Funding Amount

US $25,000 - US $500,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Deadline history & next window

Cycle
Twice a year
Tracked since
April 2026

From the program guidelines: “Note: The Patterson Family Foundation reviews grant applications in two cycles, allowing us to disburse funds as efficiently as possible.”

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Nonprofit Status:

Geography

  • Located within the Foundation's Kansas and western Missouri catchment and possess nonprofit status
  • Located in or serving a county or community within the Patterson Family Foundation’s Kansas or western Missouri catchment

Required status

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Other requirements

  • Location:
  • Read more about the Patterson Family Foundation’s philanthropic catchment.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: The Patterson Family Foundation can only provide funding for charitable activities, therefore, we do not plan to fund for-profit entities through our active grant programs.
  • Not eligible: Projects working in or serving communities outside our catchment will not be eligible for grant funding

Overview

The Patterson Family Foundation is inviting innovative proposals to enhance community engagement in rural areas. To apply, organizations must be located within the Foundation's Kansas and western Missouri catchment and possess nonprofit status. Early submission of the Letter of Intent is highly recommended for timely review.

Note: The Patterson Family Foundation reviews grant applications in two cycles, allowing us to disburse funds as efficiently as possible. LOIs submitted by February 18th will be considered part of round one and the deadline for these applications will be April 3rd. LOIs submitted after February 18th will be considered part of round two, and the deadline for these applications will be June 29th.
Registration is required before applying. This is represented by the pre-proposal deadline above. All registration requests are reviewed for eligibility before access to the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) application is granted.
Committed to your community.
The Patterson Family Foundation, based in Kansas City, Missouri, is a family-led foundation that extends the legacy of Neal and Jeanne Patterson. The Foundation’s mission, “Working together to help rural communities thrive,” is carried forward through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives that serve rural counties across Kansas and western Missouri.
Strategies for Thriving Rural Communities
A strong and engaged community is built on essentials like access to good jobs, quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and a sense of belonging. That’s why we focus on working with local leaders, businesses, and organizations to invest in the areas that matter most, ensuring that rural places don’t just get by but thrive for generations to come.
The Patterson Family Foundation is excited to invite creative proposals aimed at enhancing community engagement in rural communities. We’re looking to fund projects that explore new ideas with the potential for long-term impact and growth of community involvement of all generations of rural residents.

Eligibility

Location:

  • Organizations located in or serving a county or community within the Patterson Family Foundation’s Kansas or western Missouri catchment are eligible to apply.
  • Read more about the Patterson Family Foundation’s philanthropic catchment.
  • Nonprofit Status:
  • Applicants need to be a 501(c)(3) organization, school district, or government entity.

Ineligibility

The Patterson Family Foundation can only provide funding for charitable activities, therefore, we do not plan to fund for-profit entities through our active grant programs.
Projects working in or serving communities outside our catchment will not be eligible for grant funding

What Patterson Family Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, 2021

Grants in 2021
607
Total given
$22.3M
Median grant
$6,300
Range
$144–$2.5M
  • By dollars: Kansas 53%, Missouri 45%, Colorado <1%. Top recipient cities: Kansas City, MO; Topeka, KS; Chanute, KS.
  • 1% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Example grants

  • American Royal Association · Kansas City, MO

    2nd of 4 annual payments - building campaign

    $2.5M

  • Kansas City University · Kansas City, MO

    1st of 5 annual installments on pledge

    $1.8M

  • The Pembroke Hill School · Kansas City, MO

    3rd of 4 annual installments

    $1M

  • Sprout House Learning Center · Lindsborg, KS

    Sprout house capital campaign

    $846K

  • Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship Inc · Andover, KS

    Network kansas operational grant

    $500K

IRS Form 990-PF, 2021. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Community development
  • Community services

Categories

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