Best Graham County Grants for Nonprofits in Kansas

Dane G Hansen Foundation

Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with a generous estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an entrepreneur whose business interests over the course of his life included, among others, retail, lumber, road and bridge construction and oil. Reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong love of Northwest Kansas, the charitable foundation that bears his name has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Fulfillment of our mission is predicated on three specific goals: Strengthening and supporting our communities, Creating an environment for growth, and Increasing economic opportunities.

Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants

A quality childcare center should be more than a place where children are safe and fed. Science is clear about the critical importance of a child’s first three years of brain development. The early years are the platform from which all learning starts. 

This grant is designed to offer assistance to nonprofit childcare centers or family childcare homes (formerly group homes) with needs such as office equipment, outdoor space needs, curriculum, books, or other items.

Dane G Hansen Foundation

Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with a generous estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an entrepreneur whose business interests over the course of his life included, among others, retail, lumber, road and bridge construction and oil. Reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong love of Northwest Kansas, the charitable foundation that bears his name has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Fulfillment of our mission is predicated on three specific goals: Strengthening and supporting our communities, Creating an environment for growth, and Increasing economic opportunities.

Staffing Assistance Grants

The Hansen Foundation recognizes that having dedicated professional staff can help community foundations grow faster and better serve their communities. With that in mind, the Hansen Foundation partnered with the Patterson Family Foundation to offer an opportunity for countywide community foundations in the Hansen service area to receive assistance to hire full-time staff.

Community Foundation must apply for the grant opportunity through the Hansen Foundation’s grant portal. 

Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation

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.

Northwest Kansas Early Childhood Sustainability Grant Fund

To help sustain licensed childcare centers or nonprofit qualified family childcare homes (formerly classified as nonprofit group homes).

To assist with sustainability of quality nonprofit early education centers or qualified childcare homes in Northwest Kansas, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the State of Kansas – through the Children’s Cabinet, and the Patterson Family Foundation, have collaborated to create this permanently endowed grant fund.

What is meant by sustainability?

The grant is intended to address a budget shortfall or unforeseen issue that, if not addressed, could result in the closure of the facility or closure of classrooms, or that jeopardizes the standard of care provided.

Applicants can ask for budgetary support for operations in order to divert dollars for a necessary or critical capital expenditure without which the ability of the facility to stay open or provide safe, quality care is threatened.

Examples could include HVAC, structural or safety issues, or issues noted by the fire marshal or during a license review.

When possible, facilities must strive for full enrollment – while always meeting KDHE guidelines. It is understood that facilities will often “hold slots” while a current child in care ages up.

Dane G. Hansen Foundation

Dane G. Hansen Foundation was established in 1965 with a generous estate gift from Dane G. Hansen. Mr. Hansen was an entrepreneur whose business interests over the course of his life included, among others, retail, lumber, road and bridge construction and oil.

Reflecting Mr. Hansen’s lifelong love of Northwest Kansas, the charitable foundation that bears his name has a mission to improve the quality of life for the residents and the communities in the 26 counties that make up the northwest quarter of Kansas.

Our Mission: The Dane G. Hansen Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for the people of Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Fulfillment of our mission is predicated on three specific goals:

• Strengthening and supporting our communities
• Creating an environment for growth
• Increasing economic opportunities

Our Guiding Principles

• Health: Healthy individuals form healthy communities.
• Workforce: A capable workforce can build effective community economic opportunities.
• Education: Education, both formal and informal, is the key for improved quality of life.
• Environment:Appreciation for our natural world positively impacts human health.
• Leadership: Leadership, management and volunteerism are essential ingredients of dynamic communities..
• Culture: Attractive communities with cultural opportunities attract and retain residents.

Our Service Area

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s primary service area includes the 26 most Northwest Kansas counties. Consideration will be given to proposals from organizations outside the primary service area if the proposal provides substantial benefits to the people or communities within the primary service area.

Applications are received year-round and grants are awarded monthly to benefit Northwest Kansas and its residents.

NEW Fund Match

Helping community foundations and donors establish permanent funds

Beginning in 2025, The Hansen Foundation will offer a new, additional match opportunity to help donors and eligible countywide community foundations create new endowed field of interest, donor-advised, designated, and organization funds.

This matching opportunity will begin in January of 2025 and sunset December 31 of 2027.

How much funding is available and how does it work?

Community foundations can utilize up to $20,000 per year to be secured as follows:

• 1:1 match, up to $2000 for donors’ gift(s) to establish a NEW ENDOWED field of interest, designated, organization or donor advised fund established through the host foundation (GNWKCF or GSCF). Maximum match of $2,000 per fund.
• Please note: either the donor, or the charitable organization that will benefit from the fund, must reside in the Dane G. Hansen 26-county service area to qualify for the match. New donor advised funds must therefore be donors who live in the defined service area.
• Donors must agree to reach the $10,000 fund minimum within 3 additional years.
• 1:2 match for donors’ gift(s) to an existing ENDOWED field of interest, organization, or designated fund held within the host foundation that is not yet at the fund minimum. Maximum of $1,000 per fund.

Note that gifts to existing donor advised funds or any scholarship funds do not qualify.

A fund is eligible for only ONE match during the three-year program.

Fund agreements and proof of donation will be submitted to the host foundation to verify and then submit monthly to the Hansen Foundation for match qualification. Matching dollars will be awarded to the host foundations at the end of each month.

If a foundation does not utilize the full $20,000 in a year, there is no carry-over to the following year, but the foundation will be eligible for the full amount in the remaining years of the program.