Heartland Community Foundation Awards $134,675 in Grants to Local Organizations

The Heartland Community Foundation recently awarded $134,675 to local organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County during our spring grant cycle. In total, the community foundation helped fund 33 projects -- including 14 that were fully funded and 19 that were partially funded.

Grant dollars were awarded from the foundation’s permanent endowed funds, including the Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County Legacy Funds – our largest granting funds. As these funds grow with time, patience, continued investment, and donor generosity, the Heartland Community Foundation will be able to grant even more and continue to make a lasting impact in the region.

In Ellis County, $40,544 was distributed to these organizations:

• $7,500 to Women Who Lead, Inc. for Sunrise Park Revitalization Project
• $1,995 to the City of Hays for Bike Helmets for Kids
• $3,499 to First Call for Help of Ellis County for Serving Summer Smiles—food for up to 600 children or 60 boxes/month for five months
• $3,000 to Grow Hays for UV-C Disinfection Cabinet for Bright Minds Academy
• $2,615 to the Ellis County Historical Society for Museum Outbuilding Updates
• $3,000 for Hays Senior Center for updates to Activity Room
• $4,090 to High Plains Mental Health Center for Sobering Equipment/Crisis Services
• $2,455 to Thomas More Prep-Marian High for Portable AED for Athletics
• $5,000 to Downtown Hays Development Corporation for Downtown Concessions/Storage Building
• $1,000 to Hays Recreation Commission for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Leisure Programming
• $2,500 to Holy Cross Charities for Holy Cross Church - Stained Glass Window Restoration
• $3,890 to Ellis Public Library for Lighting Improvement Project

In Rooks County, $45,304 was distributed to these organizations:

• $620 to Palco Recreation Commission for Equipment for Community Presentations
• $2,500 to Stockton Public Library for Youth Programming
• $7,500 to USD 271 for Playground Renovations
• $7,000 to the City of Plainville/Plainville Public Library for Inclusive Spaces for All Ages
• $1,840 to Rooks County Historical Society for Western Kansas Reading Room
• $4,115 to USD 270 for Therapy Dog
• $5,829 to USD 271 for Concession Stand - Popcorn Machine
• $5,000 to Redbud Village for Redbud Interior Refresh
• $900 to High Plains Mental Health for Sobering Equipment/Crisis Services
• $5,000 to Rooks County for Rooks County Golf Course - Golf Cart Fleet Update
• $5,000 to Rooks County Healthcare Foundation for Healthcare Recruitment Video

In Trego County, $48,827 was distributed to these organizations:

• $3,500 to City of Collyer for Depot Square Updates
• $2,500 to High Plains Mental Health for Sobering Equipment/Crisis Services
• $7,500 to Trego County – Lemke Memorial Hospital for Walkway - Long-Term Care Campus
• $3,359 to USD 208 for Appliance Upgrades in FACS Classroom
• $2,500 to CASA of the High Plains for Expansion Initiative
• $5,100 to City of WaKeeney for Kelly Plaza - Security Equipment for Construction
• $3,368 to The Well – Center for Hope for Commercial Ice Machine and Counseling Relief Funds
• $5,000 to USD 208 for Student Advisory Council – Courtyard Renovations
• $6,000 to WaKeeney Church of God for A/V System Upgrade for Sanctuary
• $10,000 to Trego County – Economic Development for Tiny Pop-Up Cabin for Trial Retail Space

This round of grants was made possible by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, which focuses on improving quality of life throughout the county; the Ellis County, Rooks County, and Trego County Legacy Funds; the Heartland Healthy Living Fund and the Kansas Health Foundation Fund for Heartland Community; Heartland Action Fund; and the Stockton Community Fund.

The foundation’s next grant cycle opens September 15, with online applications due November 15, 2025.

For more information, please visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org or email heartland@gscf.org.