Emporia area groups looking for financial help to fund new or special projects should plan to apply by Sept. 30 for a grant from the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF).
The ECF is seeking applications from community organizations in Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties for grants to fund innovative and creative community projects. The grants, which are evaluated by the ECF Grant Committee, are for programs that are responsive to changing community needs in the areas of health, social service, education, recreation, and cultural affairs.
The grants are not designed as money for on-going projects or to augment operating funds, but rather to support undertakings that organizations want to initiate but lack the necessary funding for.
The ECF seeks to be a responsive and proactive community partner that works strategically to address existing and emerging community issues. The last grant cycle which provided funding for the 2024 calendar year included approximately $26,000 given out in awards. As a community foundation, the ECF has, through donors and other funds, given away over $26 million since inception.
Linda Kehres-Schmidt, ECF Executive Director, suggests applying organizations follow the guidelines outlined on the Foundation’s website at www. emporiacf.org. Normally, projects should be of a size and scope to be funded in one lump sum and have enough volunteers and staff to carry out the project.
Grant applications will be accepted until Sept. 30 with funds being disbursed in January. For more information about current ECF funds, starting a fund or available grants, go to emporiacf. org or contact Kehres- Schmidt at 620-3429304.
The ECF has served the Emporia/Lyon County area and the surrounding counties for the past 29 years with currently nearly 400 funds and assets totaling over $45 million. They provide funding for grants, scholarships, Match Day, and various programs in our community. To learn more visit www.emporiacf. org.
