Ina Calkins Trust Grant

The Ina Calkins Charitable Trust, guided by a community board, provides grant funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in Kansas City, Missouri. The Trust distributes approximately $200,000 annually in support of a broad set of charitable priorities defined by the wishes of Mrs. Ina Calkins. Each year, the Trust invites proposals that align with its mission to promote moral, educational, and humanitarian initiatives that serve Kansas City residents. Decisions on all proposals are communicated to applicants by the end of November. The Trust’s funding scope is defined by eight legacy-aligned categories, including public education about the benefits of abstinence from alcoholic beverages; meeting the physical needs of elderly individuals over age 60; providing care and home placement for children lacking sufficient familial support; medical or surgical aid for poor children with disabilities; education support for those pursuing careers in social service; endowment support for colleges and universities located in Kansas City that serve local youth; and support for the work or infrastructure of YMCAs and YWCAs operating within Kansas City. While all funding must benefit residents and institutions located in Kansas City, Missouri, grants supporting education about alcohol abstinence may be distributed statewide in Missouri. Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are both located in and serving the Kansas City, Missouri community. The Trust does not consider applications from organizations outside this geographic boundary, except for those applying under the specific educational clause related to alcohol abstinence. The Trust encourages organizations operating within its eligibility framework to carefully review Mrs. Calkins’ outlined priorities to ensure alignment. The application process is managed online, with a hard deadline of September 5 at 11:59 PM each year. All submissions must be completed electronically, and incomplete or late applications are not accepted. Applicants will be notified of the Trust’s decisions by the end of November. While there is no pre-application or letter of interest stage, applicants should ensure that their mission and proposed use of funds clearly align with one or more of the Trust’s designated focus areas. Funding is unrestricted in scope but must fall within the Trust’s charitable focus. While no minimum or maximum grant amount is specified for individual awards, the Trust has indicated a total annual distribution of approximately $200,000. The number and size of individual awards may vary from year to year depending on the volume and quality of applications received.

Ensure proposal directly connects to one or more specified legacy purposes; confirm geographic eligibility; submit by 11:59 PM on deadline day