Heartland Community Foundation
This Fall 2026 grant cycle will mark the final time the Heartland Community Foundation uses its current twice-yearly grant cycle. For more than a decade, the Foundation has accepted grant applications twice a year, with deadlines of May 15 and November 15.
Beginning in 2027, the Foundation will move to a more frequent grant cycle, with at least eight application opportunities throughout the year.
The change is designed to give local nonprofit organizations and other eligible applicants more flexibility and more timely access to grant funding, rather than requiring organizations to wait several months for the next May or November deadline.
“We know that community needs don’t always follow a twice-a-year calendar,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director of the Heartland Community Foundation. “Moving to more frequent grant opportunities will give organizations more chances to apply when a need or project arises and will allow us to respond with grant dollars in a more timely way.”
Additional details about the 2027 grant schedule, application process, and funding opportunities will be announced later this fall.
Organizations planning ahead should know that if they are unable to meet the November 15, 2026, deadline, there will be additional opportunities to apply beginning early in 2027.
Eligible projects must be based in Ellis, Rooks, or Trego counties and will undergo a competitive evaluation process. Nonprofit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and churches are all encouraged to apply. All applications must be submitted online by the deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 15. Detailed funding criteria and the application form can be found at https://heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/grants/
For further inquiries, please reach out to Sarah Meitner, executive director, at 785-621-4090, Savannah Downing, Trego Development Director, at 785-743-3270, or Deanna Hammerschmidt, Rooks Development Director, at 785-688-5098.
To learn more about the Heartland Community Foundation, make a donation to one of our managed funds, or apply for a grant, please visit www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org. You can easily make a charitable gift by clicking the GIVE ONLINE button.
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