How you fit in
How you fit in

Let Us Help You

Rural communities are full of potential. We’re here to help them realize it.
Here to help.

Are you working on something that strengthens your community? Tell us about it. We’re always on the lookout for organizations, ideas, and solutions that show rural grit and promise. Like Neal, we admire innovative planning and careful strategy. We like to say we’re seeking ‘good engines in need of fuel’. We’d love to hear about those engines in your community!

Our donor intent is

We are geographically focused on assisting Kansas and Western Missouri counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. We work with you to provide financial and strategic guidance in healthcare, education, and economic opportunity.

Our donor intent is:

Rural or rural-serving organizations

Focused on:
  • Health care
  • Education
  • Economic opportunity

Interested in applying for funding?

The Patterson Family Foundation primarily offers funding to 501(c)3 organizations that serve rural counties in Kansas and Western Missouri. We fund organizations that provide services in the following sectors: Health, Education, and Economic Opportunity.

Grant Types

The Patterson Family Foundation offers a variety of grants. Below you will find information about each grant type to help you identify which one your request may fall under. 

Program Grants: These grants help support individual programs operated by the applying organization. Funds go directly to specific programs whose successes are measurable by their desired outcomes. 

Operations Grants: Operations Grants can be used to build capacity for organizations that demonstrate long term sustainability in serving their mission. 

Equipment Grants: Equipment grants help supply organizations with the tools they need to get the job done. These grants can help cover the cost of items such as office supplies, power tools, electronics, and anything else your organization uses to serve its mission. 

Capital Grants: Capital Grants provide funding for the construction of physical structures. These types of grants are highly competitive, and applicants should expect a longer review cycle.  

Required Documents

Documents to Apply

The Patterson Family Foundation requires the following documentation for all grant requests. This is not a comprehensive list;  we may ask for additional documentation and information depending on the grant type. 

  • A copy of your organization’s Tax-Exempt Status declaration from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  • A copy of your organization’s most recent 990F form
Reporting

If you are awarded funds, your organization will be required to report to the Patterson Family Foundation on when and how these awarded funds were used. We may also ask for qualitative and quantitative data points on how to measure the impact of funding. 

On Carts & Horses

We will conduct diligence to get to know your organization, project, and proposals. During this review process, we will neither make nor imply any commitment to fund. Applicants should not publicly represent that we have agreed to fund your proposal until notified in writing. Funding decisions are not final until confirmed in writing via award letter, after which time a grantee is welcome to announce the funding from the Patterson Family Foundation. Funding by the Foundation does not imply partnership in any endeavor. In general, our Board prefers to make grants to projects that demonstrate sustainability and diversified cash and/or in-kind contributions.  

For More Information

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We are eager to assist!

“Create value and good things will happen.”

Neal Patterson

“Every opportunity is the result of a problem.”

Neal Patterson

“It’s all hard, complex and ambiguous at best.”

Neal Patterson

“Leading through vision is how you move the boundaries of an organization.”

Neal Patterson

“Live good lives. Be bold. Be brave. Don’t be a wimp.”

Neal Patterson

“The future can be changed in the present.”

Neal Patterson

“You have to have fun along the way. You can’t wait for it.”

Neal Patterson