The Foundation makes grants that strive for excellence, improve service for clients, strengthen organizations, and assist underserved, low-income individuals within the Kansas City community.

Areas of Focus

In recognition of Marion and Henry Bloch’s lifelong commitment to their community, the Foundation focuses its support on organizations that serve Greater Kansas City (Jackson, Clay, and Platte counties in Missouri, and Wyandotte and Johnson counties in Kansas).Education for Poor, Disadvantaged, and Underserved Youth The Foundation promotes access to quality pre-K, K to 12, and post-secondary education, focusing on closing achievement gaps and building human capital in the urban core.Healthcare The Foundation supports centers of excellence, education, and access to quality healthcare.Jewish Community Organizations The Foundation supports organizations that advance social and economic justice issues in the Jewish community.Post-Secondary Business and Entrepreneurship EducationThe Foundation supports select post-secondary business and entrepreneurship education programs that are centers of excellence.Social Services The Foundation expands access and opportunities for vulnerable, disadvantaged and low-income individuals and families by meeting basic human needs and supporting the creation of pathways out of poverty.Visual and Performing ArtsThe Foundation supports excellence in and access to the arts, emphasizing programs that enhance quality, strengthen management, and increase audience participation. Education for Poor, Disadvantaged and Underserved Youth The Foundation promotes access to quality birth-to-12th grade and post-secondary education, focusing on closing achievement gaps and building human capital in the urban core. Legacy OrganizationsIn recognition of Marion and Henry’s lifetime commitments to the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, the Foundation places a priority on programs and operations of these organizations.The Foundation does not have a minimum or maximum award limit, though most grants fall in the range of $50,000 to $250,000.

NOTE: Contact your local office to discuss your specific project. Applications for this program are accepted year round.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Hearst Foundations' Mission

The Hearst Foundations identify and fund outstanding nonprofits to ensure that people of all backgrounds in the United States have the opportunity to build healthy, productive and inspiring lives.

Hearst Foundations' Goals

The Foundations seek to achieve their mission by funding approaches that result in:

• Improved health and quality of life
• Access to high quality educational options to promote increased academic achievement
• Arts and sciences serving as a cornerstone of society
• Sustainable employment and productive career paths for adults
• Stabilizing and supporting families

Funding Priorities

The Hearst Foundations support well-established nonprofit organizations that address significant issues within their major areas of interests – culture, education, health and social service – and that primarily serve large demographic and/or geographic constituencies. In each area of funding, the Foundations seek to identify those organizations achieving truly differentiated results relative to other organizations making similar efforts for similar populations. The Foundations also look for evidence of sustainability beyond their support.

Culture

The Hearst Foundations fund cultural institutions that offer meaningful programs in the arts and sciences, prioritizing those which enable engagement by young people and create a lasting and measurable impact. The Foundations also fund select programs nurturing and developing artistic talent.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Education

The Hearst Foundations fund educational institutions demonstrating uncommon success in preparing students to thrive in a global society. The Foundations’ focus is largely on higher education, but they also fund innovative models of early childhood and K-12 education, as well as professional development.

Types of Support: Program, scholarship, capital and, on a limited basis, general and endowment support

Health

The Hearst Foundations assist leading regional hospitals, medical centers and specialized medical institutions providing access to high-quality healthcare for low-income populations. In response to the shortage of healthcare professionals necessary to meet the country’s evolving needs, the Foundations also fund programs designed to enhance skills and increase the number of practitioners and educators across roles in healthcare. Because the Foundations seek to use their funds to create a broad and enduring impact on the nation’s health, support for medical research and the development of young investigators is also considered.

Types of Support: Program, capital and, on a limited basis, endowment support

Social Service

The Hearst Foundations fund direct-service organizations that tackle the roots of chronic poverty by applying effective solutions to the most challenging social and economic problems. The Foundations prioritize supporting programs that have proven successful in facilitating economic independence and in strengthening families. Preference is also given to programs with the potential to scale productive practices in order to reach more people in need.

