Best Grants for Community Centers in Kansas

The Community Possible Grant Program by U.S. Bank aims to foster economic and workforce advancement, as well as safe and affordable housing. By partnering with 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, the program seeks to drive lasting change within communities through collaborative grantmaking. Priority is given to organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and that address multiple pillars of work, home, and play. This initiative reflects U.S. Bank's commitment to creating a more equitable society.

The DanPaul Foundation aims to enhance early childhood development by training teachers and parents, protecting children from abuse, and promoting social responsibility. They provide grants to non-profits for programs that focus on education, health, and welfare of youth. Key initiatives include scholarships, environmental education, and support for underprivileged children. Grant amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 annually, with a focus on impactful, community-driven projects.

The Hall Family Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life in Kansas City by funding initiatives that elevate community spirit, promote equity, and create strong educational foundations. Prioritizing economic opportunities for marginalized communities, the foundation supports projects that foster inclusivity and holistic approaches to poverty reduction. With a commitment to innovative and collaborative efforts, the foundation aims to ensure that all community members can realize their potential and thrive.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

The Kansas Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Program aims to enhance the quality of life and care for nursing home residents using Civil Monetary Penalty funds. These funds, collected from nursing homes for non-compliance with Medicare and Medicaid standards, can be reinvested in initiatives that support resident care, facility improvements, and consumer involvement in quality assurance. Eligible organizations can apply for funding, provided they comply with CMS requirements.

The Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation Grant supports diverse arts programs in the greater Kansas City area, enhancing accessibility and quality. Established in 1987, the Foundation has a rich history of funding significant organizations like the Kansas City Symphony and Ballet. It accepts proposals from 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations focusing on performing and visual arts, promoting community growth. The Foundation prioritizes local initiatives while maintaining a commitment to the arts, providing vital funding for both large and small grantees.

The Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grant supports charitable, scientific, medical, and educational organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. This private funder emphasizes impactful service to diverse populations without discrimination. Grants must be utilized within the United States and cannot be awarded to individuals, political candidates, or lobbying efforts. The Trust is dedicated to enhancing the general welfare through soundly-managed initiatives that contribute significantly to community needs.

The Childcare Grant from the Patterson Family Foundation supports organizations in Kansas and western Missouri that enhance childcare services. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, school districts, and government entities focused on expanding childcare capacity, improving facilities, and making services more affordable for working families. Applications will be accepted through a Letter of Intent starting April 1, 2025, with a commitment to fostering thriving rural communities. The foundation emphasizes collaboration and sustainability in childcare initiatives.

The DCCF LiveWell Community Wellness Grants aim to enhance the health of Douglas County residents by promoting healthy eating and active lifestyles. These grants support projects that align with the 2018-2023 Douglas County Community Health Plan, focusing on food security and healthy environments. Organizations can receive funding to implement policy changes or programs that foster collaboration and community health improvement, with grants ranging from $1,000 to $80,000.

The KidsFUNd Grant, provided by the Central Kansas Community Foundation, aims to enhance family dynamics and children's mental health within Harvey, Butler, Marion, Elk, Wilson, and Sedgwick counties. Grants of up to $1,500 support initiatives focused on parenting education, youth leadership, and trauma recovery. This funding encourages community-driven solutions, emphasizing the importance of family engagement and positive parenting in improving children's well-being. Eligible organizations must possess a 501(c)(3) status and demonstrate a commitment to these goals.

The Leadership Transformation Grants, provided by the Kansas Leadership Center, aim to foster leadership in Kansas communities. This program offers training and a framework to help organizations embrace change and tackle challenges effectively. By enhancing leadership at all levels, the initiative promotes a more engaged workforce and drives positive cultural change. It is open to civically engaged organizations across various sectors, including education, faith, government, and nonprofit, seeking to mobilize their teams for meaningful progress.

The Community Facilities Grant Program in Kansas provides essential funding to develop crucial community facilities in rural areas, enhancing quality of life. Eligible entities include public bodies and non-profits in areas with populations under 20,000. Funding can cover construction, improvement, or equipment purchases for facilities such as health care centers, community support services, and educational institutions. This program aims to support rural development, ensuring access to necessary services for all residents.

The Caroline Peine Charitable Foundation Grant aims to enhance the quality of life in Manhattan, Kansas, focusing on projects that benefit the KONZA Prairie and promote recreational development in Keats. The Foundation welcomes applications from local nonprofits addressing various community needs, including the arts, historical preservation, and recreational services. However, it does not fund operating costs for city facilities or religious purposes, ensuring that its support aligns with Caroline Peine's commitment to the community.

The Blueprint to Build Grant Program aims to facilitate the establishment of community centers in Kansas by offering three pre-designed blueprints. With a funding pool of $14 million for 2025, eligible communities can receive up to $2.5 million to construct a center tailored to their needs. This initiative is designed to simplify and reduce costs for smaller communities, promoting vibrant spaces for low- to moderate-income residents while ensuring efficient construction processes.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

The TJX Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations located within 15 miles of a TJX store that align with their community mission. Eligible areas include basic needs, education for at-risk youth, workforce training, and safety from domestic violence. Organizations must be a registered 501(c)(3) for at least 12 months and have a nondiscrimination policy. Applications are invited through a Letter of Inquiry, with funding decisions based on community impact.

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation offers grants to support diverse initiatives, including museums, educational programs, and environmental activities. Aiming to make a significant impact with modest funding, the Foundation targets IRS-qualified non-profits in the U.S. Grants typically range from $1,000 to $20,000, fostering community development and enhancement. Organizations focused on youth, seniors, and individuals with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply, as the Foundation seeks to empower those in need.

