The Earl Bane Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Salina, KS, supporting civic and educational institutions with large, targeted gifts. Recent grants show priority for community infrastructure (library renovation), early childhood services delivered through the local United Way, and higher education scholarships at Bethany College. A single very large disbursement described as 'See Attached Listing' suggests the foundation also makes major one-time transfers or institutional fulfillment payments beyond routine program grants.
A single 2025 disbursement labeled "Fulfillment of Articles of Incorporation" accounts for the largest grant in the Earl Bane Foundation’s recent record, signaling that the foundation sometimes makes major institutional transfers alongside its regular community grants. Most of its giving stays close to Saline County, with repeated support for Salina organizations tied to education, childcare, housing stability, and local facilities. The foundation’s pattern includes sizeable gifts to the Salina Public Library for renovation, to Salina Area United Way for an early childcare initiative, and to Bethany College for the Good Life Scholarship. Those awards sit alongside other local commitments that touch after-school mentoring, emergency shelter, and workforce-oriented higher education. The overall picture is of a place-based funder that backs both capital needs and operating programs, often through targeted grants to established community institutions. Its active programs also reinforce that local orientation: Community Improvement Grants serve organizations working to benefit Saline County, and Earl Bane Scholarships support graduating seniors from the county who plan to attend college in Kansas.
Education shows up across multiple stages. Earl Bane Foundation gave $150,000 to Bethany College for the Good Life Scholarship in 2024, and repeated the same purpose with $75,000 grants in both 2023 and 2024. At the K-12 and career-training level, it awarded $50,000 to Cloud County Community College for student learning equipment for a tech ed and innovation center. Early childhood is another clear priority: Salina Area United Way received $200,000 in 2024 for the Early Childcare Initiative Program and $50,000 in 2023 for the Early Childhood Program Fund. Community services are also part of the mix, including $50,000 to Salina Rescue Mission for guest employee program support and staffing, and $54,000 to Caps for CASA training and supervision.
Typical awards are small to mid-sized, with a p25 of $2,500, a median of $5,000, and a p75 of $10,000, even though the recent file also includes larger institutional gifts. The foundation appears to be both grantmaking and fulfillment-oriented: one 2025 payment is described as fulfillment of articles of incorporation. It also shows repeat support over multiple years, including recurring awards to the same organizations and scholarship line items. Earl Bane Foundation accepts unsolicited applications for both of its active programs, including Community Improvement Grants and Earl Bane Scholarships.
$1.8M
$12.4M
$4.2M
$2M
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Highly concentrated, small portfolio: only four grants totaling nearly $2.4M with a single very large payment (~77% of total). Funding is place-based (Salina), directed to established local institutions rather than many small, diversified grantees.
Notable grantees: See Attached Listing (major institutional disbursement), Salina Public Library, Salina Area United Way, Bethany College
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Kansas-based and especially concentrated in Saline County. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, and 99% of grants go to recipients in Kansas. Salina is the main city in the recent grants list, with additional awards reaching Lindsborg, Junction City, and Brookville. The foundation’s active programs also point to Saline County eligibility, while the broader giving pattern remains local rather than multi-state or international.
The recent grants show support for libraries, United Way, colleges, rescue services, child care, CASA programs, arts groups, and youth sports. Active programs also focus on organizations that improve Saline County through educational, economic, scientific, or religious benefits.
Yes. Both active programs listed for the foundation accept unsolicited applications: Community Improvement Grants and Earl Bane Scholarships.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile.
Yes. Bethany College received Good Life Scholarship awards in 2023 and 2024, Salina Area United Way received early childhood funding in both years, and several other organizations appear more than once in the recent grants list.
