Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) is awarding 24 area nonprofit organizations with grants totaling $99,533.61 from the Community Betterment Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, and various Field of Interest and Unrestricted funds for its March grant cycle.
The March grant cycle is the first of three grant cycles offered by WKCF each year. Next grant cycles have application deadlines of July 1 and November 1.
For the March cycle, grants are made in two categories: core requests and operating requests. Additionally, the WKCF awards urgent needs requests throughout the year.
This is the third year WKCF has offered operating grants, and the fourth year for urgent needs grants that were initially made as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The majority of grants funded by the WKCF are made possible through investment earnings on the endowed funds held with the Foundation. Like many investors, the Foundation is no stranger to the ups and downs of the investment markets,” said Stacie Hahn, WKCF’s Program and Marketing Director. “We’re fortunate to have the trust and continuous support of our donors, especially during tumultuous market times like 2022, which allows for asset growth and in turn increases the sustainability and earnings potential of the various funds that provide for WKCF grant opportunities.”
Twelve Core grants were awarded totaling $44,829. The awards are:
- Catholic Charities of SW Kansas “CCSWKS Professional Development” – $740
- Families Together “Alternatives to Decision-Making Resources” – $3,150
- Finney County Humane Society “Be Kind & Stay Safe Activity Books” – $3,000
- Garden City Arts “Art in the Park 2023” – $1,500
- Grace Place Pregnancy Care Center “Teaching ‘Prenatal Care’ & ‘First Year’ in the HS” – $520
- Great Plains MakerSpace “Pottery at GPMS” – $5,000
- Ogallala Commons “Expanding Community-Based Internships in SWKS” – $2,000
- Real Men Real Leaders “RMRL Leadership Program” – $4,330
- St. Francis Community & Family Svcs. “Keeping Families Together in SWKS” – $5,000
- Satanta Area Arts Council “Kids College” – $2,089
- USD 507, Satanta “Satanta School Supplies” – $2,500
- Western Kansas Community Foundation “Jumpstart for Non-Profits – 2023” – $15,000
Core Grants Total: $44,829
Thirteen Operating Grants were awarded totaling $49,552.16. The awards are:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fi. & Ke. Counties “Defenders of Potential Youth Mentoring” – $2,500
- Core Community Ulysses “Core Community Ulysses” – $5,000
- Grace Place Pregnancy Care Center “New Director Position” – $5,000
- Grow & Learn Childcare Center “Grow & Learn Childcare Operating Grant” – $3,250
- Kansas Children’s Service League “Head Start Quality Improvement 2023” – $5,000
- Kanza Society “High Plains Public Radio Programming for SW KS” – $5,000
- Magic’s HOPE “Funding for Community Outreach Programs” – $3,915.60
- Miles of Smiles “Skid Steer Repairs” – $4,709.24
- Real Men Real Leaders “RMRL Youth State Capitol Trip” – $2,000
- Silver Sage Renaissance Festival “Silver Sage Renaissance Festival” – $2,677.32
- The Community, Inc. “Facilitating Communications for Equity” – $6,000
- Stepping Stone Shelter “Stepping Stone Shelter 2023” – $2,000
- Tumbleweed Festival “Tumbleweed Festival 2023” – $2,500
Operating Grants Total: $49,552.16
Two Urgent Needs Grants totaling $5,152.45 were made to:
- Turning Point Church of the Nazarene “Fridgerator for Scott City” – $1,000
- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center “On the Road Again” – $4,152.45
Urgent Needs Grants Total: $5,152.45
Staff of Western Kansas Community Foundation always welcome visiting with donors or those interested in contributing to the unrestricted funds so we can help with more community projects and programs.
The next grant deadline is July 1. To learn more about the application process and grant guidelines visit the WKCF website at www.wkcf.org, call at 620-271-9484 or stop by at the office at 402 N. Main Street in downtown Garden City.
