Best Grants for Youth Programs in Kansas

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving youth and underserved residents can seek funding for special programs, capacity building, and capital projects through the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation, with typical awards of US $150,000 - US $500,000. Organizations working in education, healthcare, social services, arts, or Jewish community initiatives in greater Kansas City may be eligible.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations enhancing access to performing or visual arts can receive funding for general operations, programs, productions, events, or capital campaigns. Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation provides support primarily in the greater Kansas City area, so youth-serving arts programs in eligible Kansas counties may be competitive applicants.

Youth robotics teams in Kansas participating in FIRST programs can access funding to support STEM education activities. Grants from John Deere Foundation help teams near Coffeyville and other Inspire home communities cover registration and related costs, with priority for school- or 501(c)(3)-based teams serving underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth and those engaging John Deere employee mentors.

Gove County Community Foundation

Our Mission

The goal of the Gove County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of life in Gove County through philanthropy, to increase economic and community development opportunities. We are driven by a mission to create a prosperous future for our community by supporting collaborative and innovative initiatives that address today’s needs while paving the way for a brighter tomorrow.

Through grants, scholarships, and community programs, we support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of Gove County. Whether it's enhancing educational opportunities, supporting local businesses, or preserving our rich heritage, we are here to help our community grow and prosper.

GCCF Community Grant

Providing charitable funding is at the heart of our mission. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Gove County Community Foundation awards grants to organizations across Gove County, supporting initiatives in arts and culture, community development, education, environment, health, human services, recreation, and youth development. Through these grants, we help strengthen our community today and build a brighter future for tomorrow. 

Grantmaking Criteria

Grants can address:

• Education: Enhances the learning environment and expands opportunities for students in Northwest Kansas. Provides increased self-reliance on personal life skills and workforce capability.
• Health Care: Ensure access to quality health care services and promotes healthy life practices.
• Economic Development: Development of a robust and sustainable economy includes a diversity of businesses and quality job opportunities.
• Community Social Services & Security: Enhance access to social services needed for individuals of special needs and supports systems to provide community disaster relief and general community emergencies.
• Conservation & Environment: Support efforts to improve and maintain high air and water quality, appreciation for our natural environment and enhance economic and social benefits of outdoor resources.
• Arts & Culture: Provide cultural and artistic opportunities to enhance the quality of life for local residents and to encourage tourism and the exchange of ideas.
• Community Beautification: Support efforts to improve and maintain public spaces to enhance community pride and encourage socialization among residents.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational, governmental, or religious institutions serving Decatur County youth, recreation, beautification, service, and community improvement projects can seek up to US $7,500. Focused on local community enhancement, Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation invites proposals that benefit Decatur County, Kansas through the GROW Decatur County Foundation Fund Grant.

Nonprofits and organizations running activity-based before- and after-school youth programs in Kansas can apply for the YES! Fund, supporting safe, engaging opportunities that build youth development and academic success. Administered by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, this grant favors programs in Manhattan and Riley County that involve volunteers and may need ongoing support.

Youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations and local government entities in Kansas and other Midwest states can receive US $5,000 - US $15,000 in matching funds to renovate baseball and softball fields. Royals Charities supports major upgrades like new sod, infields, fencing, dugouts, and other safety-related improvements for facilities primarily used by youth programs.

Kansas communities under 5,000 people seeking funds for tangible economic revitalization projects can apply for $10,000 - $25,000 to enhance childcare, youth-serving libraries, community vibrancy, and food retail. Eligible applicants in specified Kansas counties include local governments, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, and 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits, with a 10% match required.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - Kansas

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations, government entities, and state-recognized nonprofits can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 to support charitable firearms education, shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship programs. The NRA Foundation provides Kansas youth and community programs with funding for safety instruction, historical education, and research that improve firearms safety and facilities.

Youth robotics teams in Kansas affiliated with schools or 501(c)(3) nonprofits can apply for John Deere Foundation support for FIRST Robotics Competition expenses and mentoring. Eligible teams are near John Deere communities in Kansas or have an active John Deere mentor, with priority for underserved, underrepresented, or rural youth participants.

Kansas youth and family service nonprofits can seek one-year, unrestricted operating support for health, education, and financial stability programs through the Impact 100 opportunity. Focused on broad community well-being, United Way of Greater Kansas City invites area health and human service organizations, including those serving youth, across the six-county Kansas City metro region to apply.

