Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation is a public charity based in Bird City, Kansas, formed in 2009. It works with affiliated foundations, donors, and charitable partners to support community grantmaking across a 15-county area of Northwest Kansas.
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation gave $2.2M across 116 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Kansas. 37% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,243,849
- +7.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 116
- +12.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,344
- -4.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $11,168
- Total assets
- $94,620,124
- +32.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 37% first-time grantees (43 of 116, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Kansas (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Applications must be submitted online through the Grant Portal. The foundation recommends checking the specific grant’s requirements because deadlines vary; most grants are due by the last day of the month for review the following month.
- Review Cycle
- Most grants are due on the last day of the month, but some funds have different deadlines.
- Deadline
- Most grants are due on the last day of the month, but some funds have different deadlines.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 593, Bird City, KS 67731
Phone: (785) 734-2406
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Brush Family Foundation Fund Grant
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cheyenne County Impact Fund Grant
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dane G Hansen Community Grant for Ellsworth County
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was USD #407 Russell County ($165K). Together the top 10 received $843K.
Grant Size Distribution
496 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 463 grants of 496 (93%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its work as serving a 15-county area of Northwest Kansas. Its 2024 grant dollars went primarily to Kansas recipients: the filing reports 99% in Kansas and 0% each in Colorado, Georgia, and New Hampshire.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 116 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation open to new grantees?
37%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 43 of 116 grantees (37%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $13K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2020) to $16.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 116 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| USD #407 Russell County Russell, KS | Education | $164,589 |
| Logan Community Development Foundation Inc Logan, KS | Philanthropy, Voluntarism, Grantmaking Foundation | $152,405 |
| USD #294 Decatur Community Schools Oberlin, KS | Education | $149,428 |
| West Central Kansas Association Inc Russell, KS | Health Care | $107,577 |
| Phillips County Community Foundation Inc Phillipsburg, KS | Philanthropy, Voluntarism, Grantmaking Foundation | $66,632 |
| Russell Recreation Commission Russell, KS | Recreation & Sport | $44,955 |
| USD #274 Oakley Public Schools Oakley, KS | Education | $42,056 |
| Phillips County Phillipsburg, KS | Public & Societal Benefit | $39,226 |
| City of Oberlin Oberlin, KS | Public & Societal Benefit | $38,473 |
| Lucas Arts and Humanities Council Inc Lucas, KS | Arts, Culture & Humanities | $37,525 |
Ready to take the next step with Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $94,620,124 | $25,469,267 | $5,805,729 | $2,243,849 | 116 | $3,549,416 |
| 2023 | $71,387,211 | $17,466,214 | $4,619,092 | $2,085,112 | 103 | $1,845,558 |
| 2022 | $54,366,423 | $31,578,418 | $18,851,038 | $16,933,700 | 94 | $1,116,266 |
| 2021 | $47,390,567 | $21,199,864 | $2,815,290 | $1,777,740 | 95 | $1,461,832 |
| 2020 | $27,939,396 | $5,831,478 | $2,752,523 | $1,746,738 | 88 | $1,183,657 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to empower donors, affiliates, and charitable partners through education, stewardship, and regional collaboration to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.
Its 2024 grants included awards designated for education, health care, recreation and sport, arts and humanities, community improvement, and public and societal benefit. Among the grantees, Thomas County Community Foundation says its mission is to endow funds to improve quality of life for Thomas County residents. Wild West Historical Foundation says it shares stories of Plains culture and provides a venue for community events and meetings. Goodland Activities Center describes its mission as serving the community as a health and physical fitness facility for children and adults.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 116 grants totaling $2,243,849. Grant amounts ranged from $5,007 to $164,589, with a median of $11,168. The largest awards included $164,589 to USD #407 Russell County for education, $152,405 to Logan Community Development Foundation for philanthropy and grantmaking, and $149,428 to USD #294 Decatur Community Schools for education.
Other 2024 awards included $107,577 to West Central Kansas Association for health care; $44,955 to Russell Recreation Commission for recreation and sport; and $38,473 to the City of Oberlin for public and societal benefit. The foundation also awarded $33,784 to Thomas County Community Foundation and $20,000 to Wild West Historical Foundation.
The foundation’s grants page lists opportunities including county-specific Dane G. Hansen community grants and the Northwest Kansas Early Childhood Sustainability Grant Fund. That childcare fund supports eligible licensed childcare facilities facing a budget shortfall or unforeseen issue that could threaten operations or quality of care; facility expansion, marketing, special events, and staff professional development are among its stated exclusions. Applications for non-emergent childcare grants are due January 31, April 30, July 31, or October 31.
The foundation states that grant applications are reviewed and approved by its board. Grantees are monitored through one-time final reports and occasional site visits.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Mike Posson as president, Joan McKenna as vice president, Tom Keller as treasurer, and Mitch Gillespie as secretary. Directors listed are Harry Joe Pratt, John O Farmer IV, Raelene Keller, Kris Yost, Travis Rickford, and Chuck Moore.
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation is led by Darci Schields, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 12 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Darci Schields
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$55K (2020) → $77K (2024)
Mike Posson
President
Director → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Harry Joe Pratt
Director
Vice President → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Raelene Keller
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Travis Rickford
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tony Haffner
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chuck Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John O. Farmer IV
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kris Yost
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan McKenna
Vice President
Director → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mitch Gillespie
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Keller
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Cora House (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Cindy Burr (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Clint Bursch (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Antholz (2020–2021) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $77K, to Darci Schields (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
How much does Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation give each year?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation gave $2.2M across 116 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 103 grants.
What is Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $11,168, and its average grant was $19,344, across 116 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation that year got $14K on average.
Where does Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation give grants?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation gives mostly in Kansas: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Goodland, KS (15 grants), Russell, KS (8 grants), Oberlin, KS (7 grants) and Saint Francis, KS (6 grants).
Does Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 116 grants with a stated purpose on Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Public & Societal Benefit" (30 grants), "Education" (20 grants) and "Arts, Culture & Humanities" (11 grants).
Who are Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include USD #407 Russell County ($164,589), Logan Community Development Foundation Inc ($152,405) and USD #294 Decatur Community Schools ($149,428), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation reported $94.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $25.5M.
What does Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to empower donors, affiliates, and charitable partners through education, stewardship, and regional collaboration to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation?
Applications must be submitted online through the Grant Portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's EIN?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1025832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation funds
Community Improvement & Capacity Building Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Leveling-Up Award $1,000 · Due October 25, 2026
- Arnold F. Keller, Jr. Grant for New Initiatives/Program Expansion $25,000 · Due October 27, 2026
- Wausau Marathon County Impact Grants (Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin) $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the scope of the project · Due October 27, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Kansas
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 23, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/greater-northwest-kansas-community-foundation-morg_eb0edaab23374196b4c231ce8125bf85
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_481025832_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/greater-northwest-kansas-community-foundation-morg_eb0edaab23374196b4c231ce8125bf85},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-23. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?