Enriching Western Kansas life through philanthropy, collaboration and leadership
Western Kansas Community Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by one unusually large operating-support award: $1,534,909 to Wichita County Community Foundation Inc in Leoti. That single grant sits alongside a steady stream of support for local institutions in Garden City and neighboring western Kansas communities, showing a pattern of funding that reaches across education, health, youth services, and basic needs. The foundation also made six-figure awards to Garden City Community College Endowment Association, including operating support in 2025 and an operating grant in 2024, and it supported Emmaus House with operating grants in 2024 and 2025. Its grantmaking includes both unrestricted support and donor-funded distributions, with a strong emphasis on sustaining organizations rather than funding one-time projects. Recent awards also point to a broad civic footprint: public libraries, a family YMCA, a United Way, a church-based community program, and a food bank all appear among its grantees. The foundation’s work aligns with its stated aim of enriching Western Kansas life through philanthropy, collaboration and leadership.
Education and student support are a visible part of the foundation’s giving. It awarded $120,000 to University of Kansas Endowment Association for the Department of Ophthalmology, and it also supported Garden City Community College Endowment Association with a $91,892 grant for Western Kansas Children’s Puppet Theater, which connects education and children’s arts programming. Health and human services appear through operating support for Kansas Food Bank, which received $100,000 in 2025, and through grants to Emmaus House, a recurring recipient in Garden City. Youth and family-serving programs also show up in grants to Garden City Family YMCA and Spirit of the Plains CASA, both of which received operating support or operating grants. The foundation’s stated focus areas also include abuse prevention, immediate and basic needs for families, and nonprofit capacity development, matching the mix of service, education, and organizational support seen in its recent awards.
Typical awards cluster in the low five figures: the 25th percentile is $9,610, the median is $15,214, and the 75th percentile is $33,992. The distribution reaches higher when the foundation makes operating-support commitments, including seven-figure and six-figure grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, which suggests recurring relationships rather than isolated one-time awards; several organizations received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation uses an unrestricted grantmaking pool, endowed and non-endowed donor funds, match-day pools, and named programs such as Women of Purpose and Urgent Needs. It also administers scholarships, and some initiatives accept unsolicited applications.
$3.2M
$50.7M
$3.4M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $34K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$34K
Lisa Axman
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Grant dollars are concentrated in Kansas, with 99% of grants going to recipients in the state and the foundation’s giving described as local. Garden City appears repeatedly in the recipient list, along with Leoti, Cimarron, Wichita, and Kansas City, showing reach across western and southwest Kansas and into nearby in-state institutions. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 178 grants recorded in the United States. The grant list also includes organizations serving communities beyond Garden City within the 15-county service area.
Its recent grants support community foundations, colleges, human service organizations, libraries, a family YMCA, a food bank, a church-based community program, and a zoo friends group. The foundation’s stated focus areas include arts, education, youth services, abuse prevention, immediate/basic needs, nonprofit capacity, and health and human services.
Yes. Operating support is a visible part of the grant pattern, including a $1,534,909 operating-support award to Wichita County Community Foundation Inc, a $162,712 operating-support award to Garden City Community College Endowment Association, and operating support to Emmaus House, Kansas Food Bank, and Finney County United Way.
Yes. The foundation administers scholarships for students, and education-related grants also appear in the recent list. One example is the University of Kansas Endowment Association grant for the Department of Ophthalmology, while Garden City Community College Endowment Association also appears as a recurring recipient.
Very local. Ninety-nine percent of grants go to recipients in Kansas, and the grant list shows repeated support for organizations in Garden City, plus awards to groups in Leoti, Cimarron, Wichita, and Kansas City within the state.
Yes. Several active programs are marked as accepting unsolicited applications, including MatchDay, the Women of Purpose Fund, the Urgent Needs Fund / MayDay Nonprofit Relief and Urgent Needs Grants, the WKCF general grant programs, and scholarships.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Western Kansas Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Area nonprofit organizations participating in WKCF MatchDay.
Deadline: Begins November 15 and runs through Giving Tuesday each year.
Who can apply: Eligible nonprofits providing urgent services in response to COVID-19; awards subject to fund availability and donor restrictions.
Deadline: Historically rolling while funds lasted (May 2020)
Who can apply: Community-based nonprofit organizations operating within WKCF's 15-county service area. Each request is evaluated on its own merit and consistent with donor wishes or the Foundation mission.
Who can apply: Community-based nonprofit organizations and charitable entities operating within WKCF's 15-county service area. Each request is evaluated on its own merit per grant guidelines.
Deadline: Three granting cycles per year (quarterly cycles). See grant guidelines and application page for cycle dates.
Who can apply: Community‑based nonprofit organizations serving WKCF's 15‑county service area. Each request is evaluated on its own merit and in accordance with donor restrictions when applicable.
Deadline: Three granting cycles per year (specific dates vary by cycle; check WKCF for current cycle deadlines).
