Best Grants for International Development in Kansas

The Big Bets Fellowship: Economic Opportunity in the United States is a transformative 4-month program designed to empower emerging leaders to tackle economic challenges head-on. With a focus on innovative solutions for job creation, affordable housing, and equitable access to resources, the fellowship equips participants with essential skills and a supportive network. The initiative aims to drive systemic change and promote sustainable economic prosperity, addressing inequalities while fostering resilient communities across the nation.

The Pinetop Assistance League (PAL) Grant provides crucial financial support to elderly blues musicians, ensuring their well-being during emergencies. This grant, part of the Pinetop Perkins Foundation's mission, offers assistance for medical expenses, home care, and essential living costs. Eligible applicants must be professional artists aged 50 or older with a household income below $35,000. By addressing these needs, PAL plays a vital role in preserving the legacy and care of blues musicians.

Johnson County Community Development Office

The mission of the Johnson County Community Development Office is to secure federal, state and local funding for community development activities, to provide leadership in coordinating these activities, and to ensure continued funding through accountable, efficient and effective use of these funds in serving low- to moderate-income residents in Johnson County.

Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Federal Objective

The primary objective of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, is to promote “development of viable urban communities, by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income.” The Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR 570 Subparts A through O, govern how this objective is to be carried out.

Johnson County’s Priority Objectives

The primary goal of the program is to provide federal financial assistance to eligible applicants for the purpose of community development. In pursuit of this goal, the County has identified several strategies in the Plan that applicants should consider when applying. A unit of local government may also use local goals and/or objectives in support of a specific activity for which funds are requested. As stated in the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan, the priority needs are: Non-Housing Community Development; Affordable Housing; and Homelessness.

The CDBG program includes funding for: 1) Housing Projects; 2) Public Facilities Projects 3) Public Services Projects; and 4) Economic Development Projects

Public Services Projects

Eligible Activities

Once the National Objective is determined then the activity must be a public service as defined at 24 CFR 570.201(e). Provision of public services, including but not limited to those concerned with employment, crime prevention, childcare, health, drug abuse, education, fair housing counseling, energy conservation, welfare, homebuyer downpayment assistance or recreational needs.

The Wabtec Direct Grant Program focuses on creating sustainable impacts in local communities by funding 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations. Emphasizing education and environmental stewardship, the program supports initiatives that improve literacy, academic outcomes, and workforce readiness. Grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, prioritizing organizations that engage local Wabtec employees in volunteerism. The program promotes equitable access and non-discrimination while ensuring measurable results in funded projects.

The CIF Capacity Builder Awards by Endeavor Health focus on enhancing community health through strategic investments. With over $38.5 million allocated to local partnerships, these awards aim to address critical areas like healthcare access, food insecurity, and workforce development. Designed for nonprofit organizations, the awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 annually for 1-2 years, fostering long-term community impact and advancing health equity in the service areas.

The Harvey Community Investment Grants, facilitated by the Harvey County United Way, aim to empower local non-profit and community organizations by funding programs focused on education, health, and income stability. With over 65 years of experience, the organization emphasizes measurable outcomes and sustainable impacts. Grant applicants must demonstrate a clear community need, illustrating their program's effectiveness in addressing issues like educational access, health care, and financial stability for residents. The initiative underscores a partnership approach, ensuring ongoing support beyond the grant.

About KDOT

Welcome to KDOT, your dedicated partner in delivering transportation that keeps Kansans moving forward. 

Development Program

The goal of KDOT’s Economic Development Program is to fund transportation improvements that attract new businesses to Kansas and support the growth of existing ones.

Objective

To create new jobs and encourage capital investment in Kansas by helping fund transportation improvements to recruit new businesses and encourage growth of existing businesses

The Therapeutic Giving program by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding initiatives that enhance patient access to treatment and advance health equity, particularly in immunology. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for support aimed at improving health outcomes through innovative programs. The initiative prioritizes measurable impacts over fundraising activities, emphasizing the importance of addressing healthcare disparities and promoting disease awareness efforts for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is inviting applications for the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment or Prevention (SBIRT/P) program. This funding opportunity aims to explore innovative methods for addressing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use among adults facing health disparities. The initiative seeks research proposals that will implement and evaluate SBIRT/P strategies in collaboration with healthcare and community partners. This approach is crucial for enhancing public health and ensuring effective interventions.

