Greater Manhattan Community Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $16.6 million (2023)
Success Rate: Not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly available
Grant Range: Various, includes grants and scholarships
Geographic Focus: Greater Manhattan, Kansas area and 18 affiliated communities

Contact Details

Location: Manhattan, KS
Website: Not definitively confirmed
Email: Not publicly available
Phone: Not publicly available

Overview

Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF) was established in August 1999 as a community foundation serving the Greater Manhattan, Kansas area. With total assets of $183 million and net assets of $166.7 million as of 2024, GMCF has grown significantly from approximately $13 million in assets in 2010. The foundation's mission is "to enhance the quality of life in the Greater Manhattan, Kansas area, both today and in the future" by enabling donors, building endowments, and managing funds. In 2023 alone, GMCF awarded $16.6 million in grants to Manhattan-area nonprofit organizations and serves 18 communities through regional affiliated programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides:

Grants to local nonprofit organizations
Awards and scholarships
Support through donor-advised funds
Community match day events in 14 communities

Priority Areas

Based on their Sustainable Development Goals alignment:

Zero Hunger initiatives
Good Health and Well-being programs
Reducing Inequalities
Building Partnerships for community goals

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions not publicly available

Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive Officer: Vernon J Henricks (Compensation: $209,000 as of 2024)

The foundation operates with a board structure typical of community foundations, though specific board member details are not publicly available. An independent audit in recent years identified a significant deficiency in internal controls that could affect reliable financial reporting, suggesting ongoing governance improvements.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Specific application processes and procedures are not publicly documented. The foundation operates donor-advised funds and coordinates community match day events, suggesting a combination of donor-directed and foundation-initiated grant-making.

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's role in coordinating match day events across 14 communities and managing affiliated programs in 18 communities, organizations may benefit from participating in these community-wide giving initiatives.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Application numbers and success rates not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly available

Application Success Factors

Without publicly available application guidelines or documented preferences, organizations should:

Align with the foundation's stated mission to enhance quality of life in the Greater Manhattan area
Focus on initiatives that address the foundation's identified Sustainable Development Goals
Consider participating in community match day events as an entry point for engagement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

GMCF is a major funder in the Greater Manhattan, Kansas area with $16.6 million in annual grant-making
The foundation manages significant assets ($183 million) suggesting stable, long-term funding capacity
Primary funding comes from contributions (80.7%) and investment income (10.3%)
Operates through multiple channels including donor-advised funds and community match days
Limited public information about application processes suggests relationship-based or invitation-based grant-making may be significant
Organizations should explore participation in match day events as potential engagement opportunities

References

GuideStar Profile for Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (EIN: 48-1215574), accessed December 2024
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Greater Manhattan Community Foundation Form 990 Data, accessed December 2024
Organization tax-exempt status verified through IRS records (August 1999)