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita County Community Foundation Inc | Leoti, KS | $1,534,909 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Garden City Community College Endowment Association | Garden City, KS | $162,712 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Emmaus House | Garden City, KS | $107,642 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| University of Kansas Endowment Association | Kansas City, KS | $100,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Kansas Food Bank | Wichita, KS | $100,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Finney County United Way | Garden City, KS | $77,969 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Garden City Family YMCA | Garden City, KS | $65,260 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Community Congregational Church | Garden City, KS | $63,505 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Finney County Public Library | Garden City, KS | $62,198 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo | Garden City, KS | $57,616 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Shepherd of the Plains Foundation Inc | Cimarron, KS | $54,245 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney & Kearny Counties | Garden City, KS | $49,304 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| Real Men Real Leaders Inc | Garden City, KS | $43,805 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Spirit of the Plains CASA | Garden City, KS | $42,530 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Lakeside Camp of the United Methodist Church | Scott City, KS | $41,525 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Finney County Historical Society | Garden City, KS | $38,457 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Russell Child Development Center | Garden City, KS | $32,060 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Genesis Family Health | Garden City, KS | $26,901 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Finney County Humane Society | Garden City, KS | $25,830 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Finney County Senior Center | Garden City, KS | $25,164 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas | Garden City, KS | $24,945 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland | Wichita, KS | $24,848 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| The Salvation Army | Garden City, KS | $23,814 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Benincasa | Garden City, KS | $21,765 | 2025 | Health, General |
| Chains Break in Partnership with CRC | Lakin, KS | $21,275 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| High Plains Public Radio | Garden City, KS | $20,900 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Bluejay Education Foundation | Cimarron, KS | $20,200 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Kansas Oral History Project Inc | Topeka, KS | $20,055 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Lakin Community Empowerment Group | Lakin, KS | $20,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Garden City Arts | Garden City, KS | $18,120 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| The Community Inc | Garden City, KS | $17,172 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Leave a Legacy Foundation | Garden City, KS | $15,070 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Tri-Agency Intervention DBA Liberal Area Coalition for Families | Liberal, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Stevens County Hospital DBA Pioneer Manor | Hugoton, KS | $15,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| USD 457 Garden City Public Schools | Garden City, KS | $14,000 | 2025 | Student Scholarships |
| First United Methodist Church | Garden City, KS | $13,878 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Friends of the Cimarron Library | Cimarron, KS | $13,780 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| The Stepping Stone Shelter Inc | Liberal, KS | $13,250 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| St Catherine Hospital Development Foundation | Garden City, KS | $12,863 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Grow & Learn Childcare Center Inc | Leoti, KS | $12,500 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| Kansas Children's Service League | Garden City, KS | $11,520 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Meals on Wheels | Garden City, KS | $11,140 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center | Scott City, KS | $10,755 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| Family Crisis Services | Garden City, KS | $10,270 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Great Plains MakerSpace Inc | Garden City, KS | $10,060 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center | Garden City, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | Educational |
| Stauth Memorial Museum | Montezuma, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
| Sublette Rotary Foundation | Sublette, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| CES BEST | Cimarron, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | Youth Development |
| Finney County Commission on Aging Inc | Garden City, KS | $10,000 | 2025 | Operating Support |
Wichita County Community Foundation Inc
$1,534,909Operating Support
Garden City Community College Endowment Association
$162,712Operating Support
Emmaus House
$107,642Operating Support
Finney County United Way
$77,969Operating Support
Garden City Family YMCA
$65,260Operating Support
Community Congregational Church
$63,505Operating Support
Finney County Public Library
$62,198Operating Support
Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo
$57,616Operating Support
Shepherd of the Plains Foundation Inc
$54,245Operating Support
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Finney & Kearny Counties
$49,304Youth Development
Real Men Real Leaders Inc
$43,805Operating Support
Spirit of the Plains CASA
$42,530Operating Support
Lakeside Camp of the United Methodist Church
$41,525Operating Support
Finney County Historical Society
$38,457Operating Support
Russell Child Development Center
$32,060Operating Support
Finney County Humane Society
$25,830Operating Support
The Salvation Army
$23,814Operating Support
Benincasa
$21,765Health, General
Chains Break in Partnership with CRC
$21,275Operating Support
Bluejay Education Foundation
$20,200Operating Support
Kansas Oral History Project Inc
$20,055Operating Support
Lakin Community Empowerment Group
$20,000Operating Support
Garden City Arts
$18,120Operating Support
The Community Inc
$17,172Operating Support
Leave a Legacy Foundation
$15,070Operating Support
Tri-Agency Intervention DBA Liberal Area Coalition for Families
$15,000Operating Support
Stevens County Hospital DBA Pioneer Manor
$15,000Operating Support
USD 457 Garden City Public Schools
$14,000Student Scholarships
First United Methodist Church
$13,878Operating Support
Friends of the Cimarron Library
$13,780Operating Support
The Stepping Stone Shelter Inc
$13,250Operating Support
St Catherine Hospital Development Foundation
$12,863Operating Support
Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center
$10,755Youth Development
Family Crisis Services
$10,270Operating Support
Great Plains MakerSpace Inc
$10,060Youth Development
Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center
$10,000Educational
Stauth Memorial Museum
$10,000Operating Support
Sublette Rotary Foundation
$10,000Youth Development
CES BEST
$10,000Youth Development
