To help sustain licensed childcare centers or nonprofit qualified family childcare homes (formerly classified as nonprofit group homes). In-home childcare providers are not eligible.
To assist with sustainability of quality nonprofit early education centers or qualified childcare homes in Northwest Kansas, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the State of Kansas – through the Children’s Cabinet, and the Patterson Family Foundation, have collaborated to create this permanently endowed grant fund.
The grant is intended to address a budget shortfall or unforeseen issue that, if not addressed, could result in the closure of the facility or closure of classrooms or jeopardize the standard of care provided.
The grant is not intended for:
Geographic Eligibility:Organizations must be in the 26-county service area covered by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and which includes: Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego, and Wallace Counties.
Childcare facilities must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Process to apply: 
For non-emergent applications, grants are due by:
Applications will be reviewed and grants announced in early September, December March and May.
Please email: [email protected] with the following information:
Subject line: Childcare Grant Emergency Request Submitted
Included in the body of the email:
You will still need to complete and submit the full application.
Please note, emergency grants would include an issue that requires immediate attention for the childcare facility to remain open or provide appropriate care to the children. Note the regular application deadlines for issues that are causing sustainability concerns, but are not immediate.
We highly recommend you read the questions in this section before you apply for a grant. If you have questions that are not answered on this page, or with help on the process, please contact us [email protected] or 785-734-2406.
Your Questions Answered:
Can I apply for expansion of my current facility?
No. The grant is intended for sustainability of operating childcare facilities that are facing an issue that makes it difficult to continue providing care.
Can I request coverage for an operational budget shortfall?
Yes. The application should explain the reason for the budget shortfall (unexpected loss of enrollment, increased rent, utilities, insurance or other required expense, multiple slots held for coming infants, etc.). Applicants will be asked if/how the issue will be addressed moving forward.
Can I apply for salary support for staff?
Consideration may be given for salary support if the facility is paying staff appropriate wages and or benefits and also charging recommended weekly rates. Exceptions to this should be explained with cause in the application.
Can I request a grant to subsidize cost of childcare for employees?
Maybe. The review committee will consider whether the facility charges parents – at minimum – the average fee, how much subsidy is provided, how it affects the overall budget, and how the subsidy fits into the overall compensation for the staff. Reference the Kansas Department of Children’s and Families Services data.
Can I apply more than once per calendar year?
Yes. However, unless it is an emergency request, generally this grant may only be awarded once a year. Requests should be written with a yearly budget in mind.
Additional information:
When possible, facilities must strive for full enrollment – while always meeting KDHE guidelines. It is understood that facilities will often “hold slots” while a current child in care ages up.
Family Childcare Home Guidelines:
Childcare Center Guidelines:
Where can I get a copy of the Project Budget Spreadsheet that is required for the application?
That spreadsheet can be downloaded here: https://gnwkcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/NWKS-Early-Childhood-Project-Budget-Spreadsheet.xlsx. Please be sure to complete both the Expense and Revenue sections. The totals of each section must match.
Resources for childcare providers:
Helpful CCAK Resource: https://ks.childcareaware.org/helpful-resources-for-providers/
We highly recommend you read the questions in this section before you apply for a grant.
If you have questions that are not answered on this page, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling 785-734-2406.
Yes. You can download a PDF giving detailed instructions on how to apply here: Download
When you click on the Grant Application link, you will be redirected to the GNWKCF Logon Page. If you are a first time applicant, you will need to click on the button “Create New Account” and complete the following information:
Then click the Next button
Then click the Next button
Then create a password and confirm the password (note that it must be at least 6 characters long)
Click CREATE ACCOUNT
You will then be prompted to confirm whether or not you have received an email that the account was created successfully. Check your email. If you do not receive the confirmation, be sure to check your SPAM or Junk Mail folder. You can continue without receiving this email; however, if it is not confirmed, you may miss important updates or notifications sent via email.
Contact us at 785-734-2406 or [email protected] if you have questions.
When you click on the Grant Application link, you will be redirected to the GNWKCF Logon Page. If an application has been submitted on behalf of the organization before, you have two choices:
It is always preferable to use an existing account if the organization has received prior funding; however, we understand that some organizations will have more than one person apply for funds. In these cases, each individual may create a unique logon for the organization. As long as the same FEIN number is noted, GNWKCF can combine the accounts on the back-end of the system. In this case, just follow the process to create a new logon.
If you want to use an existing account but cannot recall the logon information, click on the “FORGOT PASSWORD” button to have a password reset. If you do not remember the email account associated with the account, please call our office for assistance at 785-734-2406 or email us at [email protected].
We understand that in rural Kansas, it is not uncommon for one individual to help write grants for multiple organizations. Unfortunately, the grant application portal will only allow one email address to be used for one organization account.
There is a new option to use a “Collaboration” feature in the grant management portal. Click HERE to read how to use this feature.
If you believe there is an existing account setup for your organization but do not have that information, you can contact our office at 785-734-2406 or [email protected] to request assistance.
At a minimum, you will need the following:
