Available Grants
The Emporia Community Foundation (ECF) seeks to be a responsive and proactive community partner that works strategically to address existing and emerging community issues. Although our grants are modest, as a community foundation, we have through donor and other funds given away over $13.8 million since our inception. The ECF has a variety of grant committees that serve different purposes in meeting the needs of the community. These grant committees are composed of board members and members of the community at large. Membership changes periodically to ensure that new ideas are always considered. As a committee, the membership determines the needs of the community and seeks input where appropriate.
In addition to overseeing the grant-giving process, the ECF also serves as a conduit between some of our donor funds and other worthy groups and projects. Such groups having projects are encouraged to provide a one-page summary of their request. Such a request is forwarded to the advisor/s of the funds that may be interested in providing financial assistance.
Information regarding each grant, its guidelines, and forms are noted below.
ECF Grants
The Emporia Community Foundation makes grants for innovative and creative projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs.
Preference is given to those grants which are not directly tax-supported or agencies which do not have taxing authority.
The following schedule will be followed:
September - Grant applications accepted Sept. 1st-30th
December - Awards announced
January - Funds disbursed
79 Fund
The emphasis of the 79 Fund is to evaluate and analyze the charitable needs of the Emporia Community with emphasis on long-term improvements to the quality of lives of the children in Emporia.
In order to better serve the community, the 79 Fund has established the following application deadlines:
February 15, 2024
May 15, 2024
August 15, 2024
November 15, 2024
Chase County Community Fund
The Chase County Community Fund (CCCF) exists to improve and perpetuate the quality of life for all of the residents of Chase County.
CCCF makes grants for innovative and creative projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs.
Preference is given to those grants which are not directly tax-supported or agencies which do not have taxing authority. Generally, grants do not exceed $5,000 and operational expenses such as sports teams, uniforms, and equipment are not funded.
CCCF has two grant periods each year. Applications are accepted for the 30 days ahead of the following deadlines:
March 15, 2024
September 16, 2024
Cleve Cook / Emporia Lions Club Fund
The Cleve Cook / Emporia Lions Club Fund provides varying amounts in grants for projects and organizations designed to make a positive, long-term impact in Lyon County, Kansas. Grants may be considered for agriculture scholarships, agricultural projects, and potential agricultural business development for the Emporia/Lyon County community. Grants may be made to charitable projects as determined feasible by the Emporia Lions Club and its board of directors.
The application deadline is the following:
April 26, 2024
Emporia Public School Endowment Fund
This Fund is available as a funding resource for teachers within USD 253 to incorporate alternative learning strategies, creative teaching ideas, approaches to the accomplishment of objectives to motivate students, and activate their eagerness to be life-long learners.
Applications are accepted during the month of September each year.
Flint Hills Community Fund - Community & Rural Programs
A portion of the annual distributions of the Flint Hills Community Fund will be used to provide support for: community and rural development: museums/historic preservation; and agriculture and conservation. Grants awarded annually for the distributions will be to applicants in the following counties in this order: Chase (2020), Greenwood (2021), Lyon (2022), Morris (2023), Butler (2024)** and Marion (2025) Counties.
The application deadline is the following:
September 30, 2024
Flint Hills Community Fund - Dyslexia & Reading Programs
A portion of the annual distributions of the Flint Hills Community Fund will be used to provide support for: funding research or programs for students diagnosed with dyslexia or reading challenges. Grants awarded annually for the distributions will be to applicants in the following counties in this order: Chase (2020), Greenwood (2021), Lyon (2022), Morris (2023), Butler (2024)** and Marion (2025) Counties.
The application deadline is the following:
September 30, 2024
Growing Greenwood Fund
The Growing Greenwood Fund (GGF) exists to provide additional financial support to education-related activities, community development projects, health care projects, economic development projects, recreational projects, and other non-profit organizations in the Greenwood County service area, which promotes a better quality of life for its citizens.
GGF makes grants for innovative and creative projects and programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs.
Preference is given to organizations not directly tax-supported by agencies that have taxing authority. Operational expenses will not be funded such as salaries, utilities, or rent.
The application deadline is the following:
July 1, 2024
Sadie Jones Fund
The original focus of the Sadie Jones Fund was to provide for vision and hearing needs for individual children in Lyon and Chase counties. This fund will continue to accept those applications. The fund now also has the ability to utilize the funds to provide resources related to public health and safety projects for children in Lyon and Chase counties.
The Sadie Jones Fund has two grant periods. Applications for individuals, plus health and safety projects are at 5 p.m. the day of the deadline. (Only one application per organization per year, please.) The application deadlines are as follows:
June 3, 2024
October 1, 2024
Download Application (individuals)
Download Application (projects)
Tucker Lee Everyone Plays Fund
Tucker Lee was a 2015 graduate of Emporia High School and continued his education at Emporia State University where he was a member of the Sig Tau Gamma fraternity. He majored in Accounting and Health Promotions. He was employed at Wright CPA until his death, June 9, 2021 from NUT Carcinoma, a rare, fast-growing cancer. Growing up Tucker played on many REC and traveling teams. In high school, he played football and wrestled all 4 years. He enjoyed playing and building lifelong friendships.
In memory of Tucker’s caring nature and wanting everyone to be able to participate in athletics, The Tucker Lee Everyone Plays Fund was created in his honor with the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF). This fund is intended to help alleviate some of the financial burden on Lyon County area families, by offering financial aid to help with the cost of equipment, fees, and gear. Students in the following school districts are able to apply: USD 243 Lebo-Waverly, USD 251 North Lyon County, USD 252 Southern Lyon County, USD 253 Emporia, and USD 284 Chase County.
Scholarships will be available as long as funds are available.
Morgan Wilkie Fund
This Fund is available for funding for the proper care and comfort of old people, women and children of Emporia and Lyon County Kansas. Grants are awarded to non-profit organizations and cannot be given to individuals.
The application deadline is the following:
July 1, 2024
October 1, 2024
Earl & Stelouise Sauder Youth Assistance Fund
This Fund is available for funding youth activities in Lyon, Coffey, Chase, and Greenwood Counties in Kansas. Supported projects will support positive youth group activities for youngsters predominately ages 18 and under. Priority will be given to grants benefitting the most children.
Applications are accepted throughout the year and awarded biannually in May and November.
Online applications are accepted through the KVOE website or by using the form below.
Trusler Foundation
The Trusler Foundation is a well known and respected Foundation that has gifted significant financial resources to various organizations and projects since its inception in 1957 by Harold & Irene Trusler. Its funds may be used for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes within Lyon, Chase, and Coffey counties. Emphasis will be given to the impact of the grant on the economic development of the geographical area.
Trusler will have three grant periods. Applications are due at 5 p.m. on the day of the deadline. The applications deadlines are as follows:
Only one application per organization per year, please.
March 1, 2024
August 1, 2024
November 1, 2024
On-site tours may be requested at the Advisory Committee's discretion.
**Beginning January 1st, 2018 the minimum grant request for the Trusler Foundation will be $10,000.**
