The Hutchinson Community Foundation is now accepting proposals for its 2026 Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) grants, offering local youth-serving organizations the opportunity to secure funding for impactful programs that support Reno County students.
Each spring, the Youth Philanthropy Council—comprised of high school students from across Reno County—awards approximately $5,000 in grants from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy. The fund was established by the Dillon family to honor Dick Dillon and his extensive philanthropic contributions to Hutchinson and the greater Reno County community.
The deadline to submit proposals for the 2026 grants is January 15, with awards announced in March.
Organizations interested in applying can review guidelines and submit proposals online at hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/available-grants. Questions may be directed to Senior Program Officer Jan Steen at [email protected] or 620-663-5293.
The Youth Philanthropy Council is a youth-led grantmaking program aimed at educating students about community needs, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership. YPC members are recruited from high schools across Reno County and take part in every stage of the grantmaking process. Their responsibilities include:
• Identifying and prioritizing needs affecting local youth • Establishing criteria for selecting youth-focused proposals • Reviewing grant submissions • Making final decisions on funding • Awarding grants to selected organizations
Through this hands-on experience, YPC members learn how philanthropy shapes communities while supporting programs that directly benefit their peers. Each year’s grant cycle continues the legacy of the Dillon family’s commitment to youth and community enrichment.