Types of Support: Program, capital and general support

NOTE: Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be at least 6 weeks before the first event.

Humanities Kansas is leading a movement of ideas. We believe that stories carry our culture and ideas change the world. Humanities for All grants support projects that draw on history, literature, and culture to engage the public with stories that spark conversation.

Goals of the Action grants:

• Share stories that explore the human experience
• Engage the general public in discussions centered on a humanities theme, in-person or through other formats
• Generate insights that cultivate a thriving democracy

What types of projects do we support?

Humanities programs can take many forms. Formats include but are not limited to new interpretive exhibits, community conversations, panel discussions, presentations, book discussions, short documentary films, or podcasts.

Projects can be planned for in-person events, virtual platforms (like social media or Zoom), or some other creative format. Engagement of the general public, which primarily refers to an adult, out-of school audience, is key. Any application for an in-person event must also include a brief description of an alternate format if in-person events cannot occur.

To be competitive for funding, the project should aim to do the following:

• Draw on our diverse history, literature, and cultures to explore a defined topic, keeping the humanities central to the project
• Engage the general public, which primarily refers to an adult, out-of-school audience.
• Provide opportunities for engagement with in-person events and discussions, or with participatory online platforms or other formats
• Involve multiple ways to engage beyond one public event. (For example, a request for a keynote speaker is usually not considered a competitive proposal unless there are additional engagement opportunities such as an exhibit, book discussions, film screening, etc.).

HK is interested in innovative, creative program formats, diverse perspectives, and new methods for reaching an audience. HK grants are intended to get a project “off the ground.” HK cannot be expected to fund a similar project, or a signature event, year after year.

Award Amounts

Grants are competitive with a maximum award amount of $3,500.

Additional funds can be requested to assist with increasing access to the project, including support for a sign language interpreter, Spanish language interpreter, audio tours for digital and in-person exhibits, rental of handicap accessible ramps, etc.

In addition to grant funds, applicants are asked to contribute goods and services equal to or greater in value than the amount requested. This is called cost share and can include:

• Staff and volunteer time devoted to the project
• Donated use of office space, venue facility, equipment, and supplies
• Social media, public service announcements, and other free publicity
• Refreshments at events

Cash match is not required. HK only accepts costs accrued after the official start date of the grant period.

Since its inception, the Foundation, which is still led by Lester T. Sunderland's descendants, has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Company. 

 The Foundation prefers to make grants for construction and special interest projects rather than for annual operating expenses. 

Grants for planning, design, construction, renovation, repairs and restoration of facilities are considered. Areas of interest include higher education, youth serving agencies, health facilities, community buildings, museums, civic projects and energy efficient affordable housing projects sponsored by qualified tax-exempt organizations. 

Funding Areas

In recent grant cycles, the Board of Trustees has awarded the majority of grants in four broadly defined areas:

Health Care and Hospitals

A growing area of need in many of the communities the Foundation serves. In 2017, more than $2.9 million was awarded to hospitals and health-care groups to build and improve their facilities. 

Human Services

The Foundation awarded over $7 million to human service nonprofits in 2017, and the majority of grants in this area were awarded to groups that provide essential services to youth and families. Grantees included a range of youth-focused groups, including the Kansas 4-H Foundation, Kids TLC, Ronald McDonald House & Boys & Girls Clubs. 

Higher Education

In 2017, the Foundation awarded more than $10 million to over 45 educational organizations. Grantees included community colleges, private colleges, and public universities. 

Arts and Culture

Arts and culture projects received $7 million in 2017, including grants to the Eisenhower Foundation in Abilene, Kansas; the Kansas City Symphony, the Nelson Gallery Foundation and many more.

Walmart’s more than 2 million associates are residents, neighbors, friends and family in thousands of communities around the globe. Walmart works to strengthen these communities through both retail business and community giving, and we support and invest in communities through local giving. The following programs have open application processes with specific deadlines for eligibility and consideration.

Local Community Grants

Each year, our U.S. stores and clubs award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where we operate. They include a variety of organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services and community clean-up projects.

