​Truman Heartland Community Foundation now accepting competitive grant applications; more than $430K available for local nonprofits

Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) is inviting 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public education institutions, and units of local government serving suburban Eastern Jackson and Cass County communities in Missouri to apply for a 2024 Competitive Grant. THCF offers two different types of competitive grants: the Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education, which will award approximately $141,000, and the Community Grants program, which will be awarding more than $295,000.
 
Grant seekers can submit their applications until Monday, March 11, 2024, for the Jelley Family Foundation grant and until Monday, March 25, 2024, for the Community Grants. It's important to note that eligible applicants are now only allowed to apply for one grant per year, either a Community Grant or the Jelley Family Foundation Grant, but not both.
 
The THCF grants process is very competitive, receiving more than 100 proposals each year. To ensure each proposal receives fair consideration, interested agencies and organizations are strongly encouraged to thoroughly review the criteria for each grant before applying, double-check all attachments, and ensure that their proposal is completed accurately and submitted before the deadline. Proposals should benefit the residents and communities within the THCF service area: suburban Eastern Jackson County (East of Interstate 435 and outside of the Kansas City metro) and Cass County in Missouri.
 
"The Foundation's Grants Committee made some changes to the way we manage and distribute our competitive grant funding in 2024," Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grantmaking and Donor Services, noted. "We're now reserving 10 percent of our funding for new grantees - organizations who have not received a competitive foundation grant in the past. This means that we'll continue our usual support throughout the community, but we're also embracing and empowering new groups of organizations and helping move their missions forward."
 
The Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education funds projects, programs, or services focused on educational initiatives for children, ranging from early childhood through traditional post-secondary education. Proposals that take an innovative approach to education, focus on historically underserved youth, or are collaborative by design are encouraged.
 
The Community Grants program funds projects, programs, or services that address issues in one or more of the following areas: arts, culture, and historic preservation; adult or non-traditional education (but not children’s education); community betterment (improving neighborhoods, youth development and leadership, programs for seniors, transportation, violence prevention, etc.); health and human services; and wildlife conservation (anywhere, state-wide, in Missouri).
 
THCF Competitive Grants are made possible primarily by funds set up by donor bequests and wills. In 2023, THCF reviewed more than 120 grant proposals and awarded 62 grants totaling $443,733 through the Competitive Grants program.

​More information on qualifying factors, past recipients, sample questions, and more can be found on THCF’s website at https://www.thcf.org/grant-seekers. Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grants and Donor Services, is also available to assist any organization needing additional assistance by email at [email protected] or by phone at (816) 912-4184.