Sturgis Rally attendees, celebrities and big-hearted people from all around the globe raised over $784,000 through Sturgis Buffalo Chip charity events in 2025, pushing the total amount raised to over $3.6 million since 2007. The generosity these people showed will benefit charities in the Black Hills of South Dakota and beyond. Their impact will be felt and seen for years to come. The Chip and its charity partners are planning to do the same, only bigger, for 2026. Learn more about the Buffalo Chip’s charitable endeavors here.
“’Blown away’ is an understatement, but ‘surprised’ is not accurate to say either. After many years, this extreme selflessness is what we’ve come to expect from all the wonderful people who come to the rally and give their hard-earned money to support charities in our area,” said Sturgis Buffalo Chip CEO Rod Woodruff. “It’s no surprise anymore. This is who they are. They are givers. They are generous. And we are forever grateful.”
The Buffalo Chip’s Rusty Wallace Ride led the pack this year donating nearly half a million dollars to The NASCAR Foundation and Special Olympics South Dakota. Buffalo Chip charity events in 2025 included the Rusty Wallace Ride, Legends Ride® Presented by Progressive, Biker Belles®, Heroes Honor Ride, Buffalo Chip Freedom Celebration and Flying Piston Breakfast. All these events are returning for Rally, Aug. 7-15, 2026.
Charitable organizations benefitted in 2025 include Special Olympics South Dakota, Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame, Naja Shriners Children’s Transportation Fund, All Kids Bike, Helping with Horsepower, The Jessi Combs Foundation, Real Deal Revolution, The NASCAR Foundation, direct-to-veteran donations through the Freedom Celebration & Heroes Honor Ride, and Children’s Miracle Network though Monument Health’s Golden Guitar Gala.
Funds raised through Buffalo Chip charity events are currently at work in the Black Hills in a big and noticeable way. In 2023, ground was broken on a Bocce Ball complex in Rapid City, SD for Special Olympians and the local community to use. Legends Ride and Rusty Wallace Ride participants were instrumental in making this project happen. The complex was welcomed so warmly by the athletes and the community that it was expanded in 2025.
On September 19, 2025, Rapid City hosted the South Dakota Special Olympics State Bocce Ball Tournament. Hundreds of athletes and volunteers from around the state gathered at the newly expanded Bocce Ball Complex. The day was marked with smiles, laughter, friendly competition and a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun, Rod Woodruff and other dignitaries. More improvements are planned to the Bocce Ball Complex, and the Sturgis Buffalo Chip has pledged to help fund it until it’s fully paid for.
“The new bocce complex in Rapid City is a testament to what we can all build together,” said Woodruff. “When you donate or take part in a Buffalo Chip charity event, your money doesn’t just go into a general fund to rot away, it makes a noticeable difference in the community.”
Registration for 2026 Buffalo Chip charity rides is now open with limited special perks available for the first people to sign up. Learn more and sign up for a charity event at BuffaloChip.com.
For the 2026 event, Buffalo Chip guests can experience concerts, charity rides, events, a freedom celebration, custom bike shows, stunts, women’s events, racing and more. The festival runs Aug. 7-16, 2026, and the band lineup announced so far includes Lainey Wilson, David Lee Roth, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Megadeth. For a full list of Sturgis Buffalo Chip events, see BuffaloChip.com/EVENTS. The Buffalo Chip is home to the Sturgis Rally Information Center™ and is the official sponsor of Sturgis.com’s free Official Sturgis Rally Registration Program.
