Western Kansas Community Foundation

GARDEN CITY – The Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) is awarding 15 area non-profit organizations with grants totaling $79,969 from the Community Betterment Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, and various Field of Interest and Unrestricted funds for its March grant cycle.

The March grant cycle is the first of three grant cycles offered by WKCF each year. The next grant cycles have application deadlines of July 1 and Nov. 1.   

WKCF grants support both program and operating expenses. Additionally, WKCF reviews Urgent Needs requests on an ongoing basis. For the March cycle, WKCF received a total of 18 Community grant applications plus one Urgent Needs request.

According to Stacie Hahn, WKCF’s Program and Marketing Director, “This year marks the 30th anniversary for the Western Kansas Community Foundation, and in this milestone year, the foundation is especially grateful for the opportunity to celebrate community philanthropy by continuing to invest in organizations and projects that make western Kansas stronger. We at the Foundation want to give special thanks to the founders and donors who continue to see the importance of investing in and supporting local service organizations.” 

Fourteen community grants were awarded to support various charitable service organizations across the region, totaling $77,034. Funded organizations and awards are as follows:

1.  Agora, Inc. “Agora: The Next Generation” – $2,250.

2. Church of the Remnant “Silvia’s Corner” – $5,000.

3. Core Community Ulysses “Core Community Ulysses” – $10,000.

4. Garden City Arts “Art in the Park 2026” – $2,500.

5. Heritage Christian Academy “Shade Structure and Curriculum” – $7,500.

6. High Plains Education Cooperative “Southwest Kansas Summer Institute Training” – $8,475.

7. High Plains Rural Restoration Foundation “HPRRF – Retaining Fence and Feed” - $5,000.

8. Lakin Community Empowerment Group “ADA Compliant Restroom at Osborn Park” – $10,000.

9. Linger Gig Lab “Print for Purpose” – $6,500.

10.  Miles of Smiles “Miles of Smiles Facility Safety and Structural” – $3,500.

11.  Satanta Aging Program “Window Treatments for the Dining Room” - $6,898.94.

12.  Seward County Safety Council “Seward County Safety Council” – $2,000.

13.  Smoky Hills Public Television “Educational TV Programs and Outreach” – $3,320.

14.  St. Catherine Hospital Development Foundation “Enhancing Dignity and Well-being” – $4,090.

One Urgent Needs request was awarded to Stevens County Housing Authority in Hugoton for “Sunflower Plaza Mold Removal” in the amount of $2,935.