Free funder guide · Kansas · Last checked 16 October 2026
Which Kansas environmental funders actually accept applications
Most private foundations in Kansas have already told the IRS they won't read your proposal. This page explains how to spot them, and lists 11 secular funders of environmental and conservation work in Kansas that do take applications, with what they fund, what they have given, and when they next open.
Of the 153 open Kansas foundations, 59 made an environmental grant in their latest filing, and 48 of those also gave to a church, a YMCA, the Salvation Army or another faith-based group. Only one Kansas private foundation is on this list. Most of the open money for Kansas conservation groups comes from state, county and national programs.
From my own read of IRS filings, September 2026
In Kansas, 210 of the 363 private foundations with $1 million or more in assets tick the box on their tax return saying they don't accept unsolicited requests. That is 58%.
That leaves 153 larger Kansas foundations that say they will read an application. It is a lower share of closed doors than in Nebraska (62%, 178 of 286), Oklahoma (66%, 285 of 432) and Missouri (76%, 1,178 of 1,559), counted the same way.
How I counted: every private non-operating foundation with a Kansas address on the IRS Exempt Organizations Master File (September 2026 release) reporting assets of $1 million or more, checked against its most recent e-filed Form 990-PF (mostly tax years 2024 and 2025). Operating foundations, which mostly run their own programs, are left out, as they were for Nebraska, Oklahoma and Missouri. Counting them too gives 60% (237 of 396).
What the checkbox means
One small box on the tax return tells you whether to bother.
Every private foundation files Form 990-PF with the IRS each year. Part XIV, line 2 of that return has a checkbox. A foundation that ticks it is telling the IRS, in writing, that it chooses its grantees itself. A proposal sent to it is usually wasted work.
"Check here if the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."Form 990-PF, Part XIV, line 2
A foundation that leaves the box empty has to fill in lines 2a to 2d instead: who receives applications, what form they should take, any deadlines, and any limits on who or what it funds. For many small family foundations, those four lines are the only published guidelines they have.
The box does not tell you whether a foundation funds your kind of work. For that, read line 3a, the list of grants it actually paid. Check both before you write a letter of inquiry. Any foundation's return can be read free on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
11 funders
Open to applications, and funding environmental work in Kansas.
Every funder below is secular, says it accepts applications (on its website or its tax return), and has paid grants to environmental or conservation groups in its most recent filing. Government programs are the exception: they file no tax return. Community foundations are listed by the program that fits environmental groups. Grant examples come from each funder's latest IRS filing unless the funder's own site is named.
Verified date on the funder's own site on 16 Oct 2026Expected based on last cycle; next not yet postedFiling only no website; from the tax return, confirm firstCheck site next date not posted; open their page
Statewide and regional public grantmakers
01
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Solid Waste Reduction Grants
Topeka · statewide
State grants for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting projects, recycling equipment, and environmental education and outreach. Counties, cities, solid waste regions and universities apply directly; a nonprofit or other private group is eligible only if the local government that runs the county's solid waste plan identifies it as providing a needed service.
Typical grant
Up to 75% of eligible costs; the applicant covers at least 25%, half of that in cash (grant guide). Nonprofit awards in the state fiscal 2027 round: Full Circle Sustainability, Topeka, $20,799; Zero Waste Initiative, Salina, $12,000.
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 window ran March 15 to May 15, 2026 and has closed. Next window about March 15 to May 15, 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Application form and grant guide on KDHE's grant forms page; talk to your county's solid waste planner first if you are a nonprofit.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: WRAPS and Section 319 Watershed Projects
Topeka · WRAPS watersheds statewide
Federal Clean Water Act Section 319 and State Water Plan money for multi-year projects in Kansas's Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) areas: working with farmers and ranchers on best management practices for cropland and livestock, technical help, and information and education. Sponsoring organizations apply.
Typical grant
Award size is not published. The last round funded three-year projects running July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028 (its site).
Next deadline
The last round took applications October 1 to 31, 2024. No new round is posted Check site.
How to apply
Emailed application with the components KDHE lists on its project funding page; a work group reviews proposals and then holds an in-person review.
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Recreational Trails Program
Pratt · statewide
Federal trail money for building and maintaining recreational trails. KDWP reimburses 80 percent of approved project costs, and 30 percent of the money goes to motorized trail projects. Its past award lists include nonprofits such as Friends of the Kaw and Central Kansas Conservancy (fiscal 2022).
Typical grant
80 percent reimbursement; the local match cannot come from another federal source (its site). No dollar cap is posted.
Next deadline
The last deadline was November 14, 2025. KDWP's grant page says it is not taking applications now and posts no 2026 date Check site.
How to apply
Emailed application with KDWP's forms, a detailed cost breakdown and a site plan.
Douglas County: Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program
Lawrence · Douglas County
County grants for community projects that protect, conserve and share Douglas County's natural and cultural heritage. Nonprofits are eligible; the county's Heritage Conservation Council reviews applications and recommends awards to the county commission.
Typical grant
Up to $60,000, with Seed grants of $5,000 or less; projects should finish within two years. $250,000 was available in 2026, $40,000 of it for Seed grants (its site).
