Heartland Community Foundation Grants Nearly $700,000 Back Into Local Communities in Record-Breaking Fiscal Year
The Heartland Community Foundation granted a record $691,954.80 to local nonprofits and community organizations during its fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This is the largest annual distribution in the foundation’s history — nearly $265,000 more than last year’s $426,339.10.
In total, the Heartland Community Foundation awarded 207 grants to 115 organizations, with
dollars reaching communities across Ellis County ($320,872.43), Rooks County ($230,204.04), Trego
County ($102,752.69), and other counties ($38,125.61). Since 2014, HCF has granted nearly $5.3
million to throughout the area.
At the core of Heartland’s mission is the belief that strong nonprofits create strong communities.
The community foundation serves as a bridge — connecting local generosity with local needs — and
ensures charitable dollars raised are granted back into the region to strengthen nonprofit
organizations and build long-term capacity.
“Seeing nearly $700,000 granted back into our communities this year fills me with both pride and
gratitude,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. “These
dollars aren’t just numbers on a page — they represent stronger nonprofits, expanded services, and
the caring spirit of our donors.”
Grants from Heartland come in many forms: competitive grant cycles, special initiatives like the
community giving day -- Give Fest, or distributions made directly by organizations from their
endowed funds. In every case, the outcome is the same — stronger nonprofits and greater
community impact.
Granting is also part of Heartland’s larger role as the local expert on charitable giving. By pooling
resources and investing gifts for long-term growth, the community foundation amplifies individual
giving through the power of collective generosity. Donors who give through Heartland gain more
than a tax deduction — they receive personal service, confidence that their gifts are stewarded
wisely, and assurance that their dollars will have the greatest impact possible. This model means
that a single gift becomes part of a larger, permanent endowment that continues giving year after
year. As those funds grow, so does the foundation’s ability to support local nonprofits — creating a
cycle of generosity that benefits the entire region.
Recent grants have supported efforts such as expanding food pantries, enhancing library spaces,
improving access to healthcare, and strengthening community resources including the senior
center, mental health services, economic development initiatives, school needs, playground
improvements, and more. These investments not only meet today’s needs but also help build
capacity for the future.
Much of this year’s record growth is attributed to Give Fest 2024, a community-wide giving event
that mobilized donors across the region. HCF granted more than $160,000 in match dollars during
that initiative to local agencies. Heartland is already preparing for Give Fest 2025, which will be held
all day on October 10, with in-person giving events in Hays, Stockton, and WaKeeney. Local
nonprofits and community organizations are invited to participate in Give Fest 2025 and showcase
their programs to donors across the region and earn some match dollars. Organizations must have a
fund at Heartland in order to participate; the deadline to register is September 6, 2025.
“This milestone shows what’s possible when generosity is pooled and focused on the common
good,” Meitner added. “Our goal is not just to meet immediate needs, but to create a foundation of
support that will serve these communities for generations.”
About Heartland Community Foundation
Since 2007, the Heartland Community Foundation has been dedicated to improving the quality of
life in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties through philanthropy. An affiliate of the Greater Salina
Community Foundation, HCF connects donors with the causes they care about and ensures that
local dollars stay local. By building and managing more than 135 endowed and non-endowed
charitable funds for over 60 local organizations, individuals, businesses, and designated causes, the
foundation amplifies generosity and helps nonprofits strengthen their programs and services.
Since 2014, Heartland has granted nearly $5.3 million back into the region, supporting initiatives in
areas such as education, healthcare, food security, community development, mental health
services, and more. Through fostering a spirit of generosity, providing expert stewardship of
charitable funds, and creating long-term endowments, Heartland empowers communities to thrive
now and for generations to come. Learn more at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.
