Before she became co-founder of a nonprofit dedicated to serving children through providing access to play, Anelis Coscioni had plenty of experience caring for animals as a veterinarian but not much familiarity with running a nonprofit.
But after learning about unmet needs in the community, she followed a path that led her to help create one.
“There are many families without toys to help kids learn, so a group of volunteers decided to start it,” she said.
For eight years, she ran the organization without pay, offering curated boxes of educational toys for children from birth through age 5 to borrow.
“We considering applying for funding through Sioux Empire United Way, but we were 100 percent volunteer and barely had time for anything extra,” Coscioni said. “This past year was the first we applied, and now we are a funded nonprofit.”
The application process itself was “very exciting, but super-detailed,” she said.
“It was a lot of hard work, but just applying to be funded we learned so much. We learned about internal controls and other things I’d never been exposed to as a veterinarian. I’m always asking what we can do better, and it’s different having this kind of feedback.”
The Toy Lending Library falls among the three major categories of programs funded by Sioux Empire United Way: children, vulnerable adults and people in crisis.
“When I think about the Toy Lending Library, what stands out is their passion,” said Christina Riss, chief operating officer for Sioux Empire United Way.
“It’s a need you wouldn’t necessarily think about, but there are so many things children learn from books and toys, and they don’t learn that if they don’t have access.”
With guidance from Sioux Empire United Way volunteers and staff, Toy Lending Library began making operational changes along with receiving funding.
“I was very good about finding partners and expanding for free, but United Way helped me realize that to be sustainable there needs to be a cost to work with us,” Coscioni said. “There’s a cost to provide the quality that we do, from the toys themselves to the process to clean them and ensure safety, so this was very important feedback.”
Thanks to Sioux Empire United Way funding, Toy Lending Library now has two paid part-time positions, including Coscioni’s.
“That’s so important because I always said I didn’t want the organization to stop because I wasn’t here,” she said. “We’re doing good and making a difference, and the funding is giving us peace of mind while allowing us to grow.”
In its first year, Toy Lending Library checked out or renewed 251 boxes. Last year, the number totaled 7,897 boxes, and this year it’s already close to 8,000, with an average of more than 800 per month. Boxes can be borrowed through partnerships in 23 locations throughout eastern South Dakota, mostly libraries, and directly from 401 S. Spring Ave.
Each box includes at least one toy and book, plus materials for caregivers on areas such as child development and how to access needed resources.
“For us, it’s an honor to receive United Way funding because we are so small, so for them to say we’re doing it the right way, we’re following the mission and using funds the right way is so big for us,” Coscioni said.
From Sioux Empire United Way’s perspective, “this is an example of a program where without our funding, the future of that organization could be in question, so we’re glad we’re able to support it,” Riss said.
Toy Lending Library will be applying for funding for 2026, and Coscioni encourages other programs to do the same.
“Everyone who works at United Way is amazing. They’re so incredible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. I asked so many, and they were always there to support me – that’s the feeling I have from everyone I talk to there is that they really care about the nonprofits they support,” she said.
“It makes a huge difference. We are a much better organization just because we applied.”
Applications for funding in 2026 open Friday, Dec. 13, and are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 22, 2025.
Nonprofits considering applying “should be able to detail who they serve and how they have positively impacted lives,” Riss said.
“And then the key piece is talking through the financial picture, showing the need and what a specific outcome looks like. We want to be confident as we’re making decisions that funding is going to address a need through a program that is well run, efficient and effective.”
Nonprofits interested in learning more about applying for funding can contact Riss 605-336-2095.
To learn more about how to give to this year’s Sioux Empire United Way campaign, click here.