Kansas Office of Apprenticeship

The Kansas Office of Apprenticeship (KOA) supports the development and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs across the state and administers the Kansas Apprenticeship Council (KAC), which ensures programs meet state and federal apprenticeship standards.

Mission: To meet the needs of the Kansas economy and its citizens, the office of Apprenticeship will actively grow a robust system that supports our apprenticeship stakeholders, sponsors, intermediaries, and apprentices. We do this by strategically empowering partnerships that serve a diverse and inclusive workforce through occupational proficiency, for generations to come.

Rural Apprenticeship Innovation for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Grant

Overview

The Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Office of Registered Apprenticeship are committed to meeting Kansas’ high-wage, high-demand workforce needs by expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs in counties with populations under 50,000 residents. This grant provides direct operational support to new and existing programs—such as business support, marketing, and training equipment—to help them grow, expand services, and reach more Kansans.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to provide seed funding for long-term investments in the expansion of new or established Registered Apprenticeship programs in rural Kansas with populations under 50,000. Registered Apprenticeships are a sustainable and economical way to connect residents to meaningful training for long term careers, retain talent in rural areas, and keep Kansas competitive.

Goals

• Support expansion of Registered Apprenticeship programs in rural Kansas counties.
• Increase Registered Apprenticeship enrollment by at least 10% year over year in high-wage, high-demand occupations

Arbor Rising Grant, established in 2010, is a NYC-based nonprofit providing unrestricted multi-year funding and capacity-building support to nonprofits focused on alleviating poverty. The grant process occurs every three years, with the next round in 2025 being invitation-only. Eligible organizations must demonstrate high potential and effective leadership, typically operating on a modest budget. Arbor Rising prioritizes applicants from the NYC metro area while expanding to cover the lower 48 US states.

About

Being deeply connected to the community means more than providing access to excellent healthcare. It means understanding, and investing in, the health needs of our community.

Through our Community Investment Fund (CIF), Endeavor Health has awarded more than $38.5 million to 59 local partnerships dedicated to enhancing community health and wellbeing, advancing health equity and supporting local economic growth. Together, we’re committed to helping everyone in our communities be their best.

Award categories

Through the CIF, we will make meaningful and intentional investments through impact awards and capacity builder awards. These awards are intended to meaningfully advance the health of our community over time towards three bold aspirations through investments in five areas of focus.

We aspire to a future where:

• A person’s zip code does not determine how long they will live
• Hunger and homelessness in our communities are history
• The healthcare workforce is thriving and representative of the communities we serve

To help advance these aspirations, the CIF will invest in the following areas:

• Access to healthcare
• Behavioral health
• Food insecurity
• Housing insecurity
• Workforce development for careers in healthcare

Impact awards

• Designed for 5-year initiatives where organizations come together to drive measurable impact and longer-term change in the communities we serve by improving existing systems and innovation
• Emphasize strategic cross-sector and/or intra-sector partnerships between community-based organizations
• Uplift community members of greatest need
• Directly align with CIF areas of focus and meaningfully contribute to CIF goals
• Award amount: $1 million per year, up to 5 years

About QuikTripQuikTrip believes in investing in the communities in which our employees live and work. Every year, QuikTrip donates 5% of our annual net profit to qualified 501c3 non-profit agencies, which includes our United Way campaign match, support for National Safe Place agencies, Folds of Honor scholarships and many other agencies that support at-risk youth and early childhood education.Mission: To wisely invest dollars in community efforts that will help impact (in measurable terms) individuals in our society who are dependent on the charitable support of others. We believe the most effective way to do that is to invest our contribution dollars and volunteers in strategic efforts that help those at risk reach their functional capacity as successful, independent citizens.About QuikTrip Charitable GrantsQuikTrip funds 501c3 agencies located in the cities in which we have stores and our employees live and work. Funding can include: “in-kind” products (coupons, gift cards or product donation), formal grants, fundraiser/event sponsorships and employee volunteer time.Focus Areas:

