Hutchinson Community Foundation

09/04/2026

We hope everyone enjoys a safe and happy holiday weekend! 🇺🇸❤️

In observance of the holiday our office will be closed Sept. 7.
Normal business hours will resume on Sept. 8.

09/01/2026

Good food, good conversation, and a little time to enjoy central Kansas!

Yesterday, our team stepped away from the day-to-day for a team lunch at The Outpost at Cheney Lake, where we enjoyed delicious food and welcoming service.

From there we headed to Riggs Arboretum, the oldest arboretum west of the Mississippi, to learn more about the history of this 10-acre property and the Riggs family, who have owned and operated it for more than 120 years.

It was a simple afternoon, but a good reminder to slow down, connect with one another and appreciate some of the places and people that make south central Kansas such a great place to call home. 🌳🌻💚

08/27/2026

Motivated. Inspired. Re-energized. Curious. Proud.

Those are just a few of the words the more than 20 representatives of Reno County used to describe their experience this week at the Kansas Housing Conference in Overland Park.

The Housing Initiative Fund of Hutchinson Community Foundation covered the costs for 10 participants, and 10 more paid their own way to attend this annual conference as a shared learning experience to strengthen relationships across our housing ecosystem, expose ourselves to new ideas and approaches, and come home with more collective energy around what else might be possible for making progress on housing in Reno County.

As part of the conference, we got to celebrate the Meyer-Landmark project and its completion on the statewide stage with a showing of the documentary, hosted by developers Laura Meyer Dick and Justin Pregont. Multiple people from across the state commented about all the good things they hear are happening in Hutchinson and Reno County—and especially how we’re collaborating in new, creative, or strengthened ways.

After the formal conference was over, we gathered for a debrief to capture what we’d learned and identify next steps, harnessing the connections and energy before we returned to our everyday work and demands.

We’re grateful for the time everyone committed to this experience together and excited for what more is possible when we approach the challenge of housing as a community of co-workers, working together as a housing ecosystem to strengthen Reno County. 💚

08/22/2026

Our team had a cool morning promoting the Love Where You Live survey at the Reno County Farmers Market.

Surveys are available in English and Spanish and may be completed online or downloaded, printed and returned to the Community Foundation office. Survey closes 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟑𝟎.

This year communities across Reno County could receive a proportionate share of a $50,000 grant pool based on their percentage of all survey responses received countywide. The maximum share per community is capped at 30 percent.

Make your voice heard and take the survey today at RenoSurvey.com. It's easy, fast and makes a real difference!

08/20/2026

📣 REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

The annual grant cycle for The Gift to Dream is open through Sept. 11.

Hutchinson Community Foundation inspires philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration to strengthen Reno County and create vibrant and resilient communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive. We believe that in order for our people, our organizations, and our places to thrive, we all must have the capacity to innovate, to experiment, and to dream. Since 2022, we have awarded one $2,500 grant to a community benefit organization in Reno County who needs the gift of a little bit of resources to be able to imagine what more is possible beyond the day-to-day work of living out their missions.

What does your organization need to be able to dream? In adaptive leadership language, what do you need to get off the dance floor and onto the balcony? Is it an off-site retreat with your board and/or staff? An organizational coach? An immersive experience with the clients you serve? Funding for an experiment to test out a new program to better meet your mission? A field trip to another community that is doing something inspiring? Or some other creative idea that would give you time to explore how you could get closer to your vision?

Previous grant award winners have been Milestone Clubhouse (2022) for member visits to other Clubhouses ahead of accreditation, Reno County Museum (2023) for a joint board and staff teambuilding retreat, NAMI Reno County (2024) to make mental health resources more accessible, and Hutch in Harmony (2025) for staff rest and restoration.

⏳ This one-question application must be submitted by midnight Sept. 11 to be considered. One $2,500 grant will be awarded by peers at Hutch CF’s celebration event, UPLIFT 2026, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Oct. 8 at the Rhapsody on B, 9 W. Ave. B in Hutchinson. The grant is provided by the Fund for Reno County of Hutchinson Community Foundation and is given in honor of our Legacy Society.

