Innovation in Education is sponsored by Patterson Family Foundation. Funds projects aimed at improving education in rural communities, with a focus on project-based and experiential learning.

Thriving Rural Grant - Patterson Family Foundation Thank you for your interest! The application window for this program is now closed. Thriving rural communities are our top priority.

If they are yours, too, we want to hear from you. Patterson Family Foundation is proud to open Thriving Rural Grant funding to strengthen organizations and projects supporting rural needs. We recognize that sometimes the helpers need help.

From June 22 to October 2, we are looking for organizations, ideas, and solutions of all sizes that show rural grit and promise. If you are a 501(c)(3) organization working to improve education, health care, or economic opportunity in one or more of the rural communities we serve, we would love to hear about it. Our founder Neal admired innovative planning and careful strategy.

We do, too. We like to say we’re seeking ‘good engines in need of fuel. ’ How are you being an engine in your community?

What do you need to get to the next level of effectiveness? Thriving Rural Grant funds can be used to support work that furthers Patterson Family Foundation’s mission and vision for thriving rural communities in Kansas and northwestern Missouri. Interested organizations must register through the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal and submit an application to be considered for this funding opportunity.

Please note that this is a competitive grant process. Applications will be evaluated on the organization’s and project’s potential to strengthen rural communities in Kansas and northwestern Missouri. The amount and use of funds must be identified by applying organizations in their submissions.

Applications for capital campaigns have opened. All applications must be submitted by October 2 to be reviewed by the end of the year. Event sponsorship requests are not eligible for funding.

We also ask that universities contact the Foundation via email for grant opportunities. Please get in touch with us if you have questions or projects related to the above. Applications will be received from June 2 2 to October 2, 2023 , and reviewed once per quarter.

Applications must be submitted by July 17 to be eligible for review in the third quarter. Applications received between July 18 and the close date of October 2 will be reviewed before the end of the year.

Applicant organizations should: • Be a 501(c)(3) organization • Be located in and serving a county or community within the Patterson Family Foundation's Kansas or Western Missouri catc hment • Have funding needs that fall within the strategic priority areas of education, health care, and/or economic opportunity. • Event sponsorship requests are not eligible for this program.

• Universities should contact a Foundation team member directly for grant opportunities. • Please get in touch with us if you have questions or projects related to the above . • Applications for capital requests will be received from August to October 2 and will be reviewed by the end of the year.

• Capital campaign requests should have secured at least 60% of the project cost. • Additionally, the Patterson Family Foundation will fund up to 20% of the total project cost, or up to $2,000,000. • Please click here to preview the questions that will be asked in the capital application process.

Thriving Rural Grant funds aim to allow organizations to request funding support based on their assessed needs. Patterson Family Foundation’s Thriving Rural Grant funding can be used to support program, operational, equipment, or capital costs that: • Align with the Foundation's strategic priority areas of education, health care, and economic opportunity.

• Are not addressed within the scope of any of the Foundation's currently or recently offered strategic grantmaking programs. We rely on the applying organization to specify the amount and use of their requested funds in their application. Applications should encompass the full scope of funding required to address the need.

The Foundation will complete a competitive review of all applications based on their potential to advance the Foundation’s vision of thriving rural communities.

At the time of application, grant applicants should be ready to share the following: • Copy of latest IRS Form 990 • Copy of IRS determination letter confirming tax-exempt status • Project and organization budgets • Optional but helpful supporting documentation related to the project (photos, bids, invoices, plans, etc.) We have provided two optional budget templates for your use: project and organization and capital .

Interested and eligible organizations can apply via the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal between June 22, 2023 , and October 2, 2023 . Organizations will first register for a portal account, and we will review and verify that organizations meet the eligibility criteria before allowing access to the portal. Please click here to preview the questions that will be asked in the application process.

Notification to Grant Recipients The timeline for award determinations will be specified following the review of applications and may differ depending on the scope of applications. Applicants selected for funding will be sent an Award Letter outlining the terms of the grant agreement. We ask that all awarded grantees sign and return their Award Letter within one week of its receipt.

All terms, conditions, and details of the grant, including the grant's value, will be at the sole discretion of the Patterson Family Foundation. We are interested in tracking the impact of grants and learning more about the challenges and successes experienced by our grant recipients. Reporting requirements will be tailored to the nature of the applicant’s request and detailed in the Award Letter sent to grantees.

The timeline for the disbursement of funds will be determined on a case-by-case basis, depending on the funding amount and the applicant's timing needs. If you have any questions about this program, please contact: Emily Masters , Program Coordinator Patterson Family Foundation Who is eligible to apply for this grant? Organizations located and serving in Kansas or Missouri within the Patterson Family Foundation's catchment.

Applicants must have a 501(c)(3) designation or be an affiliate partner with 501(c)(3) designation. Please see "Eligibility" above for details. If I am applying for the grant, will my confidential information be shared with anyone else?

Organization-specific information submitted as part of this grant application is accessible only by the Patterson Family Foundation staff and the Grant Committee, a subset of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation will not release any sensitive information gathered during this process unless approved in advance by the applying organization. Can my organization use the grant award for any purpose?

The purpose of Thriving Rural Grant funding is to support organizations and projects serving our geographic catchment that fall within our strategic priority areas. The specific use of funding will be shaped by the applicant’s request and detailed in an award letter if funding is awarded. How long will the application take to complete?

Patterson Family Foundation applications are designed to be concise and comprehensive. We recommend that applicants collect Supporting Documentation in advance and allot 30-45 minutes to complete the application. Applicants will be able to save their progress and return later if needed.

We have provided the list of questions asked in the application for your convenience. Please see the "How to Apply" section above for details. How do I apply for other funding?

Current strategic grantmaking programs and responsive grant opportunities (if available) are listed on our website. If you have relevant inquiries outside the scope of listed programs and grant opportunities, contact us using the link at the bottom of our webpage. Me gustaría solicitar a esta oportunidad pero no hablo inglés.

¿Cómo puedo obtener ayuda? Si necesita ayuda en español, favor de contáctenos en programs@pffkc. org