Heartland Community Foundation Opens Fall Grant Cycle Sept. 15-Nov. 15, Announces Changes Coming in 2027
The Heartland Community Foundation will open its fall grant cycle on September 15, with nearly $200,000 available to support projects and programs benefiting communities across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Grant applications will be accepted online through 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2026.
- This grant cycle aims to support local initiatives that fulfill one or more of the following goals:
Directly benefiting communities in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties. - Enhancing the quality of life for individuals and expanding the capacity or outreach of
applying organizations through programs, projects, or capital improvements. - Providing seed funding to kickstart new projects, programs, or organizations that will serve the community.
Funding this cycle is made possible by the Legacy Funds of Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties, along with contributions from the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, the Heartland Healthy Living Fund, the Heartland Area Action Fund, the Hays Optimist Friends of Youth Fund, the Trego County Enhancement Fund, and the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors Fund.
A New Approach to Grantmaking in 2027
This fall grant cycle will mark the final time the Heartland Community Foundation uses its current twice-yearly grant cycle. For more than a decade, the Foundation has accepted grant applications twice a year, with deadlines of May 15 and November 15.
Beginning in 2027, the Foundation will move to a more frequent grant cycle, with at least eight application opportunities throughout the year. The change is designed to give local nonprofit organizations and other eligible applicants more flexibility and more timely access to grant funding, rather than requiring organizations to wait several months for the next May or November deadline.
“We know that community needs don’t always follow a twice-a-year calendar,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation. “Moving to more frequent grant opportunities will give organizations more chances to apply when a need or project arises and will allow us to respond with grant dollars in a more timely way.”
Additional details about the 2027 grant schedule, application process, and funding opportunities will be announced later this fall. Organizations planning ahead should know that if they are unable to meet the November 15, 2026, deadline, there will be additional opportunities to apply beginning early in 2027.
Eligible projects must be based in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties and will undergo a competitive evaluation process. Nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and churches are all encouraged to apply. All applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 15. Detailed funding criteria and the application form can be found at https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/grants/
For further inquiries, please reach out to Sarah Meitner, executive director, at 785-621-4090, Savannah Downing, Trego Development Director, at 785-743-3270, or Deanna Hammerschmidt, Rooks Development Director, at 785-688-5098. To learn more about the Heartland Community Foundation, make a donation to one of our managed funds, or apply for a grant, please visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org. You can easily make a charitable gift by clicking the GIVE ONLINE button. Stay updated on our latest news, grantee stories, and featured funds by following us on Facebook at @HeartlandCF.