Contact Senior Program Officer Jan Steen, [email protected] or 620-663-5293, for assistance.

🔹 Apply here ➡ https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=hutchinson

08/17/2026

Today's the day, Reno County!

📝The Love Where You Live Resident Perception Survey is live on RenoSurvey.com!

Surveys are available in English and Spanish and may be completed online or downloaded, printed and returned to the Community Foundation office. Survey closes 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟑𝟎.

💰And this year communities across Reno County could receive a proportionate share of a $50,000 grant pool based on their percentage of all survey responses received countywide. The maximum share per community is capped at 30 percent.

🗣 Make your voice heard and take the survey today at RenoSurvey.com. It's easy, fast and makes a real difference!

08/10/2026

📣 Hutch CF is gearing up for the 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 of the Love Where You Live Resident Perception Survey, and we want Reno County residents to be a part of it.

Join us for a mobilization meeting at 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰, 𝐀𝐮𝐠. 𝟏𝟏, to learn more about the initiative, what residents have already said over the past two years of the survey, and about this year’s $𝟓𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐨𝐥.

💰This year communities across Reno County could receive a proportionate share of a $50,000 grant pool based on their percentage of all survey responses received countywide. The maximum share per community is capped at 30 percent.

Learn more and register for the Zoom meeting here 👉 tinyurl.com/v6bt55mx

📆 And don't forget: The survey 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐠. 𝟏𝟕

The survey is part of the Love Where Live Community Empowerment Initiative, a three-year effort designed to strengthen Reno County communities by amplifying residents’ voices, encouraging community engagement, and promoting collaborative action. We’ve partnered with Innovation Economy Partners to gather solid benchmarking data through the resident perception survey that will allow residents to make lasting positive change and build stronger community pride. The results will also inform future initiatives and investments of foundation grants and outside resources and to catalyze action.

In the past two years of surveys, residents have said they most want to attract new businesses, remove/renovate blight, improve public infrastructure, increase access to affordable/quality housing, and expand local business. Data from years one and two of the initiative can be found at RenoSurvey.com.

Last year 1,144 residents responded to the survey and the foundation would like even more people to participate this year! Residents as young as 16 are urged to take the approximately 10-minute survey at RenoSurvey.com. Surveys are available in English and Spanish.

Read more about year three of the Love Where You Live Community Empowerment Initiative here 👉 https://hutchcf.org/reno-co-towns-have-chance-at-piece-of-50k-grant-pool-as-part-of-survey/

📝 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐀𝐮𝐠. 𝟏𝟕 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭. 𝟑𝟎 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐲.𝐜𝐨𝐦.

https://hutchcf.org/reno-co-towns-have-chance-at-piece-of-50k-grant-pool-as-part-of-survey/

Communities across Reno County could receive a proportionate share of a $50,000 grant pool thanks to this year’s Love Where You Live Resident Perception Survey.

08/07/2026

⏰ Don’t miss out! Grant applications are due by midnight tonight.

If you’re planning to apply for an Impact Cycle Two grant, make sure your application is submitted before the deadline. See the information below to apply.

🚨Grant Opportunity for Reno County Nonprofits!🚨

Hutchinson Community Foundation is now accepting proposals for Impact Cycle 2 of 2026 Fund for Reno County Grants!

⏰Apply by Aug. 7 for projects that align with the following categories and purposes:

🔹Dynamic Culture – Projects that enhance and celebrate local arts, theater, history and tourism. (up to $20k)
🔹Thriving Kids – Projects that support high-quality early care and education, youth development and families. (up to $20k)
🔹 Strong Organizations – Projects that strengthen the capacity, sustainability and effectiveness of Reno County community-based organizations. (up to $7.5K)
🔹 Community Catalyst – Projects that improve community engagement, communication, confidence, and pride. (up to $2.5k)

Open to 501(c)(3) orgs & fiscally sponsored groups serving Reno County.

📆Apply online: https://hutchcf.org/nonprofitsandgrants/available-grants/
❓Questions? Contact Jan Steen at [email protected] or 620-663-5293.