Next deadline
Once a year. The 2026 applications were due March 5, 2026. The program reopens in January 2027 (its site); the 2027 due date is not posted yet, likely early March 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application during the open cycle; the county posts a view-only copy, the review rubric and the timeline in advance.
Bureau of Reclamation: WaterSMART Cooperative Watershed Management Program
Kansas and 18 other western states
Funding for watershed groups to organize, write a watershed restoration plan and design projects. An existing watershed group incorporated as a nonprofit can apply, and a nonprofit can apply to sponsor a new group.
Typical grant
Up to $100,000 a year for up to three years, with no cost share (its site).
Next deadline
Four closing dates under the current notice: October 7, 2026 (passed), February 24, 2027, September 1, 2027 and February 15, 2028. Next: February 24, 2027 Verified.
How to apply
Apply to funding opportunity R26AS00349 through Grants.gov; the program page links a recorded July 2026 applicant webinar.
Pays for qualified conservation nonprofits, local governments and tribes to buy private forest land outright and keep it as a community forest with public access. Conservation easements are not eligible.
Typical grant
Up to $600,000, covering at most 50% of project costs with a 50% non-federal match (its site).
Next deadline
Fiscal 2026 round: applications were due to state foresters by October 13, 2026, and that round has closed. The next round is not posted yet Check site.
How to apply
Notice of funding opportunity on Grants.gov; the application goes to the state forester (in Kansas, the Kansas Forest Service).
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Southern Plains Grassland Program
Washington, DC · all of Kansas
Voluntary grassland conservation on working ranches across the southern Great Plains: better grazing management, reseeding, removing woody invaders, prescribed fire, prairie-chicken and pronghorn habitat, and technical help for ranchers. All of Kansas is in its focus area, and nonprofits are eligible.
Typical grant
Typically $150,000 to $400,000 over one to three years, with at least a 1:1 match (2026 request for proposals). Kansas grants in NFWF's filing for the year to September 2025, which does not name the program: Kansas Grazing Lands Coalition $217,421 (prairie grassland restoration), Comanche Pool Prairie Resource Foundation $156,342 (prairie and grassland birds), Ranchland Trust of Kansas $70,961 (protecting 3,000 acres of grassland).
Next deadline
About mid-November 2026 Expected. The 2026 round took full proposals by November 13, 2025, with awards in March 2026; the 2027 request for proposals is not posted yet.
How to apply
Full proposal in NFWF's Easygrants system; groups short on match are asked to contact NFWF before applying.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Five Star and Urban Waters Restoration
Washington, DC · Kansas priority: Lyon and Osage counties
Community partnerships that restore wetlands, streams and riparian habitat, build nature-based stormwater projects and involve local residents in the work. Each project needs several local partners. Kansas's priority area in the 2026 request for proposals is Lyon and Osage counties.
Typical grant
$30,000 to $150,000, 30 to 40 grants a year, with at least a 1:0.75 match to be competitive (2026 request for proposals).
Next deadline
About June 2027 Expected. The 2026 full proposals were due June 4, 2026; the 2027 request is not posted yet.
Douglas County Community Foundation: Elizabeth Schultz Environmental Fund
Lawrence · Douglas County
One grant cycle a year for local efforts to preserve and understand nature, in scientific, cultural, educational, aesthetic or economic ways. Nonprofits, tribal entities and local governments can apply if the work benefits Douglas County residents.
Typical grant
Its 2025 cycle gave $26,940 across five projects, including Limestone Community School (playground ecosystem restoration) and LiveWell Douglas County Coalition (an arboretum path and walking trails at the fairgrounds) (its site).
Next deadline
Once a year; the 2026 cycle has closed. Next deadline about July 2027 Expected.
How to apply
Online application through the foundation's grant portal; it posts application tips first.
Greater Manhattan Community Foundation: Grants for Greater Manhattan
Manhattan · Greater Manhattan area
The foundation's yearly competitive round, open to nonprofits serving the area. Conservation, preservation and beautification is one of its nine focus areas; one-time and ongoing activities are both considered.
Typical grant
Requests should typically be $10,000 or less; 2025 grants totaled $189,520 (its site). Environmental example: Friends of the Konza Prairie $3,000 (summer teachers' workshop at the Konza).
Next deadline
Once a year, January 1 to 31. The 2026 window has closed. Next about January 1 to 31, 2027 Expected.
No website; everything here comes from its 2024 tax filing. A small family foundation whose latest grants include an arboretum and a city park project, alongside museums and community buildings.
Typical grant
Six grants totaling $110,860 in 2024. Green-space examples: City of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, $81,210 (Basin Spring Park improvements), Bartlett Arboretum Society, Belle Plaine, $12,000.
Next deadline
None stated on the filing Filing only.
How to apply
Send a full proposal plus one copy to RoxAnn Banks Dicker, PO Box 579, Bonner Springs, KS 66012, as the filing directs.
It is not exhaustive and it is not a ranking. Deadlines and guidelines change, so open each funder's own page before you start. Grants are competitive, and past grant sizes describe what a funder gave, not what it will give you. I list secular funders only.
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