Heartland Community Foundation
The Heartland Community Foundation recently awarded $126,829.85 to local organizations in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County during our spring/summer grant cycle. In total, the community foundation helped fund 42 projects -- including 12 that were fully funded and 28 that were partially funded.
Grant dollars were awarded from the foundation’s permanent endowed funds, including the Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County Legacy Funds – our largest granting funds. As these funds grow with time, patience, continued investment, and donor generosity, the Heartland Community Foundation will be able to grant even more and continue to make a lasting impact in the region.
Ellis County
In Ellis County, $46,748,53 was distributed to these organizations:
• $2,929.94 to Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas for their Teaching to Save Lives project, providing essential training to staff
• $5,000 to the Ellis County Youth Action Council for their Bison on the Loose public art project
• $5,000 to the Hays Med Foundation for SANE SDFI 11 Camera System used in forensic nursing
• $4,047 to the Hays Arts Council for the Kansas Native Ecology Interactive Mural that will be installed near the Downtown Pavilion
• $5,000 to the Ellis County Historical Society for the site code blueprint for the new museum in Victoria
• $2,500 to First Call for Help for their Nourish the Need project to provide food boxes from the pantry
• $1,500 to STEM Harvest toward a new 3D printers for their Prototyping in Hyperspeed
• $2,000 to USD 489 for the Hays High School Trap Team for supplies and safety equipment
• $6,869.53 to the Hays Public Library toward new tables for the Kansas Room remodel
• $5,000 to the Ellis Recreation Commission for a new scoreboard at the Creekside baseball field
• $3,200 to St. Mary’s Parish for benches that will be placed along a new walking trail
• $550 to Hays Community Theatre toward the upcoming Children’s production
• $1,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Ellis County toward supplies and installation of a new community garden
• $1,800 to USD 388 for Ellis High School to put toward guitars and materials for a new a guitar instruction class
Rooks County
In Rooks County, $37,850.47 was distributed to these organizations:
• $3,838.67 to the Rooks Count Youth Action Council in Plainville for raised garden beds and a collaborative project at Red Bud Village
• $3,588 to USD 270 for picnic tables at a new outdoor fitness area
• $4,000 to Rooks County Free Fair toward new bleachers
• $5,750 to Rooks County toward tanks for the watering system upgrades at the Rooks County Golf Course
• $1,500 to Damar Community Foundation toward the park expansion plans, including improvements to the park shelter
• $2,000 to Sacred Heart Parish toward a new gaga ball pit and agility set for the school’s PE program
• $4,000 to the Rooks County Youth Action Council in Palco toward two murals, one in Damar and one in Palco
• $3,400 to the City of Stockton for new picnic tables and benches in the Stockton City Park, includes $400 grant from the Stockton Community Fund
• $2,500 to the Stockton Recreation Commission toward a new storage/concession structure at the City Park ballpark, includes $400 grant from the Stockton Community Fund
• $4,6784.80 to Rooks County Healthcare Foundation toward VScan Portable Ultrasound units for Rooks County Health Center
• $1,000 to the Rooks County Historical Society for the Cowboy Christmas Poetry Gathering and Open House planned for next December
• $400 to Stockton Methodist Church of Restoration from the Stockton Community Fund toward child care
• $400 to The Stock Town Foundation from the Stockton Community Fund toward Red Fest 2024
• $400 to Stockton Public Library from the Stockton Community Fund toward digitization of microfilm of old newspapers
• $400 to the Stockton Rodders from the Stockton Community Fund toward the building
Trego County
In Trego County, $42,230.85 was distributed to these organizations:
• $6,000 to USD 208 for a new concession popcorn machine, utilized by numerous student groups for fundraising
• $2,295 to USD 208 to purchase a new Yamaha 3 valve Euphonium for the band department
• $10,995 to WaKeeney Saddle Club for new bleachers and picnic tables
• $1,525 to USD 208 for fourth and fifth graders to attend the AmeriTown experience multiple times and purchase the associated curriculum
• $1,500 to Heritage of our Forefathers for a door repair at St. Michaels Church in Collyer
• $2,500 to USD 208 Recreation Commission toward new jerseys, pants, and shoulder pads for the WaKeeney Jr. Eagles football and cheer participants
• $5,000 to USD 208 toward new tables in the grade school cafeteria
• $2,239.70 to USD 208 for robotics supplies that will be used at the grade school
• $2,000 to USD 208 for a new Yamaha Digital Piano that will be used at the grade school
• $1,000 to USD 208 for football guardian caps to improve safety for players
• $5,000 to Heritage of our Forefathers for maintenance at the cemetery
This round of grants was made possible by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, which focuses on improving quality of life throughout the county; the Ellis County, Rooks County, and Trego County Legacy Funds; the Heartland Healthy Living Fund and the Kansas Health Foundation Fund for Heartland Community; the Heartland Action Fund; and the Stockton Community Fund.
The foundation’s next grant cycle opens Sept. 15, with online applications due Nov. 15.
For more information, visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org.