(Independence, MO – November 8, 2023) Truman Heartland Community Foundation will award 62 grants totaling $453,733 in grant funding at the 28^th Annual Grant Luncheon. This year, THCF received more than $1.1 million in grant requests from local nonprofits seeking funding for projects and programs impacting Eastern Jackson and Cass County communities. However, THCF only has $413,199 available through endowed community grantmaking funds to award. Grant awards will be presented at a special luncheon on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at Adams Pointe Conference Center located at 1400 NE Coronado Drive in Blue Springs, Missouri, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In addition to the grants provided by endowed funds held at THCF, the Foundation’s current fundholders and other partners are given the opportunity to “Fill the Gap” and provide additional funding for grants that were approved by the Foundation’s Grants Committee but were not able to be fully funded at the level requested. This year, more than $40,000 was added to the competitive grant pool, increasing the total amount of funding provided to $453,733.

"I am always heartened by the generosity of our fundholders," explains Diana Castillo, THCF Director of Grants and Donor Services. "Each year, I have a number of them chomping at the bit for our Fill the Gap list to be published so they can see which organizations they can give to and help them reach their goal. The looks of surprise on the nonprofit staff member's faces at the Luncheon when they realize they are getting a bigger grant check than they thought, it is just so moving."

The THCF Grants Luncheon brings together community leaders, local businesses, and nonprofit organizations to celebrate the power of giving and recognize the impact of philanthropy. THCF offers two types of competitive grants each year: The Jelley Family Foundation Endowment for Children's Education and Community Grants. Jelley Family Foundation grants focus on children’s education, whereas Community Grants address arts, culture, and historic preservation; adult or non-traditional education; community betterment; health and human services; and wildlife conservation in Missouri. Grant funding enables nonprofit organizations serving the area to continue and expand their much-needed services.

A very special thank you goes out to all the individuals who gave up countless hours of their personal time to review each of the grant applications received by THCF. Led by Allan Thompson as Chair, the THCF Grants Committee was committed to its task. Thank you to all those who participated in this mammoth annual effort: Cathy Allie, Ted Bowman, Rev. Aaron Brown, Dr. Robert Cordell, Beth Franklin, Ryan Gibson, Nancy Griego, Lori Halsey, Liesl Hays, Damon Hodges, Mayor Mike Larson, Dave Mayta, Ritchie Momon, Joe Mullins, Steve Noll, Tom Rohr, Merideth Rose, Dr. Beth Rosemergey, DeeAnn Stock, Trish Totta, and Dr. Joy Vann-Hamilton. Without the work of these caring volunteers, THCF could not review grants in such a thoughtful, thorough, and timely manner.

For more information about THCF’s grant program or how to apply, please visit www.thcf.org/grant-seekers.

Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to improving area communities by promoting and serving private giving for the public good. Founded in 1982, THCF serves individuals who, through their private giving, wish to support the public good in the most tax-wise and effective manner. Through THCF, donors can set up their own family foundations, scholarship funds, field of interest funds, endowment funds, charitable gift annuities, and many other charitable vehicles that utilize the foundation’s shared resources to maximize the impact of their philanthropic dollars. In addition to donor services, THCF provides asset development for nonprofit organizations, offers competitive grant opportunities to nonprofits, assists organizations in planned giving, and serves as a change leader in addressing community issues. For more information, visit www.thcf.org or call 816-836-8189.

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