Community Needs Grant

The Community Needs Open Call Grant offered by the Patterson Family Foundation aims to strengthen the livability and appeal of rural communities in Kansas and western Missouri. This grant supports projects that enhance local infrastructure, foster resident engagement, and improve the long-term vibrancy of rural areas. Specifically, it targets initiatives that encourage residents to remain in their communities and attract former residents to return by investing in meaningful spaces, services, and place-based assets. The Foundation sees this work as essential to reversing population decline, enhancing social connectedness, and cultivating a strong sense of local pride and identity. Eligible projects under this opportunity focus on improvements that create environments where residents feel connected, supported, and motivated to remain or return. The Foundation encourages applications that demonstrate inclusive community involvement, visible impact on quality of life, and alignment with regional values. Grantees are expected to report on participation rates, physical improvements to community spaces, and signs of improved resident engagement or retention. While community foundations are often local partners, applicants are encouraged to seek their support when available but are not required to do so. The scope of funded activities is broad but centered on tangible, community-driven initiatives. Prioritized examples include Main Street revitalization efforts such as adaptive reuse, façade updates, and enhanced public spaces; the upgrading of community gathering places like parks, libraries, and multipurpose venues; and local storytelling projects that elevate a town's unique identity through branding and outreach. Projects using tourism and events to reconnect former residents, such as heritage festivals or alumni visits, are also considered within scope, especially when they foster long-term reconnection and local investment. Applicants must serve or be located within the Foundation’s rural catchment area—119 counties in Kansas and western Missouri with fewer than 50,000 residents. Organizations must be classified as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public school districts, or government entities, or they may apply under fiscal sponsorship with an eligible lead entity. The Foundation encourages community-driven leadership and demonstrates flexibility in supporting various project types, though capital requests must show strong community support. The maximum award for Community Needs grants is $250,000. The application process begins in the Patterson Family Foundation's Grants Portal, where eligible organizations submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). If selected to advance, applicants complete a full application, including budget details, financial documentation, and a narrative proposal. Two funding rounds are available each year: for 2026, Round 1 LOIs are due by February 18, with full applications due April 3. Round 2 LOIs are due May 13, with full applications due June 29. Award notifications follow in June and September, with funding disbursed the next month. Applicants should prepare thoroughly, as LOIs and applications cannot be edited after submission. Questions should be submitted via the Grants Portal to connect with Program Officers, and applicants are encouraged to pursue local foundation support when applicable. Once approved, grantees may publicize their partnership with the Foundation, though funding is not confirmed until a formal award letter is issued.

Applicants encouraged to seek support from local community foundations; prioritize retention and resident engagement outcomes.