Cheyenne County Community Foundation Has $70,000 in Grants Available, Kicks Off Match Month

The Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation is heading into fall with thousands of dollars still available for local projects and an opportunity in September that could turn $200,000 in community donations into a $400,000 impact.

Jessica, executive director of the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation, joined NWKS Radio’s Joel Navarro for Foundation Friday on the Good Neighbor Hour to share the latest from St. Francis and Cheyenne County.

One of the biggest pieces of news is that the foundation still has approximately $70,000 available to award through the remainder of 2026.

Grant applications are accepted monthly through December, and eligible nonprofit organizations and other qualified recipients are encouraged to apply.

“We still have, I believe, around $70,000 to give out for the rest of the year,” Jessica said. “So go apply.”

The foundation has also worked to make the application process easier. Instead of applicants having to determine which individual foundation fund best fits their project, they can now complete one general application. The foundation board then determines which available fund is the best fit for the request.

Organizations that aren't sure whether they qualify can contact the foundation office at 785-772-5124. Applications and additional information are available at cckf.org.

September is Match Month

September brings one of the Cheyenne County Community Foundation’s biggest fundraising opportunities of the year.

Match Month began September 1, with a goal of raising $200,000 locally during the month. If that goal is reached, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will provide a $100,000 match and the Patterson Family Foundation will provide another $100,000.

That means $200,000 raised locally can result in a total community impact of $400,000.

Those dollars help support the grants awarded throughout Cheyenne County, the foundation’s operating endowments and other funds that benefit the community.

A major part of Match Month will be a Giving Day on Wednesday, September 16, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Francis High School gymnasium.

Participating funds under the foundation will be able to receive donations during Giving Day, with those contributions also helping the foundation work toward its $200,000 Match Month goal.

A Growing Foundation

Jessica said the foundation continues to expand its presence throughout Cheyenne County. She began working with the organization part time in 2021 before moving into a full-time role in 2024.

“The foundation is out there, and we are getting stronger and stronger and building every day,” Jessica said. “We’re building funds, we’re meeting people, we’re being in the community, we’re doing all the things we can do.”

That growth was especially noticeable this summer. Through a partnership with Next Generation Roundup for Youth, the foundation had five interns working with the organization. Jessica said that gave the usually one-person office additional help and allowed the foundation to be even more engaged throughout the community.

From roughly $70,000 still available in grants to the potential for a $400,000 Match Month impact, the final months of 2026 could be busy ones for the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation.

Residents and organizations can follow the Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation on Facebook for its latest updates, including information about Match Month, grants, Giving Day and other foundation activities.

Foundation Friday is featured on NWKS Radio’s Good Neighbor Hour (on RockIt 102.5 Monday-Friday 5:30 to 7 am MT) highlighting the work of community foundations and the people helping strengthen communities across northwest Kansas.