Dealership’s immersive approach to giving lifts up local nonprofits

Jan. 15, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln.

Walk through the Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln dealerships anytime and you’ll learn about something beyond the latest and greatest vehicles.

Throughout the year, “you’ll see signage promoting interesting facts about area nonprofits that most people wouldn’t know,” dealer principal Ed Bloom said.

“When we support a specific nonprofit organization, beyond our giving our goal is to create awareness among employees, customers and the rest of the community.”

The culture of Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln is resolute in giving without seeking recognition, and it has been that way for decades.

“When I started in the family business nearly 20 years ago, my father-in-law was a huge advocate for supporting the community,” Bloom said. “It’s one of our seven core business values that states: ‘We give willingly to and are actively involved in the support of our communities because they provide us our success.’”

Throughout the year, the dealership selects different Community Partners and supports those nonprofits through a variety of activities. To begin 2025, the South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation and the Sioux Falls Outdoor Campus expansion project were selected.

“Many of our employees have used the Outdoor Campus for various activities, and we were thrilled to learn that the expansion would benefit kids and adults alike,” Bloom said.

In April, a second initiative was launched to recognize teachers throughout the local community. It included Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

“We wanted to draw attention to the importance of teachers and recognize some top educators in the area. We awarded five teachers each with $5,000 checks,” Bloom said.

“In addition, we provided five teachers each with $1,000 for school supplies in their classrooms.”

During the summer months, the dealership highlighted one nonprofit organization per week for six weeks, honoring veterans and first responders with $5,000 per organization.

“It was tough to narrow the list down to only six, but we ended up sponsoring Warriors Never Give Up, South Dakota Salutes, Midwest Honor Flight, Disabled American Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Folds of Honor,” Bloom said.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so the dealership decided to do something special to help women recovering from their mastectomy surgeries.

“The engineers at Ford Motor Co. recently developed and produced the SupportBelt, which is specifically designed to safely aid women while driving their vehicles without compromising their safety,” Bloom said.

“I contacted Avera and Sanford and asked them how many mastectomies are performed each year. We ended up donating 450 SupportBelts for their patients. During the Avera presentation, I met one of the doctors and a lady who was recovering from her surgery. It was very rewarding to hear her story firsthand and how these relatively simple devices will change women’s lives for the better.”

To end the year, Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln delivered another successful fundraising campaign for Sioux Empire United Way, raising almost $80,000 in employee contributions in support of more than 60 community organizations.

“We like to have a lot of fun throughout December with our fundraising efforts. We have a group of terrific employee volunteers who plan and organize luncheons, chili cookoffs, the largest charcuterie board you’ve ever seen, prize giveaways and much more,” Bloom said. “This year, one lucky employee who donated to the SEUW received front-row seats to the upcoming Eric Church concert in February.”

Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln also regularly supports other nonprofits, including The Avera Race Against Cancer, which received a new convertible Ford Mustang last year, “and it looks incredible with the Avera wrap on the exterior,” Bloom said. “We’re super-proud to be a long-time sponsor for such a great cause.”

Additionally, the dealership was a presenting sponsor of the 29th annual Christmas at the Cathedral.

“The performance is always incredible, and the money raised goes to a great cause to support the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House and the Cathedral,” Bloom said.

Looking ahead, 2026 also is going to be an exciting year for giving, “with some areas we haven’t impacted for quite some time,” Bloom said. “I’m kind of biased, but I think Ford dealerships are some of the most giving businesses in the automotive industry.”

This month, Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln is partnering with Ford Motor Co.’s global campaign to shine a light on community heroes.

The dealership plans to host a party for 40 nurses at its new Lincoln store, with hors d’oeuvres, beverages and the chance to socialize and craft.

Additionally, any private or public health care organization in the Sioux Falls area can nominate a nurse or caregiver throughout January and February. Ten will be chosen in March to receive $2,000 each.

“Later this year, we have plans to help law enforcement families through Folds of Honor and Concerns of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S,” Bloom said.

“Food insecurity is a huge issue nationwide, so we’ll partner with Ford Motor Co. again later in the year to support the ‘Global Caring Month’ and do our best to impact a lot of people.”

Team members also are encouraged to volunteer for any nonprofits they’re passionate about helping.

“For instance, we have quite a few veterans working at the store, and they enjoy representing Sioux Falls Ford Lincoln at golf tournaments and banquet events that help our military veterans,” Bloom said. “Our employee community committee does a great job brainstorming charitable giving ideas based on the feedback they receive from other employees.”

The effort even was recognized nationally in 2025 with the Ford Salute to Dealers award for its community involvement — one of six globally to be honored because they exemplify the positive impact dealerships can have on the lives of others.

“It was a special moment,” Bloom said. “My family knows giving back to the community is the right thing to do, so we’re going to continue doing so for many years to come.”

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