Fund for Reno County

The Fund for Reno County is the unrestricted grantmaking fund that allows Hutchinson Community Foundation to address the ever-changing needs of Reno County. Fund for Reno County proposals allow foundation representatives–board members, community volunteers and staff—to hear directly from our communities about their challenges and opportunities.

Some of the grants are small but mighty, while others are large and far-reaching. Each represents an innovative approach or collaboration, a new efficiency for an established organization, a critical need that requires “just in time” funding, or an opportunity that needs just a bit of local support to leverage great resources for our community.

In 2025, Hutchinson Community Foundation will accept proposals for Fund for Reno County grants during two cycles that target specific areas of impact. Project proposals should align with the following Impact Cycle categories and purposes, their deadlines, and their maximum requests. 

Impact Cycle 1 closed for 2025 

• • Dynamic Culture – Projects that enhance and celebrate local arts, theatre, history, and tourism. Maximum request of $20,000.  

• • Thriving Kids – Projects that support high-quality early care and education, youth development, and families. Maximum request of $20,000. 

• • Community Catalyst – Projects that improve community engagement, communication, confidence, and pride. Maximum request of $2,500.  

• • Strong Organizations – Projects that strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and resilience of Reno County community-based organizations. Maximum request of $7,500. 

Impact Cycle 2 closed for 2025 

• • Community & Economic Development – Projects and plans that strengthen the community and local economy by building a diverse and resilient workforce, activating central business districts or Downtowns, supporting existing businesses, attracting new ones, and encouraging entrepreneurs; also, projects that strengthen the quality of place in Reno County through placemaking in public spaces and improving housing quality and accessibility. Maximum request of $50,000. 

• • Strong Organizations – Projects that strengthen the capacity, sustainability, and resilience of Reno County community-based organizations. Maximum request of $7,500. 

Proposals must be submitted online through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Management system (GLM). Community groups who do not have a 501(c)(3) status may apply for grants if another tax-exempt organization acts as a fiscal sponsor. Review the “Fiscal Sponsor Information” section in the online application form.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

To review guidelines and the online application forms (note: the applications are for review purposes only and should not be submitted as an official application), click on the following links:   

• Fund for Reno County Guidelines
• Grantwriting Technical Assistance video
• Grantwriting Technical Assistance PPT presentation
• EXAMPLE applications
  • Thriving Kids
  • Strong Organizations
  • Dynamic Culture
  • Community Catalyst
  • Community & Economic Development 

To apply for a grant, click on the following link:

• Apply for a grant

Youth Philanthropy Council

The Youth Philanthropy Council (YPC) is a youth-led grantmaking program designed to involve Reno County students in philanthropy. YPC members from high schools across the county are recruited to:

• Identify and prioritize needs for youth in our community
• Establish criteria for the selection of youth-focused grant proposals
• Review grant proposals
• Make final decisions on which proposals to fund
• Award the grants

Each spring the YPC distributes approximately $5,000 in grants which come from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy. The Dillon family established the fund to honor Dick Dillon as a tribute to the extensive philanthropic work he was responsible for in the Hutchinson and Reno County communities.

The 2025 cycle is closed. To review 2025 guidelines or to access GLM, click on the links below.

• Youth Philanthropy Council Grant Guidelines
  
• Apply for a grant

Leadership Coaching Program

Hutchinson Community Foundation’s Leadership Coaching Program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to make progress on adaptive challenges alongside the assistance of a leadership coach. Hutch CF offers a grant of up to $1,800 that covers the cost of up to six sessions over six months. Applications for leadership coaching grants should be submitted through the GLM online portal.

• Apply for a grant