Youth STEM teams associated with schools or 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kansas and other John Deere home communities can receive funding to participate in FIRST LEGO League Discover and related FIRST programs. John Deere Foundation provides support to teams near its Inspire locations, especially those serving underserved, underrepresented, or rural students in STEM fields.

Nonprofit and public organizations running youth, education, or community service programs in Kansas can apply for operational AmeriCorps support to engage members in evidence-informed service projects. Kansas Volunteer Commission prioritizes initiatives in youth development and mentoring, education, poverty alleviation, rural intermediary work, social justice, and related community-strengthening efforts.

The KS AmeriCorps Planning Grant empowers organizations in Kansas to develop effective AmeriCorps programs aimed at addressing community needs. This grant supports planning for a subsequent operational grant application cycle (2026-2027). Key priorities include education, poverty alleviation, support for rural communities, social justice, and youth development. By leveraging these grants, organizations can enhance their readiness to serve and make a significant impact in their communities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits, tribal entities, and local governments in Kansas serving Douglas County youth can apply for Douglas County Community Foundation Community Grants, with awards of US $1,000 - US $10,000 for local projects. Funding can support youth-focused work in areas like education, arts and culture, health, housing, and human services.

The Nita M. Lowey 2025 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition is aimed at new applicants who seek to provide expanded learning opportunities outside regular school hours. Managed by the Kansas State Department of Education, this grant supports projects that enhance student achievement, particularly in schools with a significant low-income population. Applicants must collaborate with community organizations and focus on meeting state educational standards.

Kansas youth-serving after-school and summer learning programs that previously received 21st Century Community Learning Centers funding can apply to continue expanded learning and enrichment services in Kansas. Eligible re-applicants must serve students from schools with at least 40% free or reduced-price lunch, supporting efforts to help youth meet or exceed state and local academic standards.

Public and private nonprofits, schools, higher education institutions, government entities, labor organizations, partnerships, and tribes in Kansas can receive up to US $5,000 to support nonpartisan youth civic engagement projects for grades K–12. Kansas Volunteer Commission funds initiatives like service-learning, youth advisory roles, and opportunities for underrepresented youth to participate in local decision-making and public meetings.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits providing youth services, emergency assistance, shelters, safety-net health care, and other critical human services can receive unrestricted operating support for core expenses. Menorah Heritage Foundation provides metro Kansas City organizations up to US $10,000 for items like salaries, rent, utilities, audits, technology, and benefits when serving local youth and families.

Nonprofit and community organizations serving at-risk youth can access funding for programs and services in Crawford, Cherokee, and Labette counties of Southeast Kansas. Grants from Elm Acres Foundation help Kansas youth programs deliver activities and support that improve the well-being of local children and teens in these communities.

501(c)(3) nonprofits running arts, education, health, welfare, or other K–12 youth programs in Greater Kansas City, including Kansas counties, can seek project support through the Edward G And Kathryn E Mader Foundation. Grants help Kansas youth services that directly benefit children, with a focus on clear local impact and financial transparency.

Nonprofit organizations running youth activities, arts and culture, or basic human needs programs in Southeast Kansas counties can apply for Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas Community Impact Grants, with awards of US $500 - US $11,000. Eligible counties include Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, and other surrounding areas.

Nonprofit arts organizations and eligible public or tribal entities in Kansas and the broader M-AAA region can apply for Mid-America Arts Alliance’s Regional Touring Grant, awarding up to US $5,000 in matching funds toward touring artists’ fees. Projects must feature in-region artists, include at least two public events, and may engage youth among other underserved audiences.

Kansas youth-serving 501(c)(3) organizations can access funding through the Hatton W Sumners Foundation to run civic education, engagement, and leadership programs. Grants support activities like mock legislative sessions, public policy conferences, teacher training on founding documents, and academic contests that teach the science and practice of American democratic self-government.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations running youth and family programs can access funding through Central Kansas Community Foundation to support children’s mental health, youth leadership, parenting education, and family-focused services. Grants of US $1,000 - US $2,500 are available for projects serving Harvey, Butler, Marion, Elk, Wilson, and Sedgwick (Valley Center) counties.

Kansas 501(c)(3) organizations serving youth through literacy, education, healthy and active communities, or military and veteran support can apply for funding, primarily in the greater Kansas City metro area. Royals Charities provides grants that may benefit youth programs in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties and nearby Missouri counties within its service area.