The Dr. Scholl Foundation offers grants annually to IRS 501(c)(3) organizations, primarily focusing on U.S. applicants. The foundation supports projects in education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural initiatives, and environmental efforts. While the grant cycle runs from October 1 to March 1, it encourages innovative solutions to global challenges. Only one application per organization is accepted each year, and funding is limited to one year. Unqualified organizations, including political entities, are ineligible.

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.

The Nita M. Lowey 2025 Grant Competition is designed for re-applicants seeking funding to provide expanded learning opportunities for children outside regular school hours. Administered by the Kansas State Department of Education, this grant focuses on collaborative projects between school districts and community organizations, targeting schools with a 40% or higher free/reduced lunch population. Eligible applicants must have received 21st CCLC funds in the past five years, fostering educational equity and student achievement.

The Mount Carmel Foundation Legacy Grant is dedicated to enhancing healthcare in Southeast Kansas, continuing a legacy of philanthropy since 1983. It supports nonprofit healthcare providers with project budgets ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. Funded initiatives have included advanced medical technology, patient care enhancements, and facility upgrades. Organizations aligned with Catholic teachings are prioritized, particularly those serving Bourbon, Cherokee, and Crawford Counties, ensuring vital healthcare access for the community.

The Hawkins Charitable Foundation Grant, established in honor of Allen W. and Gladys Hawkins, aims to support community betterment projects in Osawatomie, Kansas. The foundation prioritizes grants for organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities that operate for charitable purposes. Applications are reviewed by local trustees to ensure resources are directed to areas of critical need. The foundation does not fund requests outside Osawatomie or those aimed at influencing legislation or benefiting individuals.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment

To protect and improve the health and environment of all Kansans.

Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) serves to improve the health of rural Kansans by expanding primary and secondary prevention programs, securing local access to primary care, building a sustainable rural health workforce, enabling value-base care and harnessing data and technology.

This office works closely with the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance in supporting rural health systems and the communities they serve to improve access and outcomes in health care. 

Five Kansas RHTP Initiatives

• Improving rural Kansas’ health outcomes and transforming the delivery system by implementing and sustaining initiatives that promote preventative health care and address root causes of diseases,
• Enhancing rural health care providers’ efficiency and sustainability,
• Attracting and retaining a highly-skilled health care workforce,
• Sparking growth of innovative care models in rural communities that improve quality of care while reducing costs, and,
• Fostering the use of innovative technologies to increase access to care for rural Kansans

Open RHTP Funding Opportunities

• Regional Partnership Grant Program 
• Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) Conversion/Transformative Capital Investment (CAP) Grant 

Regional Partnership Grant Program 

The $44 million RPGP grant enables eligible providers to participate in collaborative arrangements that promote preventive health care and address the root causes of disease, enhance rural providers’ efficiency and sustainability, attract and retain a high-skilled health care workforce, spark growth of value-based care models, and foster the use of innovative technologies. 

The Rural Health Transformation Program aims to enhance healthcare for rural Kansans by improving access to primary and secondary care, fostering a sustainable healthcare workforce, and promoting innovative care models. With funding opportunities like the Rural Emergency Hospital Grant, the program supports facilities transitioning to REH status with substantial financial assistance for necessary renovations. This initiative collaborates closely with local health systems to ensure effective healthcare delivery and outcomes in rural communities.

The Kansas Volunteer Commission's Youth Civic Engagement Mini-Grant supports youth in grades K-12 by funding projects that promote civic engagement. With a total allocation of up to $30,000, grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded to eligible organizations. Projects must be youth-led, nonpartisan, and focused on developing civic habits while addressing underrepresentation in civic life. This initiative aims to enhance community representation and foster a lifelong commitment to civic participation among young people.

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.

Kansas Arts Commision (KAC)| Arts Everywhere

Enhancing student success, the economy and Kansas communities through the arts

The Arts Everywhere grant program provides funding for cultural projects, programs, exhibitions, series, arts education projects, and other arts programming. This program provides funding for educational institutions, arts organizations, and community service non-profits to use the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, enhance community development, and increase participation in the arts across Kansas. Projects must relate to an arts and culture discipline (music, dance, theatre, creative writing, literature, painting, sculpture, folk arts, photography, crafts, media arts, visual arts, programs of museums, and other such allied, major art forms).

Match Requirements: KAC requires that all grants are matched at a minimum of 1:1 through a combination of cash and in-kind expenses.

Arts Everywhere grants are awarded in four categories:

• Arts in Education;
• Organizational Development: a) Capacity Building; b) Salary Assistance
• Specific Arts and Culture Projects; and
• Visiting Artists

Specific Arts and Culture Projects

This program is designed to fund a single cultural project, program, exhibition, or series. The grant activities must support the mission of the applicant organization, which may or may not be an arts and culture organization. Projects can take many forms. Examples of projects could include:

• A workshop
• A series of workshops
• An art exhibition
• A speaker engagement
• A festival
• An arts and health project
• Almost any arts and culture-centered project.

Micro Arts Program Grant

Supporting small organizations through arts programming

The Micro Arts Program (MAP) supports the work of Kansas organizations with annual total cash income of $20,000 or less. These organizations are the backbone of Kansas’ grassroots arts community, and this program can serve as an introduction to Kansas Arts Commission (KAC) funding by providing grants of $1,000 – $2,000 with 6-month periods of performance and quick turnaround time.

Eligible projects include cultural projects, programs, exhibitions, series, arts education projects, and other arts programming. This program provides funding for arts-centered non-profits to harness the power of the arts to increase student success, foster creative thinking, develop critical job skills, enhance community development, and increase participation in the arts across Kansas.