Western Kansas Community Foundation recently announced the recipients of its Fall 2025 grant cycle, awarding more than $201,000 through three community-focused grant opportunities: the “Our Community, Our Future (OCOF)” Benchmark Grants, the November Community Grants, and annual surprise Christmas Grants supporting senior centers across the region.
WKCF awarded four $15,000 OCOF Benchmarking grants, one for each community participating in the Foundation’s benchmarking initiative, for high-impact projects designed to support long-term community vitality.
Recipients include:
● Linger Gig Lab (Cimarron) – “A New Space for Community & Learning”
● Hugoton Lions Club (Hugoton) – “Inclusive Sensory Park”
● Lakin Community Empowerment Group (Lakin) – “Sidewalk Solutions”
● Family Destiny / Youth Hangout (Liberal) – “Paintball Field Clean Up”
The WKCF Board also approved 24 Community grants totaling $117,288.10, supporting nonprofits across the region. Funded organizations and award amounts include:
- Cimarron Animal Action Team – “Cimarron TNR” $2,425.41
- City of Cimarron – “Mommy & Me Toddler Playground” $9,934
- City of Leoti – “SCBA Replacement” $5,000
- Finney County Humane Society – “Pet Responsibilities Materials” $3,500
- Great Plains MakerSpace – “Building the Future of GPMS” $5,000
- Greeley County Health Services – “Little Docs Daycare Outdoor Play” $5,000
- Grow & Learn Childcare Center – “Sustaining Rural Childcare” $8,000
- Hickok/HPEC Playgroup – “Hickok/HPEC Playgroup” $3,000
- HirePaths – “Garden City Career Hunt” $2,500
- Kearny County Historical Society – “Operational Funding” $5,000
- Meade County Community Foundation – “Foundant Startup Costs” $4,337.33
- Miles of Smiles – “Welder-Generator” $5,000
- Mosaic – “Travel Without Lifting” $2,800
- Red Dog Children’s Museum – “Foundation Exhibit” $9,848.36
- Satanta Area Arts Council – “Creative Tribe” $2,421
- Scott County Historical Society – “Fossil Lab Equipment” $2,500
- Special Olympics Kansas – “Unified Champion Schools” $2,400
- Stevens County Housing Authority – “Inspection Repairs” $4,022
- Syracuse Christian Academy – “Project Mini-Splits” $5,000
- The Stepping Stone Shelter – “Kitchen Expansion” $4,100
- Turning Point Church of the Nazarene – “Community Cultural Day 2026” $3,000
- United School Administrators Leaders KS – “Western Kansas Career Showcases” $2,500
- Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center – “Smart Boards in Interviews” $10,000
- YMCA of Southwest Kansas – “Pool Equipment Upgrade” $10,000
In keeping with WKCF’s annual tradition, the Foundation approved $24,500 in surprise Christmas grants to senior-serving organizations across western Kansas.
Each county in the WKCF service area will receive $1,500, divided among recipient senior centers, and an additional $2,000 will support the Dominican Sisters Ministry of Presence.
Christmas grant recipients include:
● Finney County Senior Center
● Grant County Senior Center
● Gray County Over 50 Center
● Community Hall Senior Center
● Melven O. Kuder Senior Center
● Hamilton County Senior Center
● Pride of Life
● Happy Agers
● Kearny County Senior Center
● The JOY Center
● Beam Center
● Young At Heart
● Fowler Senior Center
● Elkhart Senior Center
● Rolla Senior Center
● Scott County Senior Center
● Liberal Senior Center
● Stanton County Senior Center
● Hugoton Senior Center
● Moscow Senior Center
● Wichita County Senior Center
The Western Kansas Community Foundation serves a 15-county region, supporting nonprofits, and students through grants and scholarships, and working to strengthen southwest Kansas by connecting generosity with local impact.
Staff of the WKCF welcome visits with donors or those interested in contributing to the unrestricted funds that provide funding for community projects and programs.
The next grant deadline is March 1, 2026, and will open early next year.
To learn more about the application process and grant guidelines visit the WKCF website at www.wkcf.org, call at 620-271-9484 or stop by the office at 402 N. Main Street in downtown Garden City.
