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Douglas County Community Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.9M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,878,784 (2022)
  • Total Distributed Since 2000: $50 million
  • Awards Made: 89 awards (2022), 125 awards (2021)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly specified
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Douglas County, Kansas (Baldwin City, Eudora, Lawrence, Lecompton)

Contact Details

Address: 900 Massachusetts, Suite 406, Lawrence, KS 66044
Phone: (785) 843-8727
Fax: (785) 843-8735
Email: info@dccfoundation.org
Website: www.dccfoundation.org

Pre-Application Support:

Overview

The Douglas County Community Foundation (DCCF) was established in 2000 as a tax-exempt public charity serving Douglas County, Kansas. Since its founding, the foundation has distributed over $50 million to support diverse causes in the community. In 2022 alone, DCCF provided $4,878,784 in grants across 89 awards. The foundation's mission is to connect the diverse citizens and communities of Douglas County through charitable action, working to increase community investment and build relationships between donors and nonprofits. Executive Director Chip Blaser, who succeeded founding director Sara Corless in 2006, has helped establish DCCF as a cornerstone of local philanthropy. The foundation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a special exhibition at the Watkins Museum recognizing the impact of generosity in the community.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

DCCF Community Grants: $1,000 - $10,000 (spring and fall cycles with deadlines February 1 and September 1; online portal)

Momentum Grants: Up to $50,000 annually (spring cycle with awards in May; online portal)
Fuel projects and programs that help people facing poverty build momentum as they take steps to reach their potential. Since 2017, has distributed $199,600 to 20 nonprofit organizations.

Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund Grants: Amount varies (annual cycle)
Supports projects committed to preservation and understanding of nature, and resource conservation. Since 2005, has awarded more than $327,000 in grants celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

LiveWell Community Wellness Grants: Amount varies (2020 awards totaled $86,372)
Support projects that increase access to healthy food and make it easier for people to be physically active, with emphasis on health and well-being of children and youth.

Mary & Wint Winter, Jr. Family Fund: Amount varies (annual cycle)
Makes a meaningful difference in the lives of at-risk and vulnerable populations with emphasis on at-risk and vulnerable children and families. At least 70% of grants limited to Douglas County, Franklin County, and Johnson County, Kansas, plus Taos County, New Mexico.

Priority Areas

DCCF Community Grants support a broad range of causes including:

  • Arts and culture
  • Animal welfare
  • Children and youth
  • Community development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Housing and human services

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects requiring repetitive or ongoing DCCF funding
  • Ongoing general operating expenses
  • Ongoing litigation
  • Multi-year requests
  • Annual campaigns
  • Event sponsorships
  • Fundraising events
  • Lobbying or political activities
  • Debt retirement
  • Non-charitable activities
  • Grants to individuals
  • Endowment funds

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Chip Blaser (chipblaser@dccfoundation.org)
Chip succeeded the foundation's first executive director Sara Corless in 2006. Regarding the foundation's 25th anniversary celebration, he stated: "We are thrilled to partner with the Watkins Museum to showcase generosity at work in our community, and the positive impact made by so many over the past 25 years."

Director of Community Investment: Lori Trenholm (loritrenholm@dccfoundation.org, 785-843-8727)
Primary contact for grant application questions and support.

The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors. Historical board leadership includes Barbara Carswell of Capitol Federal Savings Bank (board chair in 2012) and Web Golden, an attorney with Stevens & Brand (board chair in 2013).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through DCCF's Grant Management System, an online portal accessible through www.dccfoundation.org.

For DCCF Community Grants:

  • Spring cycle: Application opens January 1, deadline February 1 at 5:00 PM
  • Fall cycle: Application opens in summer, deadline September 1 at 5:00 PM
  • Organizations may apply only once per calendar year, regardless of whether the previous grant request was funded

For Momentum Grants:

  • Annual cycle begins in early spring
  • Awards announced in May

Pre-Application Support:

  • Community Grant Information Sessions held via Zoom in January
  • Contact Lori Trenholm for Zoom information and application guidance
  • Early login to Grant Management System recommended to confirm access

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines from submission to notification are not publicly disclosed. Applicants are encouraged to contact Lori Trenholm for program-specific timeline information.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. In 2022, 89 grants were awarded; in 2021, 125 grants were awarded, indicating a competitive application process.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply only once per calendar year to DCCF Community Grants, regardless of whether the previous grant request was funded. This policy ensures fair access to funding opportunities across all eligible organizations.

Application Success Factors

DCCF provides extensive guidance for applicants through their Grant Application Tips resource:

Alignment is Critical: "Make sure your organization's mission or grant request aligns with the purpose, geographic area or population served of the grant program. Even the best-written application will not be eligible" without proper alignment. Research recent grant recipients on DCCF's website to understand funding patterns.

Build Relationships: "Understanding your mission and impact is important" to DCCF. Building a relationship with the foundation and other funders before applying strengthens applications.

Demonstrate Community Need: "DCCF grant programs are competitive and grant committee members compare each application's community need to determine funding priorities." Have a compelling need and communicate it clearly.

Answer Questions Succinctly: Read questions carefully and provide concise answers to "maintain grant committee members' attention."

Build Committee Confidence: Demonstrate "a clear understanding of the need or problem and what your organization will do about it from start to finish."

Budget Clarity: "The grant budget is important and should be clear and easy to understand" - think of it as "the grant application in numerical form." Include all funding sources, including in-kind contributions.

Focus on Outcomes: "Outcomes should be the before and after story of how the project impacted staff or clients" - not just the number of people served. Since DCCF grants are for one year and should not require ongoing funding, "measurements and outcomes should be straightforward."

Show Collaboration: Applications should demonstrate "a collaborative spirit, working with other community partners and volunteers, where possible" (particularly for Winter Family Fund).

Attention to Detail: "Upload attachments early and check them to make sure they display correctly. Don't give committee members a reason to be critical by making easily avoidable spelling or grammatical mistakes."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • One application per year rule: Organizations can only apply once per calendar year regardless of funding outcome, so timing and program selection are critical
  • Geographic requirement is strict: Projects must benefit residents of Douglas County, Kansas (includes Baldwin City, Eudora, Lawrence, and Lecompton)
  • One-year funding philosophy: DCCF explicitly seeks projects that don't require repetitive funding and demonstrate clear sustainability plans
  • Outcomes over outputs: Focus on the "before and after story" of impact, not just numbers served
  • Budget as narrative: Your budget should tell the same story as your narrative and include all funding sources
  • Build relationships early: DCCF values understanding your organization before you apply - attend information sessions and connect with staff
  • Multiple program options: With five distinct grant programs, research which best fits your project rather than defaulting to Community Grants

References

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