Areas of Funding

• There are eight (8) areas of funding for which an organization can apply. Please review the areas listed below to ensure your organization’s goals fall within one of these areas.
• Community and Economic Development: Improving local communities for the benefit of low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Diversity and Inclusion: Fostering the building of relationships and understanding among diverse groups in the local service area
• Education: Providing afterschool enrichment, tutoring or vocational training for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Environmental Sustainability: Preventing waste, increasing recycling, or supporting other programs that work to improve the environment in the local service area
• Health and Human Service: Providing medical screening, treatment, social services, or shelters for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating: Providing Federal or charitable meals/snacks for low-income individuals and families in the local service area
• Public Safety: Supporting public safety programs through training programs or equipment in the local service area
• Quality of Life: Improving access to recreation, arts or cultural experiences for low-income individuals and families in the local service area

Humanities For All Mini Grant

Humanities For All grants support projects that draw on history, literature, and culture to engage the public with stories that spark conversations. 

Goals:

• Share stories that explore the human experience
• Engage people in public discussions
• Generate insights that cultivate a thriving democracy

Types of Projects We Support

Humanities programs can take many forms. Formats include, but are not limited to, interpretive exhibitions, community conversations, town halls, panel discussions, presentations, book discussions, short films, full-length films, or podcasts. Creativity and innovation are encouraged. 

To be competitive for funding, the humanities must be central to the proposal. Projects should draw on our diverse history, literature, and cultures to explore a defined topic. Projects must engage the general public, which primarily refers to an adult, out-of-school audience. 

Humanities include the following disciplines:

• History
• Literature
• Languages and cultures
• Law
• Folklore
• Gender studies
• Religious studies
• Philosophy
• Art history*
• Archeology
• Cultural anthropology
• Ethics
• Social sciences, such as political science and sociology, are also considered humanities.

* A note regarding the arts: Humanities Kansas does not support arts projects, defined as creation and display of visual art, creative writing workshops, or performance (drama, dance, music, etc.). However, as noted above, projects that focus on the analysis and contextualization of art, such as a panel discussion moderated by an art historian, are eligible. The difference between humanities and art can be a fine line. If your project includes arts components, contact HK staff for guidance. 

Format

Consider the format. HK is interested in innovative, creative program formats, diverse perspectives, and new methods for reaching an audience. HK grants are intended to get a project “off the ground.” HK cannot be expected to fund a similar project, or a signature event, year after year. 

Scholars

Contact a Humanities Scholar. Every project must involve at least one humanities scholar to support a humanistic perspective and provide in-depth knowledge. Scholars are often faculty members, library or museum professionals, or independent cultural experts. HK staff can help identify humanities scholars. Scholars must have at least one of the following criteria:

• At least a Master’s degree in a humanities discipline helpful to the success of the project
• College-level teaching experience in a humanities discipline or proven record of scholarship in the humanities
• Museum curator, librarian, or other individuals with exceptional knowledge of the relevant topic
• Culture bearers – tribal or community elders, or practitioners of traditional cultural forms

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

The Foundation will consider requests to support museums, cultural and performing arts programs; schools and hospitals; educational, skills-training and other programs for youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and programs.

Humanities Kansas has explored bold stories and big ideas in every corner of Kansas—ideas about what it means to be human, to be part of a democracy, and to strengthen our communities.

As we celebrate our first 50 years, HK remains committed to Kansas stories by offering the Spark! Short Documentary Films Initiative, special grants for short films that will carry Kansas culture forward into the next 50 years. We are looking for documentary films that reflect the diversity of experience found in today’s Kansas. We encourage fresh takes, dynamic interpretations, and a focus on overlooked experiences.

Have a story but need help making a film? Talk to us! HK staff can connect you with a Kansas filmmaker.

Selected organizations will receive:

• Up to $10,000 to support the film project and public program
• Statewide publicity and promotion of the project
• Networking and training with a cohort of selected organizations

HK will select up to 4 project hosts based on the strength of the application, accompanying plans, geographic distribution, community partnerships, and enthusiasm for the project.