Youth-Led Council Awards $5,000 in Grants, Hutchinson Community Foundation Seeks New Volunteers
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — High school students across Reno County are distributing thousands of dollars to local organizations through a unique youth-led philanthropy program while the Hutchinson Community Foundation seeks new volunteers for its expanding initiatives.
The Youth Philanthropy Council, made up of Reno County high school students who learn about the community while working alongside each other to evaluate project proposals and award $5,000 in grants to youth-serving organizations, is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 program cycle. To be considered for the 2025-2026 Youth Philanthropy Council, forms should be submitted by Sept. 19.
The Youth Philanthropy Council of Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded $5,000 in grants to nine organizations at a ceremony in March at the Hutchinson Art Center. The program represents a distinctive approach to engaging young people in community grantmaking.
The group began meeting in November to discuss local issues of concern to youth and the community, learn about grantmaking, and present grants to youth-serving organizations. Recent recipients included diverse youth-focused programs throughout Reno County.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Hutchinson received $500 to help purchase equipment and materials for the club's Future Welders of Tomorrow program designed to introduce youth to welding and metalworking. The organization received an additional $600 to purchase equipment for the club's Lyricism 101 program, focused on empowering middle school students through DJing, music production and lyric writing.
Hutchinson NAACP Youth received $500 to purchase books for a book club established to promote cultural awareness, empathy and literacy among minority youth through the exploration of books centered on diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Other recipients included Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters, which received $425 to help purchase supplies, food and beverages for game and craft gatherings between Bigs and Littles, and Nickerson High School's Debate & Forensics program, which received $425 to help offset student costs associated with attending the National Speech and Debate Association national tournament.
Memorial Fund Honors Local Philanthropist
The grants were awarded from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy, established by the Dillon family to honor Dick Dillon for his extensive philanthropic work in the community. Each spring the Youth Philanthropy Council, made up of Reno County high school students, distributes approximately $5,000 in grants to youth-serving organizations from the Richard W. Dillon Memorial Fund for Youth Philanthropy.
Grant requests up to $1,000 will be considered. Grant awards typically range from $250 to $1,000 and average $750.
Foundation's Broader Impact
Since 1989, the foundation has granted more than $104 million to organizations. The Hutchinson Community Foundation operates multiple grant programs beyond the youth council.
Hutchinson Community Foundation awarded Fund for Reno County grants totaling $183,947 to 28 nonprofit organizations in its first impact cycle this spring. Established in 1990, the Fund for Reno County Endowment serves as a permanent resource for the changing needs of Reno County.
Recent major grants included $20,000 per year for two years to Hutch in Harmony to help launch the Hutch Pass: Hutchinson Cultural Passport Program, an interactive and educational experience encouraging residents to explore cultural, historical and artistic sites across the county.
The Emancipation Committee received $11,500 to help with the costs of inviting an in-state and an out-of-state marching band to participate in the annual Emancipation Parade in August.
Seeking Community Volunteers
The community foundation seeks volunteers for the following: Board of Directors Youth Philanthropy Council Standing committees. The board of directors and various standing committees meet monthly or every other month throughout the year to provide expertise and guidance to the organization and its initiatives.
Service Profile Forms for all volunteer opportunities are accepted year-round and may be completed here: https://hutchcf.org/about-us/volunteering-with-hutchinson-community-foundation.
Mission and Leadership
Hutchinson Community Foundation fosters collaboration and encourages philanthropy to strengthen communities across Reno County. Hutchinson Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to inspire philanthropy, collaboration and innovative leadership to strengthen Reno County communities.
The foundation was created in 1989 and has evolved into what it describes as a community catalyst and investor of nearly $70 million in Reno County.
For questions about volunteer opportunities or grant programs, contact the foundation at 620-663-5293 or visit hutchcf.org.