List of Funds
A fund is a giving vehicle that makes it easy for donors to carry out their charitable desires.
​Establishing a Fund with the Norton County Community Foundation is a simple process. We'll talk through different fund types and what makes the most sense for your goals. Then we'll draw up an agreement, and your dollars can get to work in our community!
Descriptions of the funds held at Norton County Community Foundation are listed below:
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Operating Funds
NCCF Operating Fund
This fund covers NCCF operational needs, i.e. salaries and office expenses.
Organizational Funds
Empower Norton
This fund helps finance projects such as beautification, holiday celebrations, community promotion, and parks. Learn more.
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Norton Area Child Care Association Endowment
This fund was established in 2019 as an organizational endowment for Sunshine Learning Center.
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Norton County Arts Council, Inc. Endowment
This fund was established in 2022 to ensure the sustainability of arts initiatives in Norton County.
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Norton County Community Foundation Operating Endowment
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Norton County Community Service Association Endowment
This fund was established in order to support operations of Norton County's home-owned carnival.
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Norton County Health Department Endowment
This organizational fund was established to support county health and/or home health initiatives.
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Norton County Historical Society Endowment
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Norton Theatre Association Endowment
This fund was established to support ongoing operations and fund large projects at the Norton Theatre.
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Designated Funds
Crayons to Classrooms Fund
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This fund was created by Kellen and Emily Jacobs to help support the ongoing collaborative process that is open domestic adoption. Learn more.​
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Property Investments Endowment Fund
Established in 2024, this fund will award annual grants to "NCCF Property Investments, Inc." which is the nonprofit that owns and operates the historic Heaton Building and Lyons House in downtown Norton. Funds will be used for maintenance, historical restoration and preservation, gallery enhancements, etc.
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This fund pays a contractual obligation to the Almena Irrigation District to maintain a recreational lake level at Keith Sebelius Reservoir. Learn more.
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Field of Interest​​
Dane G. Hansen Foundation Community Grant Fund
This pass-through fund ​offers financial support via grants to qualifying and deserving projects and programs in Northwest Kansas. ​Apply for a grant.
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Economic & Entrepreneurship Impact Fund
These funds were created in 2019 with a gift from the Norton Development Corporation to be used for short and long-term investment projects in Norton County. They also include a loan pool designed to support entrepreneurial initiatives in Norton County.
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James & Barbara Johnson Family Fund
Established in 2021, this fund is intended to support charitable causes serving the city of Almena and its surrounding area, and the citizens in that area. Learn more.
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Norton County Unrestricted Grant Endowment Fund
This fund serves as the grant-making savings account with dollars received by the Hansen Foundation.
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Promoting Norton County Initiative Fund
One of the longest-held funds at NCCF, this fund was designed to fund projects/initiatives that promote and build Norton County.
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​Youth Skilled Therapy Financial Assistance Fund
This fund provides financial support for children who require skilled care in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Therapy and demonstrate a financial need for such service.
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Scholarships
Candace Gay Memorial Scholarship Fund
This fund started after the death of beloved elementary teacher, Candace Gay. It supports USD 211 students who have been involved in theater and/or forensics at NCHS.
Deines-Smiley Scholarship Fund
This scholarship was established as a retirement gift to LeRoy Deines by his employer, First Security Bank of Norton, and continued as a memorial fund after his death in 2003. When Rob Smiley (a former student and co-worker of LeRoy) passed, his memorials were also assigned to the scholarship fund. The first scholarship was awarded in 2004. The fund was transferred to NCCF in 2024.
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Della Connell Scholarship Fund
This fund is an endowed scholarship fund, which started from an initial investment from USD 211. Annual scholarships are awarded from this fund.
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Gladys M. Harper Scholarship Fund
Established in 2024, this scholarship was established to support a college sophomore, junior, or senior who graduated from Norton Community High School (USD 211). The student shall be full-time and in good standing.
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Glenn & Wilda Bowman Family Scholarship Fund
This fund provides an annual, merit-based scholarship to a graduating senior of Norton Community High School who will attend either Kansas State University or any vocational-technical college in the state of Kansas.
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J.R. Durham Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 2020 in memory of Jake Durham. The scholarship is intended for male or female wrestlers who are graduates of NCHS. Learn more.
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NCHS Alumni Scholarship Fund
This fund was established by the Norton Community High School Alumni Association to award an annual scholarship to an NCHS Senior who is going on to further their education.
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Norton Rotary Scholarship Fund
This fund was established in 2020 to benefit graduates of Norton Community High School who have been actively engaged in community service activities during their high school career.
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Donor Advised Funds
Benien Family Donor Advised Fund
Established in 2025, this fund was created to support charitable purposes in the following categories:
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Arts, Culture, Beautification, and Entertainment within Norton County
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Beautification of Trinity Episcopal Church
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Economic vitality of Norton County
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Recruitment and Retention of medical professionals within Norton County
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Student, Teacher, and Program Development at USD 211 in Norton
NCCF holds 2 additional anonymous Donor Advised Funds
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