The Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF) is preparing to launch another year of funding opportunities designed to strengthen programs and services for children and families throughout the region.
Beginning July 1, GBCF’s online grants portal will open for the Neighborhood Youth Grant, a competitive grant cycle available to charitable and governmental organizations serving youth across the Foundation’s service area. Applications will be accepted throughout the month of July.
Supporting the youth of our communities remains a cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission. The Neighborhood Youth Grant provides funding for organizations, programs, and projects that promote the well-being of children and families. Preference is often given to projects that leverage matching funds, allowing local investments to create an even greater impact.
The Neighborhood Youth Grant traces its roots to the Kansas Health Foundation’s Giving Resources to Our World (GROW) initiative, which began in 1999. Recognizing that a single statewide foundation could not effectively serve every Kansas community, the Kansas Health Foundation committed more than $30 million in matching funds to help build and strengthen community foundations across the state.
Through the initiative, 16 community foundations representing 49 Kansas counties were selected to participate. The Golden Belt Community Foundation proudly accepted the invitation and embraced the opportunity to create long-term philanthropic resources for the region.
The results have been significant. During the 10-year GROW program (1999-2009) GBCF’s net assets increased from approximately $11,000 to $5.9 million. Of that growth, $1 million was directly tied to the GROW initiative and served as the foundation for the Children’s Health Endowment, which today funds the Neighborhood Youth Grant program.
Since 2005, the Foundation has invested nearly $989,000 through Neighborhood Youth grants into local communities. In 2025 alone, more than $70,000 was awarded throughout GBCF’s four-county service area to support youth-focused projects and programs.
This year, the Foundation hopes to increase its cumulative investment by more than 10 percent, pushing total Neighborhood Youth grant funding beyond the $1 million milestone.
One of the most powerful aspects of the program is its endowment-based structure. Because grant funding is generated from a permanently invested endowment, the resources will continue to grow and provide support for future generations. This ensures that local youth and families will benefit not only today but for decades to come.
The success of this program is a testament to the vision of the Kansas Health Foundation and the commitment of local donors, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, current and past staff members, and volunteers who have worked together to improve opportunities for children and families. The partnerships created through this initiative have strengthened our communities and improved the health and well-being of local youth.
Organizations interested in applying for the Neighborhood Youth Grant can access application materials through the Golden Belt Community Foundation grants portal beginning July 1 at www.goldenbeltcf.org.
Community members who would like to help expand future grant opportunities are encouraged to participate in Giving Tuesday this November. Contributions made through Giving Tuesday help build local charitable resources that continue supporting youth, families, and community development projects throughout the region.
For more information about the Neighborhood Youth Grant or Giving Tuesday, visit the Golden Belt Community Foundation or contact the Foundation office, 620-792-3000.
Jason Murray is the executive director of the Golden Belt Community Foundation.
