Our mission is to empower our donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation’s largest recent grant was a $14,866,842 award to Bird City Century II Development Foundation in Bird City. That scale sets the tone for a funder that works through community foundations, schools, local governments, and regional nonprofit partners across northwest Kansas. The grant record shows repeated support for public institutions and place-based organizations, including sizeable awards to USD #407 Russell County, Logan Community Development Foundation Inc, and USD #294 Decatur Community Schools. The foundation’s giving aligns with its stated mission to empower donors, affiliates, and charitable partners through education, stewardship, and regional collaboration. Its active programs include scholarships for local students, county-specific community grants, and a memorial fund focused on leadership development and the betterment of rural life in Wallace County and the surrounding area. That mix points to a funder that combines donor-advised and affiliate-style philanthropy with direct support for local priorities. Recent grants also reach education, health care, recreation, arts, and community development, reflecting a broad public-benefit approach centered on northwest Kansas communities.
Education is a recurring channel for the foundation’s giving. Examples include $342,066 to USD #407 Russell County for education in 2024 and $149,428 to USD #294 Decatur Community Schools in 2025. Scholarships are also an active program for postsecondary education and career and technical education across northwest Kansas, Cheyenne County, and Decatur County. Community development appears in both county-focused programs and larger operating support. The foundation gave $152,405 to Logan Community Development Foundation Inc in 2025 and $67,725 to Decatur Area Development Fund in 2023, both tied to community improvement. Public and societal benefit organizations also appear often, including $151,000 to Russell Development Inc in 2024 and $71,864 to the City of Oberlin in 2023. The grant list also includes health care and recreation. In 2025, West Central Kansas Association Inc received $107,577 for health care, and Russell Recreation Commission received $44,955 for recreation and sport.
$2.2M
$94.6M
$25.5M
$5.8M
Most grants fall between $8K and $20K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$20K
DARCI SCHIELDS
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Typical grant size sits at $8,190 at the 25th percentile, $11,250 at the median, and $19,620 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes several much larger awards, showing a structure that can support both routine community grants and major affiliate or institutional transfers. Recipients recur across multiple years: USD #407 Russell County appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Logan Community Development Foundation Inc appears in 2024 and 2025; and Phillips County Community Foundation Inc appears in 2024 and 2025. The foundation funds through community grant programs, scholarships, and a memorial fund, and the grants page shows unsolicited applications are accepted for several programs.
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local, with 99% of grants going to recipients in Kansas. The recipient map is concentrated in northwest Kansas communities such as Russell, Oakley, Oberlin, Colby, Goodland, and Bird City. Multiple grants land in Russell, including awards to USD #407 Russell County and Russell Development Inc, while Oakley and Oberlin also appear repeatedly in the recent list. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 313 grants going to U.S. recipients.
Its active programs include scholarships for students, county-based community grants, and the Harold and Eileen Frasier Memorial Fund Grant for leadership development and rural life betterment in Wallace County and the surrounding area. The recent grant list also shows support for education, health care, recreation, arts and culture, and community improvement.
Yes. The scholarships portal accepts unsolicited applications, and several county-level and community grant programs are marked as accepting unsolicited requests, including the Cheyenne County Impact Fund and the community grants program administered through the foundation’s grants portal.
The grant distribution centers around relatively modest awards: the 25th percentile is $8,190, the median is $11,250, and the 75th percentile is $19,620. At the same time, the recent grants list includes much larger transfers for affiliate and institutional support.
Nearly all of its grants go to Kansas recipients: 99% are in the HQ state, and the recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based. The recent grants list shows especially frequent activity in northwest Kansas places such as Russell, Oakley, Oberlin, Logan, and Bird City.
