STURGIS, S.D. – The City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally gives back to the region in many ways including to local non–profit organizations.
The 82nd Rally generated just over $1 million with most going to local charities.
“It’s one of the largest charitable events in the state,” said Sturgis City Manager Daniel Ainslie.
This year, the City of Sturgis was fortunate to have an anonymous match donation of $100,000 to its Sturgis Rally Endowment fund.
Also generating funds for local charities was the sale of open container cups whose proceeds totaled $51,644. City of Sturgis Sponsorship donations totaled $47,000 and a bike build generated $25,000 for charities.
Several groups host Rally breakfasts that help sustain their mission throughout the year.
Among those hosting Rally breakfasts are Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis Brown High School, the Masonic Lodge of Sturgis, Masonic Lodge of Spearfish and Hill City Senior Center. In 2022, $56,995 was raised by these organizations.
Non–profit organizations also raise funds through hosting paid parking lots in the downtown corridor of Sturgis during the Rally. In 2022, organizations earned an estimated $39,237.
The Hamsters organization through various activities of their members donated $503,000 to Lifescape Children’s Hospital in Rapid City and another $39,500 to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum.
Jack Daniel’s has long been a sponsor of the City of Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and gives back to the community in many ways. By hosting a Tasting Experience and Challenge Coin along with Sturgis Liquor customize Jack Daniel’s bottles with custom engraving, the distiller donated $13,000 to Sturgis Brown High School for scholarships, $10,000 to Sturgis Rally Charities and another $6,000 to Operation Ride Home.
In recent years, the City of Sturgis has made available fund–raising opportunities for local non–profits at the Sturgis Photo Towers. In 2022, nine different charities shared a total of $20,530. The first Sturgis Police Chief’s Ride generated $1,595 for the Sturgis and Meade County Animal Shelter and the Sturgis Police Athletic League. The Ride with a Local program helped raise $2,205 for Black Hills Trails. And the Legendary 5K race raised $3,900 for local outdoor recreation programs.
The annual Sturgis Mayor’s Ride raised $39,000 for the Sturgis Volunteer Fire Department, Sturgis Police Reserves, Sturgis Ambulance Service and the Gold Star Memorial.
The Mayor’s Pub Crawl held during Rally week, raised $1,750 for the Gold Star Memorial and the Mayor’s Poker Tournament generated $1,200 for the Gold Star Memorial.