• Creating Safe Communities
  • First Responders: QuikTrip is proud to partner with law enforcement and first responders in every market we serve, making sure that they have the tools, training and support they need to keep our communities safe and to return home safely to their families after each shift.
  • Homeless Outreach & Alternatives to Police Response: To significantly reduce non-emergency calls and help people in crisis get back on their feet, QuikTrip funds dedicated homeless outreach teams across our communities. These teams engage individuals experiencing homelessness and living in encampments – connecting people to services, shelter, detox and long-term care.

• Creating Strong Communities
  • Ending Homelessness: We support emergency, transitional and permanent supportive housing, diversion and prevention programs, and more.
  • Mental Health & Substance Abuse : We know that healthy communities are safe communities, which is why we invest in detox and substance abuse treatment centers, and behavioral health centers and services to end the perpetuation of cycles of trauma and addiction.
  • At-Risk Youth: We especially prioritize services for at-risk youth – those aging out of foster care, justice-involved or without stable support systems.
• Additional Community Commitments
  • United Way: Employee donation matching in all markets.
  • Folds of Honor: Scholarships for families of fallen or wounded service members and first responders.
  • National Safe Place: QT stores serve as Safe Place locations for youth in crisis, with trained staff ready to assist.

Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses.

Industrial Renovation for Opportunity & New Economic Development (IRONED) Grant

Purpose

The IRONED pilot grant was created to preserve and bring new economic activity to underutilized, vacant, or dilapidated industrial and manufacturing buildings in rural communities, stimulating local economies and supporting business growth. This grant is meant to be gap financing for projects that need one last piece of their funding stack to get the project across the finish line.

Eligible Projects

Renovation of industrial or manufacturing facilities for projects that are ready for implementation and need gap financing. Renovation must be completed within 12 months of award and the tenant operating in the space must be in place within 18 months. 

The Kerr Foundation Inc. offers grants to 501(c)3 organizations, focusing on education, arts, health, and human services. Priority is given to Oklahoma entities, but applications from neighboring states and Washington D.C. are also accepted. The foundation supports various project types, including capital, program, and operating expenses. Note that back-to-back grants are not allowed, enforcing a three-year gap for reapplication after funding. This ensures a broad and impactful reach for community development.

The Patterson Family Foundation is inviting innovative proposals to enhance community engagement in rural areas. With a focus on projects that foster long-term involvement from all generations, the Foundation aims to support initiatives that contribute to the mission of thriving rural communities. To apply, organizations must be located within the Foundation's Kansas and western Missouri catchment and possess nonprofit status. Early submission of the Letter of Intent is highly recommended for timely review.

Our mission is to enhance quality of life, today and in the future, by:

• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable desires
• Building a permanent endowment
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds
• Meeting needs through grants, awards, and scholarships

CF Sunshine Scholarship

Amount

Varies

Geographic focus

Students qualifying to graduate or are a graduate from a Cloud County or Washington County, Kansas, high school.

Renewals

Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply for renewal by meeting the criteria.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance (M-AAA) believes art can be a catalyst for expression, connection, collaboration, and community. This philosophy is reflected in our mission and values.

M-AAA is a nonprofit, regional arts organization representing Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. We focus on strengthening communities and improving lives by supporting artists, elevating arts organizations, and connecting people to extraordinary cultural experiences.

Artistic Innovations Grants for Individual Artists

Program Objectives

The Artistic Innovations program supports the development of new or original works of art across all disciplines, created exclusively by in-region individual artists and art-based organizations in M-AAA’s six-state region (Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas, and the Native Nations in this geography). Eligible applicants include individual artists and nonprofit 501(c)(3) arts organizations in the region.