The scholarships are renewable awards for graduating high school seniors from Saline County, Kansas who plan to attend a college in Kansas.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| See Attached Listing | Saline County, KS | $1,846,600 | 2025 | Fulfillment of Articles of Incorporation |
| SALINA AREA UNITED WAY | SALINA, KS | $200,000 | 2024 | EARLY CHILDCARE INITIATIVE PROGRAM |
| BETHANY COLLEGE | LINDSBORG, KS | $150,000 | 2024 | GOOD LIFE SCHOLARSHIP |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS | SALINA, KS | $100,000 | 2024 | MAINTENANCE PROJECTS & THE BIG LIFT |
| CENTRAL KANSAS FLYWHEELS | SALINA, KS | $93,400 | 2024 | LIGHTING & GUTTERING; POWER 7 LIGHTING IN AG & MORTON BUILDINGS |
| BETHANY COLLEGE | LINDSBORG, KS | $75,000 | 2024 | GOOD LIFE SCHOLARSHIP |
| SALINA GRACE FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $60,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES & NEW BUILDING RENOVATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF THE RIVER FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $59,000 | 2024 | CLEAN-UPS & SMOKY HILL RIVER TRAIL AROUND YMCA |
| CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | JUNCTION CITY, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | STUDENT LEARNING EQUIPMENT FOR TECH ED AND INNOVATION CENTER |
| SALINA RESCUE MISSION | SALINA, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | STAFFING |
| KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | SALINA, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | NURSING PROGRAM/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | SALINA, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | NURSING PROGRAM/SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SALINA RESCUE MISSION | SALINA, KS | $50,000 | 2024 | GUEST EMPLOYEE PROGRAM |
| KANSAS YOUTH SPORTS | SALINA, KS | $40,000 | 2024 | 250 FOOTBALL HELMETS |
| CAPS | SALINA, KS | $40,000 | 2024 | CASA TRAINING & SUPERVISION |
| THEATRE SALINA | SALINA, KS | $30,000 | 2024 | REDUCE ELECTRICAL FOOTPRINT |
| GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $30,000 | 2024 | BROOKVILLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND |
| SALINA ART CENTER | SALINA, KS | $27,500 | 2024 | GALLERY LIGHTING & FLOORING; CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIONAL AMBUCS INC NOON NETWORK CHAPTER | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | SKYFIRE 2021 & 2022 |
| SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | PRE-WORKSHOPS, GAME STREET, ENTRANCE ART, VOLUNTEER RETENTION, WASTE RECEPTACLES |
| SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | 2024 PROJECTS |
| KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | SOUND & LIGHTING SAMS CHAPEL |
| SALINA CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| CAPS | SALINA, KS | $25,000 | 2024 | CASA PROGRAM |
| GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $22,500 | 2024 | YOUTH BASEBALL FUND, BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR, AND SALINA NET GENERATION |
| ROLLING HILLS ZOO | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | STREAMLINE TICKETING & GIFT SHOP EXPANSION |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT |
| SALINA GRACE FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | WINTER SHELTER |
| SALINA CROSSROADS MARATHON | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | 2024 SPONSORSHIP |
| CENTRAL KANSAS FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | WOMEN'S BRIDGEHOUSE PROGRAM |
| BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS | SALINA, KS | $20,000 | 2024 | MENTORING PROGRAMS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS |
| SALINA ART CENTER | SALINA, KS | $15,000 | 2024 | PROGRAMMING |
| KSDS ASSISTANCE DOGS INC | WASHINGTON, KS | $15,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS | LAWRENCE, KS | $15,000 | 2024 | FUNDING FOR USD 305 SCHOOLS |
| SMOKY HILL MUSEUM | SALINA, KS | $13,000 | 2024 | PROFFESSIONAL ILLUSTRATOR, MICROFILM SCANNER & MONITOR |
| SALINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES | SALINA, KS | $11,000 | 2024 | MEALS ON WHEELS; DRIVE THRU, TUCKPOINTING, WINDOWS, & OUTBUILDING |
| USD 305 | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | MICRO-SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| FRIENDS OF THE RIVER FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | CLEAN-UP EVENTS |
| KANSAS DENTAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | TOPEKA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | KMOM SALINA 2024 |
| LOVE CHLOE FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | WARRIOR WAGONS & MONKEY IN MY CHAIR |
| KSDS ASSISTANCE DOGS INC | WASHINGTON, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL EXPENSES |
| SALINA COMMUNITY THEATRE | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | SPRUNG FLOORING FOR REHEARSAL SPACE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WICHITA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | SALINE COUNTY BLOOD DRIVES |
