For the second grant cycle assignment, I developed a proposal requesting $5,000 from the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to deliver comprehensive generative AI training across Rapid City’s organizations.

Building on Black Hills Special Services Cooperative’s 2.5 years of AI education experience, our project takes a collaborative approach to strengthen the region’s collective workforce efficiency and technological literacy. The proposal highlights how even basic AI implementation can save employees 1-2 hours weekly—representing significant untapped productivity potential when multiplied across organizations. Through our proven “World Cafe” methodology and expert-led sessions featuring Dr. David DeYoung from Dakota State University, we aim to create a sustainable ecosystem of AI knowledge-sharing that crosses traditional organizational boundaries between government, business, and non-profit sectors.

My team and I at BHSSC are still determining whether we’ll actually submit this when the real grant cycle opens.

Link for Context

• Fall Capacity Building Grant Guidelines

Proposal Narrative