Grants

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​1. Sponsorship Requests (Up to $500)
Our Sponsorship Grant Program supports local events, seasonal activities, and community gatherings that bring people together across Sheridan County.

 

Ideal for:

Community celebrations, fundraisers, youth activities, and annual events that enhance local quality of life.

 

Program Highlights:

• Awards of up to $500 per request

• Approximately 10 sponsorships awarded each year

• Maximum of $500 per organization per year

• Simple, streamlined application

 

Application Deadline: Last day of each month

 

Examples of supported events include:  community recreation seasons, benefit walks and runs, fairs and rodeos, school and youth activities, holiday celebrations, and other local traditions.

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2. Small Grants (Up to $1,000)
Designed to help organizations move projects forward quickly, Small Grants support programs, supplies, equipment, and short-term community needs.

 

Program Highlights:

• Grants of $1,000 or less

• Simple online application

• Reviewed monthly

 

Application Deadline: Last day of each month

 

Funding decisions are made based on available grant funds and community impact.

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3. Larger Project Grants ($1,001 and Above)
For organizations planning major initiatives, capital improvements, new programs, or expanded services, SCCF offers funding through our comprehensive grant application process.

 

Program Highlights:

• Requests of $1,001 or more

• Full grant application and review process

• Reviewed monthly

 

Application Deadline: Last day of each month

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Funding is awarded based on project scope, community benefit, and available resources.

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Questions?

Call 785-677-5090 or email director@growsheridancounty.org

Grantmaking Guidelines

 

Who Can Apply
We award grants to organizations working to improve the quality of life in Sheridan County, Kansas.

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Eligible applicants include:

• Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)(3) status from the IRS

• Educational institutions

• Governmental entities (city, county, or state)

• Religious institutions (for community-serving, non-religious purposes)

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Please note: Some nonprofit organizations operate under different IRS codes and may not qualify. If your organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, you may consider partnering with an eligible organization to serve as a fiscal sponsor. Before applying, please contact us at 785-677-5090 or director@growsheridancounty.org to discuss this option.

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General Grantmaking Criteria
We support projects and programs that benefit Sheridan County residents and strengthen local communities. Organizations based outside Sheridan County may apply if their project directly benefits Sheridan County.

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Examples of eligible projects include:

• Community programs or services that meet local needs or advance your organization’s mission

• Seed funding to launch new projects, programs, or organizations (including start-up operating costs)

• Capacity building to strengthen organizational effectiveness — such as technology or equipment upgrades, professional development, staff expansion, or training

• Capital improvements including facility renovation or new construction

• Endowment support to ensure long-term sustainability of a program or organization

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Grantmaking Restrictions
The Sheridan County Community Foundation is committed to strengthening our community and reserves the right to decline any request that does not align with our mission or grantmaking priorities.

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Tax-Supported Entities

Applications from tax-supported entities (such as schools, municipalities, and other government bodies) are eligible for consideration. However, applicants are encouraged to:

• Seek additional funding sources, and

• Demonstrate local investment (“skin in the game”) by contributing a portion of their own financial resources.

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Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors, grants will not be made for:

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• Discrimination:  Projects or organizations that practice discrimination of any kind

• Retroactive funding:  Expenses or events occurring before the official grant award date

• Operating deficits or debt:  Retirement of debt or general operating shortfalls

• Individuals or private benefit:  Direct grants to individuals or projects providing substantial personal or business benefit

• Political or lobbying activities:  Efforts to influence legislation or support political candidates

• Religious purposes:  Activities intended for worship, proselytization, or religious instruction (faith-based organizations remain eligible for communitywide-serving projects that extend beyond a particular faith/denomination)

• Non-compliance:  Applicants with overdue reports or unresolved issues from prior Foundation grants

 

Restrictions may be updated periodically to reflect evolving community needs and best practices in philanthropy.

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Required Application Documents

Please prepare and upload the following materials with your online grant application:

 

• Authorization letter granting the applicant permission to apply on behalf of the organization

• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (except for government, educational, or religious entities)

• Recent financial statement (e.g., income statement, balance sheet, or annual budget – full audits not required)

• Project budget

  • Simple budgets may be entered directly into the application.

  • Complex budgets may be uploaded using the downloadable spreadsheet provided.

• Current list of board members and their respective positions

• Up to three letters of support (optional but highly encouraged)

 

Review Process
Grant applications are submitted online through our host foundation’s (The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation) grants portal.

 

Applications are reviewed by the Sheridan County Community Foundation Board of Directors.

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• Applicants are typically notified by email within 30 days of the application deadline.

• In some cases, review may take up to 60 days.

• If additional information is required, applicants may be notified that their proposal is tabled until the next review cycle.

 

Final Project Report
All grant recipients are required to submit a final report within 30 days of project completion (extensions may be granted with prior approval).

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Reports must include:

• Receipts or a financial summary showing how grant funds were used

• At least one project photo (up to three allowed)

• Photos featuring people are preferred.

  • By uploading photos, you consent to their use in Foundation marketing materials or social media.

  • Please do not submit photos of individuals without their consent.

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Unused Funds
Any unused grant funds must be returned to:

 

Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation
PO Box 593
Bird City, KS 67731

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Returned funds will be credited back to the appropriate Sheridan County grantmaking fund(s).

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Discretionary Grantmaking
The Sheridan County Community Foundation Board of Directors reserves the right to allocate funding at its discretion — even without a formal application — when necessary to address emerging community needs or unique opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission.

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All discretionary grants will follow established oversight and accountability procedures.