Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is home to the Oglala Sioux Tribe with an estimated population of close to 40,000. The reservation is large, and its needs immense, commensurate with grinding poverty. Unemployment is over 80%, the weather is extreme, and families struggle mightily with crushing financial, housing, health, educational and social issues.
Since it is impossible to provide assistance to individual families on the reservation from a distance and do it equitably, the Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation website focuses on specific needs of the many schools and social service organizations physically located on the reservation.
These schools and organizations, many understaffed and underfunded, struggle in turn to serve thousands of families in dire need. Please do not underestimate the importance of a small donation. Your contribution, sent directly to a reservation organization – even if only a single pair of socks for a child who has none – makes a huge impact when combined with many others.
The reservation organizations’ needs are many and change constantly so your donations can take many forms, from school, sewing, crafts, sporting, baby, and office supplies, to toiletries, clothing, Christmas gifts, holiday items, bed, bath and kitchen linens, cold weather gear, crayons and more.
As you look through these pages you’ll find specific needs and where to send them. Please note none of your donations are ever directed to third-party charities; everything you send will go directly to the organization on Pine Ridge Reservation that needs your help.
Dire poverty makes for a harsh existence but you can help by providing needed resources and at the same time donating in ways that help preserve and support the Lakota culture, with the utmost respect for the dignity of our neighbors on Pine Ridge Reservation.
Please be extremely mindful of the condition of the items you donate, and whenever possible, send new items. For some organizations and specific donation drives, gently used items are acceptable, please read posted information carefully for guidelines as to the types of items each organization can accept.
Please browse through our Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation website and return often as it is updated daily and don’t forget to check the FoPRR blog or Twitter page for special updates, announcements, and news.
Thank you so much for joining the effort to lend a helping hand to our neighbors on Pine Ridge Reservation!
Pleae note: Since 2015 FoPRR has also been supporting a school on the Navajo Nation so some of the donation drives you’ll see on this site are directed to the children and elders in that community.
If you've received a phone call soliciting donations for "Pine Ridge Reservation" please consider it a scam and do not provide any credit card information.