Heartland Special Needs Foundation Grant Guidelines

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a Heartland Special Needs Foundation grant, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The applicant (or beneficiary) must be a person with a documented disability or an organization providing services to the special needs community.
• The applicant must be currently receiving government benefits such as SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid, or in the application process and can provide documentation of submission.
• Applicants are not required to have a Special Needs Trust or ABLE account to apply.
• The request must be for a current or future need, not to pay off existing debt or past-due expenses.
• Grant deadlines are quarterly, and will be considered after the closing of each fiscal quarter: March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 for each calendar year.

Examples of eligible requests may include (but are not limited to):

• Medical or therapeutic equipment not covered by insurance
• Assistive technology
• Accessibility modifications (e.g., ramps, adaptive home equipment)
• Transportation needs
• Educational or enrichment activities that enhance quality of life like camps or classes

 Grant Amounts and Funding Priorities

• Grant awards are dependent on available funds, demonstrated need, and alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
• Partial funding may be awarded at the discretion of the Grant Committee.

 Grant Review and Approval Process

1. Submission: All applications must be completed in full and include all required documentation and supporting materials. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
2. Committee Review: Once a complete application is received, it will be reviewed by the Grant Committee, composed of members of HSNF’s Community Partnerships, Education, and Development Committees.
3. Recommendation: The Grant Committee will recommend recipients based on financial need, eligibility, and the potential impact of the funds.
4. Board Ratification: Final approval must be ratified by the Heartland Special Needs Foundation Executive Board before any funds are awarded.
5. Notification: Applicants will be notified in writing regarding the status of their application once decisions are finalized.

 Grant Distribution

• Funds will be distributed directly to the vendor, service provider, or organization providing the approved goods or services whenever possible.
• Grants will not be paid directly to the applicant or their family members.
• Recipients may be asked to provide verification that grant funds were used as intended.

 Additional Terms

• Previous grant recipients may reapply after a 12-month waiting period from the date of their last application.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
• The Foundation reserves the right to verify all information provided and to request additional documentation if necessary.
• Decisions made by the Grant Committee and Executive Board are final and not subject to appeal.

 Non-Discrimination Statement

Heartland Special Needs Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic in any of its programs or activities.

General Eligibility & Application Rules

1. Residency Requirement – Heartland Special Needs Foundation serves individuals and families living in the state of Kansas or Missouri. Applicants must reside within the state of Kansas or Missouri to qualify for funding consideration.
2. Age Requirement – Grants are open to all ages.
3. One Application per Cycle – Applicants may only be awarded one grant per calendar year. Grant cycles are quarterly, and deadlines for grants to be considered are March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 for each calendar year.
4. Documentation Requirement – Require proof of disability and proof of government benefits (SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, etc.).
5. Conflict of Interest Rule – Applicants may not be employed by or volunteer on the HSNF Board or committees. Family members of the HSNF Board or committee members may apply for a grant, but the related family member may NOT vote on said application.

Funding & Use of Funds Rules

1. No Cash Payments to Individuals – Funds should go directly to vendors or service providers.
2. No Reimbursement for Past Purchases – Purchases made before the grant award date are not eligible and grants are not intended to be used for existing debt.
3. Use Within Timeframe – Grantees must use the funds within a set period (e.g., 6 months or 1 year) or the grant will be forfeited.
4. Proof of Purchase/Service – Require receipts, invoices, or confirmation of service from the vendor.

Review, Selection, and Oversight

Scoring Criteria based on: 

• Demonstrated need
• Potential impact
• Financial circumstances
• Alignment with mission 

1. Committee Confidentiality – Committee members will keep all applicant information confidential.
2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure – Members must abstain from voting if they know an applicant personally.
3. Verification Rights – The Foundation reserves the right to verify eligibility or request additional documentation.
4. Final Decision Authority – The Board has final authority on awards and all decisions are final.

Sharing the Impact of Our Grants

Heartland Special Needs Foundation does not require recipients to provide testimonials, photographs, or post-award reports as part of the grant process. However, we value the opportunity to highlight the meaningful difference our grants make for individuals and families in our community. With the recipient’s consent, the Foundation may share a general account of how grant funding was used for outreach or educational purposes, including social media and marketing materials, to illustrate our mission and community impact. Any shared content will be used solely to support the work of the Foundation. 

 Standard Legal & Compliance Language

• All grants are made at the sole discretion of the Heartland Special Needs Foundation.
• Grant decisions are based on available funds and alignment with the Foundation’s mission.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.
• The Foundation reserves the right to modify or terminate the grant program at any time.
• Funds cannot be used for any purpose prohibited by law or inconsistent with the Foundation’s charitable purposes.

GRANT APPLICATION