SPEARFISH, S.D. – Local education received a significant boost this week as Pioneer Bank & Trust announced a $5,000 donation to the Spearfish Foundation for Public Education (SFPE).

The contribution was made on behalf of the bank along with Dylan S. and Nicole M. Clarkson. The gift serves to bring a close to the annual SFPE Fund Drive, an initiative designed to identify and showcase grants and programs while generating support for the foundation.

Pioneer Bank & Trust, along with Dylan S. Clarkson, who serves as the bank’s president and CEO, and his wife Nicole are also providing the support as Super Hero level sponsors. A fourth-generation family-owned institution with a significant presence in Rapid City and across the Black Hills, has a long history of community reinvestment in South Dakota.

The SFPE is an independent non-profit organization that provides funding for educational experiences and programs that fall outside the traditional school budget. All sponsorship monies are used for funding innovative classroom programs within the Spearfish School District.

“This donation is part of a broader commitment to supporting the youth and future workforce of western South Dakota,” said Clarkson.

Pioneer Bank & Trust serves five communities at six locations in Western South Dakota with banks in Belle Fourche, Buffalo, Spearfish, Sturgis and two Rapid City locations.