Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $21.6 million (2024)
- Total Assets: $305.3 million
- Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after deadline
- Grant Range: $2,000 - $100,000 (typical range $2,500 - $7,500)
- Geographic Focus: Saline County, KS and regional affiliates throughout North Central and Western Kansas
- Total Granted Since 1999: $277.6 million
Contact Details
Address: 119 W. Iron Ave, 8th Floor, Salina, KS 67401
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876
Phone: (785) 823-1800
Website: www.gscf.org
Email: Contact Jessica Fuller (Grants Director) for grant inquiries
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 8am-5:30pm, Friday: 8am-12pm (appointments required after noon)
Overview
The Greater Salina Community Foundation was established in 1999 by over 100 founding donors who came together to create a platform for charitable giving in Kansas. With $305.3 million in assets and 1,080 funds under management, the foundation has granted more than $277.6 million since its founding. The foundation's mission is to build permanent endowment funds and meet charitable community needs through strategic grantmaking. In 2024 alone, GSCF made 272 grants totaling $21.6 million and distributed over $250,000 in scholarships to 114 students. The foundation received the "2024 Outstanding Foundation Award" from AFP Kansas Heartland's National Philanthropy Day Awards, recognizing its significant impact on the region. Under the leadership of President Jessica Martin, who has been with the foundation since 2010, GSCF operates as a community foundation serving Saline County and 10 regional affiliates throughout western and north central Kansas.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
The foundation offers four distinct grant categories with varying application cycles:
- Community Impact Grants: $2,000-$100,000 (4 annual cycles: July-August, October-November, January-February, April-May)
- Women's Assistance Grants: Emergency grants for women in need (6 cycles per year)
- Youth Sports Grants: Individual player support for equipment, uniforms, and fees (4 cycles per year)
- Medical Grants: Assistance for families dealing with medical diagnoses and treatment (rolling basis)
Priority Areas
The foundation actively funds projects in the following areas:
- Health and Human Services: Emergency assistance, mental health programs, therapeutic services, childcare centers
- Arts and Culture: Youth arts programming, theater productions, museum education, community performances
- Education: School programs, early childhood development, educational equipment and technology
- Community Development: Facility renovations, capital improvements, beautification projects
- Youth Development: Sports programs, youth leadership, recreational activities
- Environment and Conservation: Environmental projects, conservation initiatives
Fundable Project Types
- Projects or programs that serve the community and advance organizational missions
- Seed money to establish or initiate new projects, programs, or organizations
- Capacity building activities that strengthen organizations (technology, equipment, professional development, training)
- Capital improvements including new construction or facility renovation
- Limited endowment funding
What They Don't Fund
- Incomplete applications
- Political projects or lobbying activities
- Organizations that discriminate
- Operating deficits or debt reduction
- Projects already completed
- Tax-supported programs (grants may not reduce or replace regular budgetary needs)
- General endowment or operational expenses (preference given to project-specific funding)
Governance and Leadership
Executive Leadership
Jessica Martin - President & Executive Director
Joined GSCF in 2010 and has worked in various roles before becoming President. On the foundation's approach: "The mission of the grants committee is to serve as a valued resource that meets community needs. When our committee meets to review applications, they want to make sure they are comparing apples to apples the best they can, and that they are being good stewards of donor dollars." On community impact: "I'm proud to live in a community that embraces the motto 'We're better together!'"
Michael Chambers - VP of Community Impact
From Lindsborg, KS, passionate about "bringing people together to support good ideas"
Jessica Fuller - Grants Director
Primary contact for grant inquiries and application questions
Brandee Mayginnes - Director of Operations
Kristin Blake - Director of Finance
Board of Directors
The foundation is governed by a volunteer board of local community members:
Officers:
- Maggie Hemmer - Chair
- Kathy Schwerdtfeger - Chair Elect
- Dr. Rob Freelove - Secretary
- Bailey Ramsey - Treasurer & Finance Committee Chair
- Karen Black - Grants & Scholarships Committee Chair
- John Quinley - Community Impact Committee Chair
Board Members: Michael Baxter, Kelly Brown, Brandon Cheeks, Lindsay Garber, Julie Goetz, Denice Justus, Mark Palen, Jon Ramsey, Jessica Stoppel, David Wedel, Jeff Wacker
The board's "knowledge and dedication to the communities we serve is crucial to the foundation's work."
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
All grant applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at grantinterface.com. The application process includes:
- Review specific fund guidelines on the GSCF website (www.gscf.org/grants)
- Watch instructional videos provided by the foundation
- Complete the online application form with all required information
- Submit before the appropriate cycle deadline
Eligible Applicants:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
- Government entities
- Religious organizations
- Individuals (through a fiscal agent if they don't directly qualify)
Geographic Eligibility: Grants are typically restricted to Saline County and the 10 regional affiliate communities served by GSCF throughout western and north central Kansas. Each geographic area's grants are determined by local advisory boards.
