City recommends eliminating funding for Multi-Cultural Center

The future of the Multi-Cultural Center in Sioux Falls is uncertain as the city’s financial support appears to be going away.

LSS of South Dakota, which operates the Multi-Cultural Center inside the historic Coliseum at 515 N. Main Ave., was notified Friday that the city was not recommending it for financial support after Dec. 31.

The center has operated as a partnership of the city, Minnehaha County and the independent nonprofit since its inception in 1996. The Multi-Cultural Center merged with LSS in 2022.

In 2025, the city paid $146,000 to support operations of the Multi-Cultural Center, which offers services such as interpreters, workforce development, parenting education, medical interpreter training, driver’s education, swimming lessons and youth programming, as well as offering a venue for community events. It also produces the annual Festival of Cultures in downtown Sioux Falls.

“The city of Sioux Falls has funded the Multi-Cultural Center for 28 years, and the sudden end of funding is a blow the program can’t absorb,” Rebecca Kiesow-Knudsen, president and CEO of LSS, said in a statement.

“While it’s possible a donor could come forward to support the program in the short term, it needs ongoing financial support to remain sustainable. Hard decisions are ahead.”

The 28th annual Festival of Cultures took place in June, “and traditionally has brought every cross-section of the community together to learn from each other and celebrate all the heritages that make Sioux Falls a welcoming and thriving city,” the organization said.

Programming has included a daylong schedule of live entertainment, a global village, local vendor booths, food trucks and kids’ activities.

“The Multi-Cultural Center strives to create a safe and accepting community where people of all cultural backgrounds are seen, heard and celebrated. It’s a significant effort in a time when building a sense of belonging is more important than ever,” Kiesow-Knudsen said.

The nonprofit put out a call for donations, which can be contributed here.

The city is changing how it funds outside organizations next year and recommended 10 for funding through its new community partners program.

City of Sioux Falls names 10 organizations for funding through new program