Yes. USD #407 Russell County appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Logan Community Development Foundation Inc appears in 2024 and 2025, and Phillips County Community Foundation Inc also appears in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern suggests repeated support rather than one-time awards only.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants in the county area as determined by the foundation.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants in the county area as determined by the foundation.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Available to eligible applicants in Cheyenne County through the foundation's grant process.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants in the county area as determined by the foundation.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Available through the county foundation's grant process.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Grants can be made to nonprofit organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to educational, governmental or religious institutions. Grants cannot be made to individuals, businesses, or nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Grants can be made to nonprofit organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and to educational, governmental or religious institutions. Grants cannot be made to individuals, businesses, or nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
Who can apply: Eligible applicants in the county area as determined by the foundation.
Deadline: The majority of grants are due at the end of the day on the last day of the month to be reviewed the following month; some grant funds have different deadlines.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD #407 RUSSELL COUNTY | RUSSELL, KS | $164,589 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| LOGAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC | LOGAN, KS | $152,405 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| USD #294 DECATUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | OBERLIN, KS | $149,428 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WEST CENTRAL KANSAS ASSOCIATION INC | RUSSELL, KS | $107,577 | 2025 | HEALTH CARE |
| PHILLIPS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC | PHILLIPSBURG, KS | $66,632 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| RUSSELL RECREATION COMMISSION | RUSSELL, KS | $44,955 | 2025 | RECREATION & SPORT |
| USD #274 OAKLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS | OAKLEY, KS | $42,056 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PHILLIPS COUNTY | PHILLIPSBURG, KS | $39,226 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| CITY OF OBERLIN | OBERLIN, KS | $38,473 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| LUCAS ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL INC | LUCAS, KS | $37,525 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES |
| RAWLINS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT | HAYS, KS | $35,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| CITY OF GOODLAND | GOODLAND, KS | $34,546 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| THOMAS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | COLBY, KS | $33,784 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| GOVE COUNTY | QUINTER, KS | $30,250 | 2025 | RECREATION & SPORTS |
| ST WENCESLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH | WILSON, KS | $30,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| WALLACE COUNTY | SHARON SPRINGS, KS | $29,907 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| CITY OF HOXIE | HOXIE, KS | $27,790 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| OSBORNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | OSBORNE, KS | $27,000 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| MAIN STREET ARTS COUNCIL | HOXIE, KS | $26,100 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES |
| CITY OF COLBY | COLBY, KS | $26,030 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| OAKLEY CHILDCARE COALITION CORP | OAKLEY, KS | $25,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY | HAYS, KS | $23,814 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| USD #297 SAINT FRANCIS | ST FRANCIS, KS | $22,286 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| BULL CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ALTON, KS | $21,834 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPTY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| TOGETHER CHEYENNE COUNTY | ST FRANCIS, KS | $21,000 | 2025 | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| CITY OF ELLSWORTH | ELLSWORTH, KS | $20,558 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| USD #211 NORTON COUNTY | NORTON, KS | $20,065 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| USD #352 GOODLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | GOODLAND, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| WILD WEST HISTORICAL FOUNDATION INC | OAKLEY, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| NORTON MINI SPEEDWAY INC | NORTON, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | RECREATION & SPORTS |
| K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION SUNFLOWER DISTRICT SHERMAN COUNTY | GOODLAND, KS | $19,538 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| ST FRANCIS UNITED METHODIST THRIFT STORE | ST FRANCIS, KS | $18,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| GRASS ROOTS INSTITUTE OF KANSAS | ATWOOD, KS | $17,860 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OBERLIN | OBERLIN, KS | $17,500 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| ELLSWORTH COUNTY | ELLSWORTH, KS | $17,211 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| GOODLAND ACTIVITIES CENTER INC | GOODLAND, KS | $17,160 | 2025 | RECREATION & SPORTS |
