Foundation provides nearly $1.5 million in core operating funding to 65 Kansas nonprofits

Sunflower Foundation recently awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants to help support the core operating capacities of 65 organizations serving nearly two-thirds of Kansas counties so they can better meet the critical health needs of their communities.

This initiative strengthens the capacity of nonprofits to fulfill their missions, serve their communities and bolster their impact. The grant program also provides nonprofits with opportunities to attend high-caliber learning collaboratives and skill-building workshops supported by Sunflower staff.

“Nonprofits are the lifeline of our communities,” said Sunflower Foundation President and CEO Billie Hall, adding that this type of funding will continue to be a priority for the foundation. “We are honored to call these organizations partners in our mission to improve the health and wellbeing of all Kansans. While the need for strong nonprofits is essential to communities, unfortunately, opportunities to secure valuable core operating funds remain limited."

The foundation received 267 applications through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The funding opportunity focused on grantees serving diverse populations and providing a wide range of services, including health care, housing, community safety, economic development, education, food security, social cohesion, social justice, and transportation. In addition, priorities for grant awards focused on need, underserved communities and organizations with limited resources.

“The overwhelming response to this RFP speaks to the incredible need of our nonprofit sector in Kansas,” said Elizabeth Burger, the foundation’s vice president of Healthy Communities. “Sunflower is a small foundation that serves the entire state, and we are grateful for the work of every nonprofit that reached out through this application process.”

A diverse team of experts representing the fields of public health, mental health, economic and rural development, health care, health equity, and aging, among others, provided in-depth reviews of each application. Grant awards were capped at $25,000. To learn more about the capacity building program and see a full list of this year’s grantees, go to the Capacity Building Grants web page.

The foundation has invested in capacity building grants since 2002. Since that time, the foundation has provided more than $13.4 million in direct funding to support the capacity needs of nearly 400 nonprofit organizations across Kansas.