Decision Timeline
- Application Cycles: Four main cycles per year (July-Aug, Oct-Nov, Jan-Feb, Apr-May)
- Decision Time: 4-6 weeks after each grant deadline
- Notification Method: Electronic notification through the online grant system
- Grant Reporting: Final reports due within one year from notification date OR 30 days from project completion, whichever is sooner
Success Rates
In 2024, the foundation made 272 grants from the applications received. While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the foundation processes hundreds of applications annually. Recent grant cycles show competitive but accessible funding, with approximately 8-15 organizations funded per cycle depending on the fund and available resources.
Reapplication Policy
The foundation's website and public materials do not specify restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations are encouraged to contact the Grants Director at (785) 823-1800 if their application is not funded to discuss feedback and future opportunities.
Application Success Factors
Foundation-Specific Insights
Committee Review Process:
President Jessica Martin emphasizes that "When our committee meets to review applications, they want to make sure they are comparing apples to apples the best they can, and that they are being good stewards of donor dollars." This indicates the importance of providing clear, comparable metrics and demonstrating responsible stewardship.
Community Involvement and Volunteerism:
For the Dane G. Hansen grants administered through GSCF, "preference will be given to applications that include community involvement and volunteerism." This suggests that demonstrating community engagement strengthens applications.
Preferred Grant Types:
The foundation explicitly states it "prefers grants that fall into project, seed money, or capacity building categories." While operating and capital grants are considered, applications should emphasize project-specific impacts, new initiatives, or organizational strengthening.
Recent Funded Projects Examples:
- Salina Rescue Mission: $5,000 for 6,000 sq. ft. of flooring installation (capital improvement with clear scope)
- Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank: $5,000 for bi-monthly Life Skills Cooking classes (program with defined frequency)
- CAPS: $5,000 to recruit CASA volunteers (capacity building with measurable outcome)
- Central Kansas Mental Health Center: $3,680 for Mental Health First Aid programs (specific training initiative)
- Theatre Salina: $4,500 to bring local actor to direct "Bus Stop" (project with specific deliverable)
Key Patterns in Successful Applications:
- Specific, tangible deliverables (number of classes, square footage, training sessions)
- Clear budget requests matching actual costs
- Projects serving Saline County or specific affiliate regions
- Strong alignment with at least one priority area
- Measurable community impact
Application Completeness:
Incomplete applications are explicitly ineligible. Ensure all required fields are completed and all supporting documentation is submitted before the deadline.
Stewardship and Reporting:
The foundation requires grant recipients to submit final reports. Demonstrating a track record of completing previous grant requirements strengthens future applications.
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Know Your Cycle: Apply during the appropriate quarterly cycle for Community Impact grants, with deadlines in August, October, February, and April; expect decisions within 4-6 weeks of each deadline
- Geographic Fit is Essential: Your project must serve Saline County or one of GSCF's 10 regional affiliate communities; grants are limited to these specific geographic areas
- Emphasize Project-Specific Impact: While operating grants are possible, preference goes to projects, seed funding, and capacity building—frame your request around specific initiatives with clear deliverables
- Include Community Engagement: Applications demonstrating community involvement and volunteerism are preferred, particularly for certain funds like Dane G. Hansen grants
- Request Realistic Amounts: Recent grants cluster in the $2,500-$7,500 range for most programs, though larger grants ($10,000-$100,000) are possible; match your request to actual project costs with specific line items
- Watch the Instructional Videos: The foundation provides application guidance videos—review these before applying to understand what the grants committee is looking for
- Contact the Grants Director: Jessica Fuller is available at (785) 823-1800 for questions; don't hesitate to reach out before applying to ensure your project is a good fit
- Complete and Specific Applications: The committee wants to compare "apples to apples" and be good stewards—provide clear metrics, specific costs, and measurable outcomes to facilitate their review process
References
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Official Website. www.gscf.org. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Grants Page. https://gscf.org/grants/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Staff Directory. https://gscf.org/about-us/staff/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Board of Directors. https://gscf.org/board-of-directors/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- GuideStar Profile - Greater Salina Community Foundation (EIN 48-1215503). https://www.guidestar.org/profile/48-1215503. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Candid Foundation Directory - Greater Salina Community Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=SALI029. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- "GSCF awards more than $38,000 in community grants." Salina Post, 2024. https://salinapost.com/posts/44c558fe-5263-446f-9129-21ac99cc5a70. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- "Summer Grants Awarded Over $30,000." Greater Salina Community Foundation News, 2024. https://gscf.org/about-us/news/summer-grants-awarded-over-30-000/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- "Over $70,000 in Grants Awarded by Community Foundation!" Greater Salina Community Foundation News. https://gscf.org/about-us/news/over-70-000-in-grants-awarded-by-community-foundation/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- "GSCF announces Give Back 5 community giving pledge campaign." Salina Post, 2024. https://salinapost.com/posts/05abbae9-d276-4d64-a9c6-1773ad49d40d. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Profile. Cause IQ. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/greater-salina-community-foundation,481215503/. Accessed January 7, 2026.
- Greater Salina Community Foundation Profile. Inside Philanthropy. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant-places/kansas-grants/greater-salina-community-foundation. Accessed January 7, 2026.