| WESTERN VISTA BUILDING COMPLEX INC | OAKLEY, KS | $17,000 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| WALLACE COUNTY FOUNDATION | SHARON SPRINGS, KS | $16,510 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| FORT WALLACE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION | WALLACE, KS | $16,150 | 2025 | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING |
| RUSSELL ARTS COUNCIL | RUSSELL, KS | $15,550 | 2025 | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES |
| GREAT PLAINS OF CHEYENNE COUNTY | ST FRANCIS, KS | $15,221 | 2025 | HEALTH CARE |
| GOVE COUNTY ELDERCARE INC | QUINTER, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| WESTERN KANSAS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER | SCOTT CITY, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | HUMAN SERVICES |
| USD #241 WALLACE COUNTY | SHARON SPRINGS, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| GRAINFIELD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE INC | GRAINFIELD, KS | $14,422 | 2025 | COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| USD #291 GRINNELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS | GRINNELL, KS | $14,303 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH | BIRD CITY, KS | $14,252 | 2025 | RELIGION |
| LEAP OF FAITHE FOUNDATION | NORTON, KS | $13,695 | 2025 | PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION |
| DECATUR COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION INC | OBERLIN, KS | $13,500 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
| CITY OF RUSSELL | RUSSELL, KS | $13,099 | 2025 | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT |
USD #407 RUSSELL COUNTY
$164,589EDUCATION
LOGAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION INC
$152,405PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
USD #294 DECATUR COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$149,428EDUCATION
WEST CENTRAL KANSAS ASSOCIATION INC
$107,577HEALTH CARE
PHILLIPS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC
$66,632PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
RUSSELL RECREATION COMMISSION
$44,955RECREATION & SPORT
USD #274 OAKLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$42,056EDUCATION
PHILLIPS COUNTY
$39,226PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
CITY OF OBERLIN
$38,473PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
LUCAS ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL INC
$37,525ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
RAWLINS COUNTY CONSERVATION DISTRICT
$35,000COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
CITY OF GOODLAND
$34,546PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
THOMAS COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$33,784PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
GOVE COUNTY
$30,250RECREATION & SPORTS
ST WENCESLAUS CATHOLIC CHURCH
$30,000RELIGION
WALLACE COUNTY
$29,907PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
CITY OF HOXIE
$27,790PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
OSBORNE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$27,000RELIGION
MAIN STREET ARTS COUNCIL
$26,100ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
CITY OF COLBY
$26,030PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
OAKLEY CHILDCARE COALITION CORP
$25,000HUMAN SERVICES
FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY
$23,814EDUCATION
USD #297 SAINT FRANCIS
$22,286EDUCATION
BULL CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$21,834PHILANTHROPTY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
TOGETHER CHEYENNE COUNTY
$21,000COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
CITY OF ELLSWORTH
$20,558PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
USD #211 NORTON COUNTY
$20,065EDUCATION
USD #352 GOODLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$20,000EDUCATION
WILD WEST HISTORICAL FOUNDATION INC
$20,000PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
NORTON MINI SPEEDWAY INC
$20,000RECREATION & SPORTS
K-STATE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION SUNFLOWER DISTRICT SHERMAN COUNTY
$19,538PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
ST FRANCIS UNITED METHODIST THRIFT STORE
$18,000HUMAN SERVICES
GRASS ROOTS INSTITUTE OF KANSAS
$17,860PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OBERLIN
$17,500RELIGION
ELLSWORTH COUNTY
$17,211PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
GOODLAND ACTIVITIES CENTER INC
$17,160RECREATION & SPORTS
WESTERN VISTA BUILDING COMPLEX INC
$17,000PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
WALLACE COUNTY FOUNDATION
$16,510PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
FORT WALLACE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
$16,150COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING
RUSSELL ARTS COUNCIL
$15,550ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES
GREAT PLAINS OF CHEYENNE COUNTY
$15,221HEALTH CARE
GOVE COUNTY ELDERCARE INC
$15,000HUMAN SERVICES
WESTERN KANSAS CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
$15,000HUMAN SERVICES
USD #241 WALLACE COUNTY
$15,000EDUCATION
GRAINFIELD COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE INC
$14,422COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
USD #291 GRINNELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$14,303EDUCATION
ST JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH
$14,252RELIGION
LEAP OF FAITHE FOUNDATION
$13,695PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION
DECATUR COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION INC
$13,500PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT
CITY OF RUSSELL
$13,099PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT