Trusler Foundation Grant Program

The Trusler Foundation was established in 1957 by Harold and Irene Trusler and has since become a notable philanthropic entity supporting a range of initiatives in east-central Kansas. With decades of history, the foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Lyon, Chase, and Coffey counties. The foundation's long-standing reputation stems from its consistent support for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational purposes that foster development and community betterment within its designated service area. The overarching goal of the Trusler Foundation’s grantmaking is to support programs that create tangible improvements within these three counties. While the funder accepts applications across a broad spectrum of focus areas—ranging from education to the arts and sciences—it places particular emphasis on initiatives that have measurable impacts on local economic development. The foundation prioritizes proposals that demonstrate a clear connection to job creation, workforce improvement, or increased access to economic opportunities within the region. To be considered for funding, applicants must ensure their requests fall within the foundation's geographic scope and programmatic interests. All proposed use of funds must align with the foundation's core mission and support eligible purposes, which include charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational initiatives. Requests must meet the minimum funding threshold, which, effective January 1, 2018, is $10,000. No maximum award amount is specified, but the foundation encourages applicants to request funding proportionate to the scope and impact of their projects. The Trusler Foundation offers three application windows annually, with strict deadlines: March 3, August 1, and November 3. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the respective deadline day. Only one application per organization is permitted each calendar year, making strategic timing and planning critical for interested applicants. Though no specific pre-application steps or Q&A periods are indicated, the Advisory Committee may opt to conduct on-site tours at their discretion to better understand the applicant's operations and proposed impact. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the foundation's mission, geographic eligibility, the project's anticipated economic impact, and the clarity and feasibility of the proposed outcomes. While no detailed evaluation rubric or reviewer criteria are disclosed, applicants should ensure that their submissions are thorough, outcomes-driven, and demonstrate a deep understanding of community needs within the target counties. No direct contact details are provided for foundation staff in the available information. Applicants should prepare to submit a well-structured application with all required materials by the applicable deadline. Given the foundation's focus on regional impact and economic development, applicants should highlight metrics, community feedback, or prior success to bolster their proposals. Given the recurring deadlines and annual limits per organization, applicants are advised to plan ahead and apply strategically to increase their chance of success.