Greater Northwest Kansas Community
The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (GNWKCF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity and community foundation established in 2009, headquartered in Bird City, Kansas. The organization serves as an umbrella foundation managing charitable funds and distributing grants throughout northwest Kansas and the tri-state region. GNWKCF administers 320 charitable funds and operates as a philanthropic fundraising services organization dedicated to increasing exposure and opportunities for philanthropy in the region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$94.6M
+32.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+7.6% YoY
Grant Count
116
+12.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-4.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To empower donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.
Vision Statement: To strategically guide affiliates to inspire donors to give, prudently grow contributions, and connect gifts to causes.
Guiding Principles:
- Integrity: Operating ethically and transparently
- Excellence: Striving for higher standards and quality performance
- Community: Collaborating around common goals
- Visionary: Finding potential and opportunity with progressive ideas
- Resilient: Adapting to dynamic circumstances and gaining strength through transformation
Primary Funding Areas: Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$2,000 to $25,000 (varies by fund)
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Greater Northwest Kansas Community?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
GNWKCF serves a 14-15 county area in Northwest Kansas. The foundation comprises:
- 13 Affiliate Foundations
- 1 Agency Foundation
- 6 Agency Partners
- 2 Supporting Organizations
- Numerous other funds
Affiliate Foundations:
- Norton County Community Foundation
- Logan County Community Foundation
- Graham County Community Foundation
- Gove County Community Foundation
- GROW Decatur County Foundation
- Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation
- ACE Foundation
- Wallace County Foundation
- Smoky Hills Community Foundation
- Sherman County Community Foundation
- Sheridan County Community Foundation
- Russell County Area Community Foundation
- Osborne County Community Foundation
- Phillips County Community Foundation
- Thomas County Community Foundation
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $94,620,124
- Annual Grant Giving: $2,959,810 (2023)
- Number of Employees: 14
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $94,620,124 | $71,387,211 | $54,366,423 |
| Revenue | $25,469,267 | $17,466,214 | $31,578,418 |
| Expenses | $5,805,729 | $4,619,092 | $18,851,038 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $3,549,416 | $1,845,558 | $1,116,266 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Greater Northwest Kansas Community
Brush Family Foundation Fund Grant
GREATER NORTHWEST KANSAS COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Cheyenne County Impact Fund Grant
GREATER NORTHWEST KANSAS COMMUNITY
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dane G Hansen Community Grant for Ellsworth County
GREATER NORTHWEST KANSAS COMMUNITY
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Logan Community Development Foundation Inc ($152,405), City of Oberlin ($38,473), Lucas Arts and Humanities Council Inc ($37,525).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC KENNESAW, GA | HEALTH CARE | $5,146 |
| ATWOOD AMBASSADORS ATWOOD, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $10,000 |
| BARGAIN BOX INC OBERLIN, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $10,000 |
| BULL CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ALTON, KS | PHILANTHROPTY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION | $21,834 |
| CARRIE'S REHAB CRITTERS HAYS, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $9,310 |
| CHEYENNE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY SAINT FRANCIS, KS | ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES | $10,000 |
| CITIZENS FOUNDATION COLBY, KS | PHILANTHROPTY, VOLUNTARISM, GRANTMAKING FOUNDATION | $11,099 |
| CITY OF COLBY COLBY, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $26,030 |
| CITY OF ELLSWORTH ELLSWORTH, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $20,558 |
| CITY OF GOODLAND GOODLAND, KS | PUBLIC & SOCIETAL BENEFIT | $34,546 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Executive Director: Darci Schields
Director of Grants & Scholarships: Carol Sloper
Board: Governed by an 11-member volunteer board of leading citizens and professionals
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIKE POSSON | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JOAN MCKENNA | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TOM KELLER | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MITCH GILLESPIE | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| HARRY JOE PRATT | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JOHN O FARMER IV | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RAELENE KELLER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KRIS YOST | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TRAVIS RICKFORD | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHUCK MOORE | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TONY HAFFNER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DARCI SCHIELDS | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $77,497 |
Contact Information
Address: 103 W. 4th Street, P.O. Box 593, Bird City, KS 67731
Phone: (785) 734-2406
Fax: (785) 734-2412
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.gnwkcf.org
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30am - 4:30pm (excluding public holidays)
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Greater Northwest Kansas Community fund?
**Mission Statement:** To empower donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations. **Vision Statement:** To strategically guide affiliates to inspire donors to give, prudently grow contributions, and connect gifts to causes. **Guiding Principles:** • Integrity: Operating ethically and transparently • Excellence: Striving for higher standards and quality performance • Co…
How do I apply for a grant from Greater Northwest Kansas Community?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $2,959,810 (2023) • Number of awards: 103 grants in 2023 • Grant range: $2,000 to $25,000 (varies by fund) • Typical awards: $5,007–$14,866,842 **Application Process:** • Applications reviewed at monthly board meetings held the third Monday of each month • Decision time: Approximately 3 weeks • Some funds accept applications year-round; others are invitation-only **Active Grant Funds Include:** • Brush Family Foundation Fund • Cheyenne County Impact Fund Gra…
Where does Greater Northwest Kansas Community make grants?
GNWKCF serves a 14-15 county area in Northwest Kansas. The foundation comprises: • 13 Affiliate Foundations • 1 Agency Foundation • 6 Agency Partners • 2 Supporting Organizations • Numerous other funds **Affiliate Foundations:** • Norton County Community Foundation • Logan County Community Foundation • Graham County Community Foundation • Gove County Community Foundation • GROW Decatur County Foundation • Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation • ACE Foundation • Wallace County Foundation •…
What size grants does Greater Northwest Kansas Community award?
In 2024, Greater Northwest Kansas Community awarded 116 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Greater Northwest Kansas Community's EIN?
Greater Northwest Kansas Community's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 48-1025832. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Greater Northwest Kansas Community's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Dane G Hansen Foundation
LOGAN, KS
Assets
$362.9M
Grants
323
Total Given
$39.4M
The Patterson Family Foundation
KANSAS CITY, MO
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
262
Total Given
$57.4M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Greater Salina Community Foundation
SALINA, KS
Assets
$318.9M
Grants
328
Total Given
$24.1M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Land O'lakes Foundation
ST PAUL, MN
Assets
—
Grants
868
Total Given
$5.8M
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
The Us Charitable Gift Trust
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
6,518
Total Given
$231.4M
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
KANSAS CITY, MO
Assets
—
Grants
645
Total Given
$2.0M
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
The Pfizer Foundation Inc
NEW YORK, NY
Assets
$255.3M
Grants
9,306
Total Given
$23.2M
Raymond James Charitable Endowment Fund
ST PETERSBURG, FL
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
6,906
Total Given
$288.7M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Greater Northwest Kansas Community on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Greater Northwest Kansas Community to a real strategy.