SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Community Foundation is continuing its focus on housing, community development and leadership as it opens applications for the second Impact Cycle of its 2025 Fund for Reno County grants.
Established in 1990, the Fund for Reno County serves as a permanent resource to meet the evolving needs for the area. Grants are designed to support projects that reflect innovation, collaboration, critical need, or opportunities that leverage local resources to benefit the broader community.
Proposals must align with one of two priority categories:
- Community & Economic Development – Projects that strengthen the local economy through workforce development, revitalization of downtown areas, support for existing businesses and entrepreneurs, or improvements to public spaces and housing quality. The maximum request is $50,000.
- Strong Organizations – Projects that build the capacity, sustainability and resilience of Reno County’s community-based nonprofits. The maximum request is $7,500.
Applications must come from 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that serve Reno County. Individuals or groups without nonprofit status must apply through a qualified fiscal sponsor.
Proposals are due by Aug. 15 and must be submitted online through the Foundation’s Grant Lifecycle Management system, available at hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/available-grants. Questions can be directed to Program Officer Sarah Blake at [email protected] or by calling 620-663-5293.
The grant program is part of the Foundation’s broader strategy to address key community issues, including housing and blight. One of its signature efforts this year is a leadership cohort focused on housing access for vulnerable populations, a growing concern in Reno County and across rural Kansas. The cohort brings together 17 participants from across sectors to engage in training, collaboration and long-term planning.
“Housing is a complex issue,” said Kari Mailloux, director of strategy. “There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but we believe that bringing diverse voices to the table is how real progress begins.”
The Foundation launched its “Love Where You Live” empowerment campaign last year to better understand community needs. Feedback from residents helped shape current funding priorities, including a stronger focus on workforce and economic development.
“We want to help people go from wanting change to taking action,” Mailloux said. “Our grants are one way to help unlock that potential.”
Blake, who manages the Foundation’s grant and scholarship programs, said the grant process is intentionally designed to be accessible.
“We encourage organizations to contact us early,” she said. “We’re happy to walk applicants through the process and help them shape their proposals before they submit.”
The Hutchinson Community Foundation, established in 1989, manages more than 400 funds and serves as a hub for charitable giving in Reno County. It also offers free estate planning consultations through attorney John Griffin of Stewardship Counseling LLC and accepts a variety of charitable gifts, including non-cash assets.
One of the Foundation’s most visible efforts, Match Day, is held every four years to boost endowments for local nonprofits. The next Match Day is scheduled for 2028.
For more information on current initiatives, giving opportunities or grant programs, visit hutchcf.org.