Dane G Hansen Community Grant for Ellsworth County

The Dane G. Hansen Community Grant supports charitable projects in Northwest Kansas, providing $50,000 annually for community initiatives. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions in specified counties. Grants aim to enhance education, healthcare, economic development, and social services while prioritizing community engagement. The program, managed by the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, will conclude in 2025, encouraging diverse projects that promote local well-being and sustainability.

The Dane G. Hansen Foundation initiated a grant opportunity in March 2015 with Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation as an avenue to financially help support charitable activities in Northwest Kansas. With this funding, county-wide funds have been established, allocating grant funds to each to be used for projects benefiting the counties and/or communities within.
Fund Distribution
Annually, funding is made available for each of these county-wide funds as “pass-through” grants: $25,000 being made available in April, and an additional $25,000 in September. This grant program will sunset at the end of 2025.
Generally, there is no maximum or minimum on grant requests. Some community foundations have established a maximum request and should be noted on the grant description when you apply for the application online. It is the intent of the Hansen Foundation that the Grant Funds be used to award multiple grants in each county. Each county foundation, at its discretion may choose to establish maximum or minimum limitations for the respective county.
If the request is for significant dollars (more than $10,000), covers multiple counties within the service area, is a multi-year request, or for a project that was previously funded directly by the Hansen Foundation, it is suggested the applicant apply directly to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.
Grants can address:
Education: Enhances the learning environment and expands opportunities for students in Northwest Kansas. Provides increased self-reliance on personal life skills and workforce capability.
Health Care: Ensure access to quality health care services and promotes healthy life practices.
Economic Development: Development of a robust and sustainable economy includes a diversity of businesses and quality job opportunities.
Community Social Services & Security: Enhance access to social services needed for individuals of special needs and supports systems to provide community disaster relief and general community emergencies.
Arts & Culture: Provide cultural and artistic opportunities to enhance the quality of life for local residents and to encourage tourism and the exchange of ideas.
Community Beautification: Support efforts to improve and maintain public spaces to enhance community pride and encourage socialization among residents.

Eligibility

Grants are made to nonprofit organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and Educational, Governmental, and Religious Institutions. Please note – there are many nonprofit organizations that fall under a different IRS tax code that are not eligible. Please look into this prior to filling out your application.Qualifying counties eligible for participation through GNWKCF include: Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Phillips, Osborne, Rawlins, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas and Wallace.

Ineligibility

Grants are not made to individuals or businesses.Grants shall not be used to reduce or replace regular budgetary needs for programs or projects that are tax-supported.Grants are not awarded for endowment or general operating expenses.Grants are not to be used for “Match Day” programs.