by Karl Pratt

The Sheridan County Community Foundation (SCCF) is proud to announce the creation of a new designated grant fund—the Sheridan County Economic Development Fund. This fund will be dedicated to supporting ongoing economic development operations and activities throughout Sheridan County, Kansas.

The seed funding for the new fund was made possible through proceeds generated by the Community Birthday Calendar project, a cherished tradition previously managed by the former Hoxie Rotary Club. The Foundation stepped in to continue the calendar project this year, recognizing both its value as a community resource and its potential to support countywide initiatives.

In alignment with this vision, the Foundation intends to use ongoing proceeds from the annual calendar—featuring birthdays, anniversaries, memorials, and local advertising—to progressively build and grow the Sheridan County Economic Development Fund.

The fund will also benefit from the Hansen Matching Initiative, a strategic partnership in which the Dane G. Hansen Foundation contributes $2,000 and the Sheridan County Community Foundation adds $1,000 in matching funds toward eligible new grant funds. This initiative allows a $3,000 donation to grow to $6,000 in its first year, helping participating funds work toward the $10,000 endowment threshold required to begin annual grant distributions.

“This project is a perfect example of how community tradition can evolve into long-term investment,” said Karl Pratt, executive director of the Sheridan County Community Foundation. “We are so grateful to all of the calendar advertising sponsors and the residents who purchased copies year. Your support is planting the seeds for a fund that will serve Sheridan County for generations. As we continue improving how we manage the calendar project, we hope to better gather date submissions and increase calendar sales—ultimately helping us grow the fund’s future grantmaking capacity.”

Once fully endowed, the Sheridan County Economic Development Fund will provide annual grant support for the economic development operations being conducted in Sheridan County.

For more information about creating funds through the Hansen Matching Initiative, or to get involved with the Community Birthday Calendar project, please contact the Foundation at (785) 677-5090 or visit www.growsheridancounty.org/new-fund-match.

SCCF is an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation based in Bird City. The foundation seeks to encourage, prudently manage, and distribute charitable contributions to improve the quality of life of Sheridan County residents, now and in the future. To learn more, contact Pratt at 785-677-5090, director@growsheridancounty.org, or visit www.growsheridancounty.org. Connect with SCCF at www.facebook.com/sheridanccf.