Dr. Trenton Ellis

Dr. Trenton Ellis is a sociologist and educator at Black Hills State University (BHSU). As a faculty member, he specializes in experiential learning, higher education access, and community‑engaged research—areas that closely align with the Rural Philanthropy Institute’s mission to advance knowledge and practice in rural philanthropy. A lifelong resident of rural America, Dr. Ellis grounds his scholarship in deep personal and professional commitments to rural communities and the diverse people who sustain them. Through research and consultation, he has supported Black Hills nonprofits such as Artemis House – Victims of Violence Intervention Program (Spearfish), the Black Hills Area Community Foundation, and the Canton Area Heritage Center (Illinois). Dr. Ellis values an approach that is empirically grounded, community‑responsive, and actionable.

Research Focus: “Pedal-Powered Philanthropy: Data-Driven Capacity Building for Rural Trails Nonprofits”

As a 2026 RPI Research Fellow, Dr. Ellis will lead a capacity‑building effort and case study of the Spearfish Trails Coalition, a trails nonprofit dedicated to building a healthier community through sustainable trail development in rural Spearfish, South Dakota. The trail systems within and around Spearfish stretch across town and sprawl into the surrounding hills and prairie. These trails are connecting points for residents and visitors, transportation corridors, pathways to solitude, refuge for nature, and much more. Bridging his passion for cycling, and community‑focused social research, Dr. Ellis’s project will support a stakeholder survey for Spearfish Trails Coalition and contribute to our knowledge of capacity-building in rural nonprofits.