The Patterson Family Foundation’s Innovation in Community Engagement grant program seeks to support imaginative and forward-thinking projects designed to increase meaningful community participation in rural areas. This opportunity is specifically focused on engaging all generations of rural residents through creative models and initiatives that foster long-term involvement and vitality in local communities.

Grants range from $25,000 to $500,000, enabling both smaller pilot projects and larger-scale initiatives. The Foundation is particularly interested in funding programs that introduce new ideas and approaches for community engagement that can be sustained and scaled over time. Proposals should aim to bring people together, strengthen community ties, and spark ongoing participation from diverse groups across the rural population.

Eligible applicants must serve counties in Kansas and western Missouri with populations under 50,000 residents. All applicants must first register through the Patterson Family Foundation’s Grants Portal, where their eligibility will be reviewed prior to being granted access to the Letter of Intent (LOI) application. The LOI submission period opens on April 1, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST, and is split into two rounds: LOIs for Round 1 are due by April 18, 2025, and those for Round 2 by July 3, 2025. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full application, due May 9, 2025, for Round 1 and July 25, 2025, for Round 2.

Determinations will be communicated in August for Round 1 and October for Round 2. Early LOI submissions are highly encouraged to allow adequate time for proposal development if selected to move forward.

The Foundation underscores a competitive, rigorous, and transparent review process. Participation in the application cycle does not guarantee funding. All final grant awards are confirmed in writing through formal award letters, and recipients will be provided with guidelines for appropriate public announcements and communications.

For application support, Office Hours are available from 1–3 PM, where applicants can schedule time with the Office Manager, Sasha Winterowd, by emailing sasha.winterowd@pffkc.org at least two business days prior to the desired session. Applicants are asked to include their name, email, preferred date, and three questions to discuss. General inquiries can be directed to info@pffkc.org.