Aberdeen Area Community Foundation, Inc. was chartered as Aberdeen Area Foundation, Inc. on April 23, 1984 to receive and administer a gift from a local businessman. The particulars of that first gift are lost to history, but true to its slogan, Looking Forward. Giving Back., AACF and its many contributors remain committed to the promotion and preservation of Aberdeen and the surrounding communities. AACF endows the gifts given to it and spends only a portion of the earnings from the endowment on worthy area projects. It is the perfect mechanism for individuals, organizations, companies and others to provide for their community future as their legacy. AACF is a stand-alone 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, but also enjoys a relationship with the South Dakota Community Foundation as a Community Savings Account

The mission of Aberdeen Area Community Foundation, Inc. is to Promote the Civic, Cultural, Economic, Educational and Sociological interests of Aberdeen and the Surrounding Community.