Kansas Masons Award $100,000 to Nonprofit Organizations Through Community Grants Program

Kansas Masons Fund 18 Community-Focused Initiatives Across Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (August 25, 2026)—The Kansas Masonic Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Kansas Masons, has awarded $100,000 to 18 organizations across Kansas through its second annual Local Community Grants Program.

Launched in 2025, the Local Community Grants Program is designed to strengthen the impact of local Masonic Lodges by providing funding for charitable and community-focused initiatives throughout the state. In August 2026, the Kansas Masonic Foundation’s Masonic Lodge Relations and KMF Charities Committees reviewed nearly 100 grant requests submitted by Lodges across Kansas. After careful consideration, the committees selected 18 recipients to receive grants of $5,000 or $10,000, totaling $100,000 in funding.

“Our local Lodges understand the needs of their communities because they live, work, and serve in them every day,” said Bob Shively, Executive Director of the Kansas Masonic Foundation. “Through the Local Community Grants Program, we’re able to support their efforts and invest in organizations that are making a meaningful difference for Kansans across the state.”

Recipients of the Local Community Grants Program are selected based on their local presence, proposed community impact, and plans for using grant funding to directly benefit the geographical area of their sponsoring Masonic Lodge. Eligible projects support six key areas of community need:

• Community and Economic Development: Enhancing local communities to benefit individuals and families.
• Education: Supporting schools, adult education, retraining programs, and after-school enrichment.
• Public Safety: Providing training or equipment to strengthen local safety initiatives.
• Quality of Life: Expanding access to recreation, arts, and cultural experiences.
• Health and Human Services: Offering medical screenings, treatment, and essential social services.
• Hunger Relief: Delivering charitable meals and snacks to individuals and families in need.

The 2026 grant recipients represent a diverse range of community needs and causes, from public safety and health to arts, culture, and community development. Grants will be presented to recipient organizations by their respective Masonic Lodges in September.

2026 Local Community Grant Recipients

• Anthem Lodge No. 284 (Scott City): Leisure Years Center — $5,000
• Anthony Lodge No. 200 (Anthony): The Arts Center Inc. — $5,000
• Belleville Lodge No. 129 (Belleville): Brown Grand Opera House — $10,000
• DeSoto Lodge No. 40 (De Soto): Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care — $5,000
• Douglass Lodge No. 151 (Douglass): Erin Is Hope Foundation — $5,000
• Ellsworth Lodge No. 146 (Ellsworth): Smoky Hill Childcare Foundation — $5,000
• Emporia Lodge No. 12 (Emporia): Emporia Fire Department — $5,000
• Erie Lodge No. 76 (Erie): Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging — $10,000
• Henri Lodge No. 190 (Tonganoxie): Tonganoxie Fire Department — $5,000
• Hiawatha Lodge No. 35 (Hiawatha): Horton Police and Fire Brown County Rescue Squad 48 — $5,000
• Holton Lodge No. 42 (Holton): Atchison County Rural Fire District #2 — $5,000
• Hope Lodge No. 155 (Howard): City of Howard — $5,000
• Keystone Lodge No. 102 (Coffeyville): Coffeyville Veterans Memorial Park Association — $5,000
• Lafayette Lodge No. 16 (Manhattan): Museum of Art & Light — $5,000
• Lindsborg Lodge No. 397 (Lindsborg): Lindsborg Old Mill and Swedish Heritage Museum — $5,000
• Parsons Lodge No. 117 (Parsons): Galesburg Fire Department — $5,000
• St. Thomas Lodge No. 306 (Colby): USD Play 315 — $5,000
• Vulcan Lodge No. 229 (Walnut): Walnut Community Organization — $5,000

About the Kansas Masonic Foundation:
As the philanthropic arm of Kansas Masons, the Kansas Masonic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to benefiting Kansas communities and supporting fellow Masons and their families. Since its inception, the foundation has invested more than $50 million in Kansas communities and individuals through funding academic, scientific, and charitable endeavors. For additional information about the Kansas Masonic Foundation and to get involved, please click here.

About the Grand Lodge of Kansas:
The Grand Lodge of Kansas is the governing body of Freemasonry in Kansas, established on March 17, 1856, five years prior to Kansas’ statehood. Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most widely recognized fraternal organization in the world. Freemasons are men, aged 18 and over, of good character who strive to improve themselves and make the world a better place. Kansas Freemasonry encompasses nearly 11,000 Kansas Masons and 170 Lodges across the state. For more information, please visit kansasmason.org.