The Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s primary service area includes the 26 most Northwest Kansas counties.

Consideration will be given to proposals from organizations outside the primary service area if the proposal provides substantial benefits to the people or communities within the primary service area.

Grants are made only to qualifying organizations.  Please note: a state sales tax exemption does not complete this requirement.

Applicants must qualify as one of the following:

• Organizations that have applied for and received an Internal Revenue Service ruling that the organization qualifies as a public charity or supporting organization and is exempt from tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Organizations that are governmental bodies or subdivisions of governmental bodies. Examples include cities, counties, fire departments, hospitals or libraries.
• Organizations that qualify under a blanket exemption ruling granted to a parent organization. Examples include local 4-H Clubs, Boy Scout troops, and many religious organizations.

*Applications that do not qualify under one of the above will NOT be considered.

• Requests for capital projects or purchases require submission of a written bid or quote.
• Most grant terms are one year, however, requests for multi-year grants may be considered.
• The Foundation will consider grant proposals from divisional institutions, such as Universities, only when those proposals bear the approval or the written endorsement of an authorized institutional official. For Universities, the signature of the College President is required.
• Proposals related to K-12 grade level institutions require the signature of the Principal.
• NEW – Proposals by supporting entities such as health care or education foundations or “friends” organizations applying for funds that will directly benefit another organization, i.e.; the hospital, clinic, college, university, etc. must submit financial statements for BOTH the applying organization and the organization that will receive the direct benefit.

The Hansen Foundation will NOT consider proposals for the following:

• Political projects of any kind
• Normal organizational operating expenses (exceptions may be considered in the establishment of a new organization)
• Degree programs
• Organizations without tax exempt 501(c)(3) status
• Private foundations
• Grants to individuals (with the exception of the Foundation’s scholarship program)
• Organizations that practice discrimination by race, ancestry, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin or any other protected class specified by Federal, State, or Local Law.

The following documents are required and must be uploaded as a part of the application:

• Proof of IRS or public charity status (NOT a state sales tax exemption)
• A completed budget (Download the DGH Budget Sheet)
• A copy of a bid or quote (Required for capital requests)
• Income Statement and Balance Sheet — Do not send a full audit report.

  NEW:  Proposals by supporting entities such as health care or education foundations or “friends” organizations applying for funds that will directly benefit another organization, i.e.; the hospital, clinic, college, university, etc. must submit financial statements for BOTH the applying organization and the organization that will receive the direct benefit.

  • The income statement shows income (what you brought in), expenses (what you spent) and net profit (the difference between what you brought in and what you spent) for a specific period of time, such as: from January 1 to December 31, 2020. (Download a sample Income Statement.)
  • The balance sheet shows assets (what you own), liabilities (what you owe), and net worth (the difference between what you own and what you owe) as of a specific date, such as: December 31, 2020. (Download a sample Balance Sheet.)
• List of board members (Name and title – no bios).
• Additional documents and up to 3 letters of support (Not required)

Grants are made only to qualifying organizations. Applicants must qualify as one of the following:

• Organizations that have applied for and received an Internal Revenue Service ruling that the organization qualifies as a public charity or supporting organization and is exempt from tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Organizations that are governmental bodies or subdivisions of governmental bodies (such as cities, counties, fire departments or libraries).
• Organizations that qualify under a blanket exemption ruling granted to a parent organization. Examples include local 4-H Clubs, Boy Scout troops, and many religious organizations.

*Applications that do not qualify under one of the above will not be considered.

Applications should be submitted ahead of the need. In other words, before a project or program has started. There is about a 4-week time lag between application deadline and announcement of funded grants. Applicants should plan ahead when requesting funding. The Hansen Foundation does not generally fund applications for requests that are already well-underway or completed.

Applications must be submitted using our online application. Paper applications will not be accepted. First-time applicants, or applicants using the new online form for the first time will be required to create an account or profile for the applying organization. Subsequent applications from the same organization will not need to repeat this step.

Applications are received and reviewed by Foundation staff. All grants that meet the Foundation’s criteria are reviewed by the Foundation Trustees. Applicants are notified of the Trustees’ decision via email.

Successful applicants are required to complete an online grant agreement. Once the agreement is received, Foundation staff will process the grant. Grant checks are generally mailed within 10 days following receipt of the grant agreement.

Grant recipients are required to complete a grant report at the completion of the program or project for which the grant was received. Grant reports are submitted via the Foundation’s online grant process.

In an effort to fulfill our mission, the Trustees will award grants with priority given to applications that will best enhance both the current and future quality of life in Northwest.

Applications for significant grants or major funding projects are reviewed using the following considerations:

• Is the project or program supported by funding partners or is the request to the Hansen Foundation the sole funder?
• Does the application reflect leadership, expertise, collaboration or partnerships to support successful completion of the project or program?
• Does the program or project benefit multiple counties or communities?
• Is the application for a program or project that appears to be sustainable or provide long-term benefit?
• Is the project or proposal focused on job creation or work force preparedness?
• Will the project or program have a “ripple effect?” i.e. will it enhance or encourage additional community benefit or economic development?
• Has the program or project previously received a Hansen grant? (Receipt of a grant to a particular project or program in no way indicates that additional funds will be granted for the same project).

The summer reading grant is designed to specifically address “summer slide.”  The application addresses elements that research shows must be present for a summer reading program to successfully move the learning needle.

Successful grant applications will address three important elements:

Access – How will the children get to the books, or how will the books get to the children. Offering a program and hoping children will come is not enough to reach the children who need it most.

Choice – We know that allowing children to self-select from a choice of age-appropriate titles is a critical element in getting them to read.

Discussion – The opportunity to talk about the text with peers and/or adults reinforces the text and takes the learning to a higher level.

Grant applications for summer will be accepted on a monthly basis until April 25. Applications received by 9:00 a.m. on the 25th day of the month will be considered the following month.

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NW Kansas Arts grants are designed to bring more arts events to Northwest Kansas by assisting with the artist fee/contract. Applicants are required to secure funding for expenses beyond the artist contract, such as facility rental, food, marketing, etc.

A single application is available for the NW Kansas Arts Events Grant. It includes events in partnership with the Mid-America Arts Alliance or events featuring Kansas-based artists.  Applications are accepted at any time, following the Foundation’s regular monthly grant schedule.

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