Heartland Community Foundation
The Heartland Community Foundation granted a record $691,954.80 to local nonprofits and community organizations during its fiscal year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. This is the largest annual distribution in the foundation’s history — nearly $265,000 more than last year’s $426,339.10.
In total, the Heartland Community Foundation awarded 207 grants to 115 organizations, with dollars reaching communities across Ellis County ($320,872.43), Rooks County ($230,204.04), Trego County ($102,752.69), and other counties ($38,125.61). Since 2014, HCF has granted nearly $5.3 million throughout the area.
At the core of Heartland’s mission is the belief that strong nonprofits create strong communities. The community foundation serves as a bridge — connecting local generosity with local needs — and ensures charitable dollars raised are granted back into the region to strengthen nonprofit organizations and build long-term capacity.
“Seeing nearly $700,000 granted back into our communities this year fills me with both pride and gratitude,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director of Heartland Community Foundation. “These dollars aren’t just numbers on a page — they represent stronger nonprofits, expanded services, and the caring spirit of our donors.”
Grants from Heartland come in many forms: competitive grant cycles, special initiatives like the community giving day — Give Fest, or distributions made directly by organizations from their endowed funds. In every case, the outcome is the same — stronger nonprofits and greater community impact. Granting is also part of Heartland’s larger role as the local expert on charitable giving. By pooling resources and investing gifts for long-term growth, the community foundation amplifies individual giving through the power of collective generosity.
Donors who give through Heartland gain more than a tax deduction — they receive personal service, confidence that their gifts are stewarded wisely, and assurance that their dollars will have the greatest impact possible. This model means that a single gift becomes part of a larger, permanent endowment that continues giving year after year. As those funds grow, so does the foundation’s ability to support local nonprofits — creating a cycle of generosity that benefits the entire region.
Recent grants have supported efforts such as expanding food pantries, enhancing library spaces, improving access to healthcare, and strengthening community resources including the senior center, mental health services, economic development initiatives, school needs, playground improvements, and more. These investments not only meet today’s needs but also help build capacity for the future.
Much of this year’s record growth is attributed to Give Fest 2024, a community-wide giving event that mobilized donors across the region. HCF granted more than $160,000 in match dollars during that initiative to local agencies.
Heartland is already preparing for Give Fest 2025, which will be held all day on October 10, with in-person giving events in Hays, Stockton, and WaKeeney. Local nonprofits and community organizations are invited to participate in Give Fest 2025 and showcase their programs to donors across the region and earn some match dollars. Organizations must have a fund at Heartland in order to participate; the deadline to register is September 6, 2025.
“This milestone shows what’s possible when generosity is pooled and focused on the common good,” Meitner added. “Our goal is not just to meet immediate needs, but to create a foundation of support that will serve these communities for generations.”