| ACCESS FOUNDATION OF KANSAS | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | MORE THAN YOU THINK SCHOLARSHIP |
| EMERGENCY AID FOOD BANK | SALINA, KS | $10,000 | 2024 | SAFE ROUTES TO FOOD INITIATIVE |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WICHITA, KS | $7,800 | 2024 | TWO SALINA BLOOD DRIVES |
| SMOKY HILLS PUBLIC TELEVISION | BUNKER HILL, KS | $6,000 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING & HEAD START BOOKS |
| SMOKY HILLS PUBLIC TELEVISION | BUNKER HILL, KS | $6,000 | 2024 | CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING & HEAD START BOOKS |
| USD 307 | BROOKVILLE, KS | $5,500 | 2024 | ELL-SALINE BPA STUDENTS TO NATIONALS 2022 |
| SALINA EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SALINA, KS | $5,500 | 2024 | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP |
See Attached Listing
$1,846,600Fulfillment of Articles of Incorporation
SALINA AREA UNITED WAY
$200,000EARLY CHILDCARE INITIATIVE PROGRAM
BETHANY COLLEGE
$150,000GOOD LIFE SCHOLARSHIP
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS
$100,000MAINTENANCE PROJECTS & THE BIG LIFT
CENTRAL KANSAS FLYWHEELS
$93,400LIGHTING & GUTTERING; POWER 7 LIGHTING IN AG & MORTON BUILDINGS
BETHANY COLLEGE
$75,000GOOD LIFE SCHOLARSHIP
SALINA GRACE FOUNDATION
$60,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES & NEW BUILDING RENOVATIONS
FRIENDS OF THE RIVER FOUNDATION
$59,000CLEAN-UPS & SMOKY HILL RIVER TRAIL AROUND YMCA
CLOUD COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$50,000STUDENT LEARNING EQUIPMENT FOR TECH ED AND INNOVATION CENTER
SALINA RESCUE MISSION
$50,000STAFFING
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
$50,000NURSING PROGRAM/SCHOLARSHIPS
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
$50,000NURSING PROGRAM/SCHOLARSHIPS
SALINA RESCUE MISSION
$50,000GUEST EMPLOYEE PROGRAM
KANSAS YOUTH SPORTS
$40,000250 FOOTBALL HELMETS
CAPS
$40,000CASA TRAINING & SUPERVISION
THEATRE SALINA
$30,000REDUCE ELECTRICAL FOOTPRINT
GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$30,000BROOKVILLE COMMUNITY PLAYGROUND
SALINA ART CENTER
$27,500GALLERY LIGHTING & FLOORING; CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NATIONAL AMBUCS INC NOON NETWORK CHAPTER
$25,000SKYFIRE 2021 & 2022
SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL
$25,000PRE-WORKSHOPS, GAME STREET, ENTRANCE ART, VOLUNTEER RETENTION, WASTE RECEPTACLES
SMOKY HILL RIVER FESTIVAL
$25,0002024 PROJECTS
KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
$25,000SOUND & LIGHTING SAMS CHAPEL
SALINA CHILD CARE ASSOCIATION
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
CAPS
$25,000CASA PROGRAM
GREATER SALINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$22,500YOUTH BASEBALL FUND, BACK TO SCHOOL FAIR, AND SALINA NET GENERATION
ROLLING HILLS ZOO
$20,000STREAMLINE TICKETING & GIFT SHOP EXPANSION
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS
$20,000CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT
SALINA GRACE FOUNDATION
$20,000WINTER SHELTER
SALINA CROSSROADS MARATHON
$20,0002024 SPONSORSHIP
CENTRAL KANSAS FOUNDATION
$20,000WOMEN'S BRIDGEHOUSE PROGRAM
BIG BROTHERSBIG SISTERS
$20,000MENTORING PROGRAMS AND BACKGROUND CHECKS
SALINA ART CENTER
$15,000PROGRAMMING
KSDS ASSISTANCE DOGS INC
$15,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS
$15,000FUNDING FOR USD 305 SCHOOLS
SMOKY HILL MUSEUM
$13,000PROFFESSIONAL ILLUSTRATOR, MICROFILM SCANNER & MONITOR
SALINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SENIOR SERVICES
$11,000MEALS ON WHEELS; DRIVE THRU, TUCKPOINTING, WINDOWS, & OUTBUILDING
USD 305
$10,000MICRO-SCHOLARSHIP FUND
FRIENDS OF THE RIVER FOUNDATION
$10,000CLEAN-UP EVENTS
KANSAS DENTAL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000KMOM SALINA 2024
LOVE CHLOE FOUNDATION
$10,000WARRIOR WAGONS & MONKEY IN MY CHAIR
KSDS ASSISTANCE DOGS INC
$10,000OPERATIONAL EXPENSES
SALINA COMMUNITY THEATRE
$10,000SPRUNG FLOORING FOR REHEARSAL SPACE
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$10,000SALINE COUNTY BLOOD DRIVES
ACCESS FOUNDATION OF KANSAS
$10,000MORE THAN YOU THINK SCHOLARSHIP
EMERGENCY AID FOOD BANK
$10,000SAFE ROUTES TO FOOD INITIATIVE
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$7,800TWO SALINA BLOOD DRIVES
SMOKY HILLS PUBLIC TELEVISION
$6,000CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING & HEAD START BOOKS
SMOKY HILLS PUBLIC TELEVISION
$6,000CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING & HEAD START BOOKS
USD 307
$5,500ELL-SALINE BPA STUDENTS TO NATIONALS 2022
SALINA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,500PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Current and upcoming funding from Earl Bane Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible requests are considered from nonprofit organizations and local governments providing educational, economic, scientific, or religious benefits to Salina and Saline County. Nonprofit recipients must provide proof of 501(c)(3) status.
Deadline: Quarterly deadlines: March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
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