L.P. "Pat" Mullen Fund

The L.P. "Pat" Mullen Fund, administered by the Greater Salina Community Foundation, is a grant program focused on supporting youth education in arts, humanities, technology, invention, and science. Established in 2007 from the estate of L.P. "Pat" Mullen, a Salina native with a passion for innovation and education, the fund aims to create hands-on learning opportunities for young people, defined as individuals aged 0-18, up to high school age. The grants target projects that either introduce new programs or enhance existing ones within Saline County, Kansas, specifically for the benefit of youth. Eligible applicants for the L.P. "Pat" Mullen Fund must propose programs or projects that cater to youth in the specified educational fields. The fund supports a variety of initiatives that encourage active learning and engagement in arts and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects, aiming to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among young participants. The grant program seeks to enable educational enrichment that goes beyond traditional classroom learning, often emphasizing experiential and interactive approaches. Organizations eligible to apply for grants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, government entities, and religious institutions. If a project is led by an individual or organization that does not fall into one of these categories, the applicant is encouraged to partner with a fiscal agent from one of the eligible groups. Applicants outside this scope may still seek consideration by contacting the Foundation to discuss alternative qualifications and any additional reporting requirements. The grant does not cover certain types of requests. Ineligible projects include those that involve political activities, organizations practicing any form of discrimination, applications that are late or incomplete, or requests aimed at resolving existing financial deficits. The fund prioritizes initiatives that clearly demonstrate a benefit to the youth population of Saline County and align with Mullen's vision for advancing education in arts, technology, and sciences. To apply, potential applicants must complete a grant application through the Foundation's online grant system. For questions or assistance regarding the grant application process, applicants can reach out to Jessica Fuller, Director of Grants and Scholarships, at 785-823-1800.