Individual Artist Grant Considerations

The Artistic Innovations grant program supports direct project expenses incurred in the art-making process and production of public-facing engagements to individuals through private funds. These grants are funded through private support and, unlike Artistic Innovations grants to organizations, are not supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

SC Johnson Grants aim to enhance community welfare through charitable contributions, focusing on health, sustainability, and opportunity. Since 1937, the company has committed five percent of its pretax profits to support registered charities and nonprofit organizations, especially in areas where it operates. The grant program prioritizes initiatives addressing healthcare access, environmental conservation, and educational equity, ensuring that efforts align with the values of community service and corporate responsibility.

The Conservation Connect Fellowship Program, offered by the National Forest Foundation, invites graduate students to engage in hands-on conservation projects. This fellowship provides practical experience, mentorship from conservation professionals, and training in collaborative leadership. Fellows will gain a deep understanding of forest management and expand their professional networks. With a focus on developing future conservation leaders, the program seeks students passionate about public lands and community engagement.

The Windgate Charitable Trust Grant supports contemporary craft and visual arts in the U.S. It offers funding for fellowships, residencies, educational outreach, and materials for craft programs. The foundation prioritizes strengthening visual arts in colleges and expanding K-12 art-integrated programs, providing opportunities for artists and educators to enhance their skills and foster creativity among students. Organizations with previous funding from Windgate can apply through the grantee portal.

Bristol Myers Squibb is dedicated to enhancing healthcare and advancing scientific knowledge through its Corporate Giving program. By supporting various organizations, BMS aims to improve health equity and access to essential medicines for underserved populations. Their focus includes charitable donations, medical education, and community support initiatives. This commitment reflects BMS's goal to make a positive impact on patients' lives and foster strong communities where their employees work and live.

About Us

Every day, we're working to empower Kansas to lead the nation in health.

Request a Sponsorship

Beyond grantmaking, KHF is constantly looking for ways to further support the communities, organizations, schools, churches and people of Kansas. Each year, we have a limited amount of funding available to sponsor events, efforts or initiatives.

If you’d like to apply for sponsorship support from KHF, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

A few notes about our decision making:

• The earlier you apply for funding, the better. If you have an event in mid-May, and the form isn’t submitted until late April, it makes it very difficult to turn around an approval in time.
• One of the questions on the application form asks for which regions of Kansas will be served by the initiative. For the purpose of this application, please refer to the Economic Development Districts outlined by the Kansas Department of Commerce. Which counties fall into which regions are indicated on this map.
• We will also evaluate submissions based on how well they fit into our strategic framework.

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) is a self-supporting, nonprofit, public corporation that serves as the primary administrator of federal housing programs for the state of Kansas. KHRC delivers solutions to those who are working to end the housing crisis in Kansas. The corporation’s vision can only be achieved when all Kansans have the support and resources they need to achieve their goals, no matter where they are in their housing journey.

Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

Description

The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program is authorized by subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371-11378). The program authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to make grants to States, units of general-purpose local government, and territories for the rehabilitation or conversion of buildings to use as emergency shelter for the homeless, for the payment of certain expenses related to operating emergency shelters, for essential services related to emergency shelters and street outreach for the homeless, and for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance

The Emergency Solutions Grant provides funding to

• Engage homeless individuals and families living on the street.
• Improve the number and quality of emergency shelters for homeless individuals and families.
• Help operate these shelters.
• Provide essential services to shelter residents.
• Rapidly re-house homeless individuals and families.
• Prevent families and individuals from becoming homeless.

ESG Funding Components

Emergency Solution Grant Funding can be used for five program activities: street outreach, emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing assistance, and HMIS; as well as administrative activities.

The Reilly Family Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, honors the legacy of Lois and Duane Reilly, who significantly contributed to agriculture and business in the region. This scholarship provides two awards of $1,500 each, supporting students pursuing careers in agriculture and business, reflecting the family's commitment to education and community. It aims to foster future leaders inspired by the Reilly family's dedication to hard work and innovation.