Fund for Hutchinson

Fund for Hutchinson is sponsored by Hutchinson Community Foundation. The Fund for Hutchinson provides grants for projects that address the changing needs of Reno County. This includes critical needs, innovative approaches, and opportunities that leverage community resources.

Proposals are accepted year-round, with awards decided every other month.

Proposals for all Hutchinson Community Foundation grants must be submitted online through the Foundant Grant Lifecycle Management system (GLM), accessed via the button below. First-time GLM users may wish to review the GLM Applicant Tutorial, found at the links, which include video and written step-by-step guides for completing the online application form. For a video of step-by-step instructions, click on the link or the video player.

For written step-by-step instructions, click on the link, then follow the menu options under “GLM Applicant Tutorial (New Dashboard)” (see image). For questions regarding any Hutch CF grants, the GLM online application process or to discuss grant ideas, please email Senior Program Officer Jan Steen or call at 620-663-5293.

APPLY HERE: Grant Lifecycle Management (GLM) 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 2026, 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 is closed for 2026 Community Catalyst – Projects that improve community engagement, communication, confidence, and pride.

Maximum request of $2,500.

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.

Impact Cycle 2 deadline to submit proposals is Aug. 7. 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. 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.

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 Community & Economic Development 2026 Grant Communications Guidelines To apply for a grant, click on the following link: Learn more about Fund for Reno County grant projects 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 Make final decisions on which proposals to fund 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 2026 cycle is closed. To review 2026 guidelines or to access GLM, click on the links below.

Youth Philanthropy Council Grant Guidelines 2026 Grant Communications Guidelines Read about our recent YPC grants 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. Create an Organizational Endowment If you have questions or want to learn more about grants, please contact: Kari Mailloux, Director of Strategic Initiatives