The participating community foundation must submit an application to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation outlining the strategy for its matching “event.” Applications are available online through the Foundation’s website.

Each community foundation will select the time frame for the matching program. Any month on the calendar is available. Participating Foundations can host a one-day event, a month-long campaign, or something in between.

For the selected month, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will provide a 100% match for every dollar raised for the participating community foundation’s endowed unrestricted community grant fund, up to a maximum of $50,000 per county.

The application will be available starting March 18 online on the Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s website, www.danehansenfoundation.org.

• Click on Hansen Grants.
• Then Community Foundation Matching Grant Initiative.

This is an invitation only application requiring a password to access.

Each county will select one month to host its event. Participating Foundations can host a one-day event, a month-long campaign, or something in between.

A grant report will be due at the end of the month following the matching event. The matching grant will be disbursed following receipt of the report.

An important aspect of the initiative is the opportunity for community foundations to market their community grant programs to donors. It is not the intent of the initiative that contributions be received or limited to current donors or friends of the foundations, however there is no limit on the amount a single donor can contribute and still qualify for the match.

Each participating community foundation will receive a $1,500 grant to be used to promote the matching program to donors and the community.

Participating community foundations will be responsible for communicating the opportunity to donors, collecting contributions and reporting back to the Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

A final report will be due by the last day of the month following the community foundation’s matching month. Once the report is received, the matching grant will be processed.

For counties that may have more than one community foundation, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will work with the foundation where it has an established relationship for the pass-through community grant funds. Only one community foundation per county will be eligible to participate.

For the purpose of this initiative, endowment is defined as a permanent fund designed to generate annual income for community grants. Foundations can choose to define endowment as annual income or as a targeted percentage for the annual distribution (such as 5% of the annual fund balance).

For the purpose of this initiative, community grant fund is defined as a permanently endowed fund that will award grants at least annually to meet community needs. Grants are determined by a board or committee made up of local citizens. Distributions are not intended for the foundation’s own administrative support.

The Hansen Foundation recognizes that, like all organizations, community foundations need operating revenue to effectively conduct business. Funds are needed to maintain websites, host events, pay for materials, hire staff, etc.  To help with this, the Hansen Foundation offers a bonus match. Donors who contribute to the countywide grant funds receive the 100% match on their gift. In addition, the Hansen Foundation gives the local community foundation an additional 50% match for a permanent operating endowment. Community Foundations that raise the full $50,000 for the grant fund also receive $20,000 for an operating endowment and $5,000 for immediate operating needs. These bonus grants are prorated for foundations who raise less than the total.

No. Since 2014, the Hansen Foundation has established relationships and provided funding through local community foundations to re-grant in each of the 26 counties of Northwest Kansas. The Matching Grant Initiative does not replace or affect that program in any way.