimated to be around $1 million annually. Early estimates put this fundraising endowment goal at $20 million.

Just recently, Development Director Rick Weber reached out to Denny Sanford to bring him up to date on the land purchase plan. During the course of their conversation, Mr. Sanford generously committed another $5 million to help fund the projected increased operating expenses while the Foundation works to build the long-term funding. (Way to go, Rick!)

These artist renderings give you an idea of what the new facility will look like: