Events & Community Involvement
Big Impact in Small Towns: Twin Valley Awards $35,600 in Grants to Support Community Projects in Kansas
June 23, 2025
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Libraries, schools, fire departments, and local governments are among this year’s community grant recipients — with this year’s funding total doubling that of 2024.
A public library will soon offer hands-on computer training. A city government is set to improve its parks. A fire department can now upgrade critical safety equipment. And local schools are introducing new tools to support student learning.
These are just a few of the projects made possible by Twin Valley’s 2025 Community Grant Program. Ten organizations across rural Kansas received a combined $35,600 in funding for initiatives that improve safety, expand access to technology, and enhance community spaces. The total award is double the amount awarded last year — a reflection of Twin Valley’s continued growth and expanding investment in rural communities.
Though each project is unique, they all share a common goal: strengthening communities and improving quality of life through meaningful, long-lasting impact.
The annual Community Grant Program is open to nonprofit and public entities within Twin Valley’s service area. It prioritizes efforts that create a long-term direct impact, particularly in digital inclusion and community development. The program is part of Twin Valley’s pledge to support local communities in meaningful ways.
“Our Twin Valley family has served rural Kansas for four generations, and these grants are an extension of that legacy,” said Ben Foster, president & CEO of Twin Valley. “We believe in building up communities — not just through technology and connectivity, but by supporting the people and projects that make these towns thrive for generations to come. Doubling our investment this year reflects both our company’s growth and our deepening commitment to that mission.”
2025 Community Grant Recipients
Here’s a look at the projects being supported through this year’s funding:
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Belle Plaine Public Library – Belle Plaine, KS – $3,000
Belle Plaine Public Library received a $3,000 grant to purchase laptops with webcams. The new equipment will allow the library to provide technology training for adults in the community, helping them complete online courses, connect virtually, and build digital skills, improving access to education and employment opportunities.
“Twin Valley has been a great partner to our library for years,” said Jessica Greenlee, Library Director. “With new laptops with modern features needed to thrive in today’s digital landscape, we’ll be able to help more patrons access online courses, virtual tutoring, and other essential online opportunities.”
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City of Cedar Vale – Cedar Vale, KS – $5,000
The City of Cedar Vale received a $5,000 grant to make improvements to two local parks. In Hewins Park, funding will support the replacement of worn swing seats and the planting of new trees. At Veterans Park downtown, near the senior center, new landscaping and shade trees will be added to create a more welcoming space for residents and visitors.
“The grant from Twin Valley allowed our city to replace damaged trees in our beautiful Hewins Park and add trees to our Veteran’s park to help enhance the memorial,” said Casey Mills, City Clerk. “We were also able to replace swings and playground equipment in Hewin’s Park to make it safer for our younger citizens. With the grant we have now started a program for the citizens to purchase trees for our parks.”
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City of Elk Falls – Elk Falls, KS – $1,600
Elk Falls received $1,600 to install shade structures at the city park and playground. These areas currently lack shelter from the sun and are often used by children, families, and visitors. The new structures will offer relief during hot summer days, improving comfort for the farm-to-table market and other community events.
“We were very excited to get the Twin Valley Grant. The funds helped in our efforts to provide an outdoor space for the Elk Falls community,” said Carl Mitchell, Mayor, City of Elk Falls. “The pavilion is a great addition to our little park. Thank you!”
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City of Greenleaf – Greenleaf, KS – $3,000
The City of Greenleaf received $3,000 to enhance a memorial park by upgrading a flower garden that honors local Veterans and longtime community members. The project includes removing a tree, installing irrigation and edging, and replanting the area with perennials. The low-maintenance garden will complement the existing memorial stones and a new gazebo being added by a local family.
“Memorial Park will be beautifully enhanced thanks to support from Twin Valley,” said Jerry Baker , Maintenace Supervisor, City of Greenleaf. “Our flower garden will be a lasting tribute to our veterans, local families, and community members who have given so much. We look forward to creating a peaceful, low-maintenance space that can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
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Cowley County Fire District #3 – Burden, KS – $5,000
Cowley County Fire District #3 received $5,000 to update equipment and technology in their training facility. As a volunteer-led department serving a large rural area, these improvements will help ensure firefighters and first responders from across the county have access to modern resources that support effective, hands-on training.
“As a small, rural department made up of dedicated volunteers, we rely on support from our community and partners like Twin Valley to keep improving,” said Chris Cannon, Fire Chief, Cowley County Fire District #3. “This grant allows us to make necessary upgrades to our training space so we can better equip our team and continue providing vital services to residents throughout the county.”
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FlagshipKansas.Tech – Kansas – $5,000
FlagshipKansas.Tech received a $5,000 grant to provide educational kits and computational thinking curriculum models to 150 K-12 teachers attending the Ad Astra Technology Summit. The kits will allow teachers across Kansas to bring hands-on technology experiences back to their classrooms, fostering digital literacy and inspiring the next generation of tech talent.
“Twin Valley is a vital partner in our shared mission to build a stronger, tech-powered future for Kansas,” said Luis Rodriguez, co-chair of FlagshipKansas.Tech’s Ad Astra Technology Summit. “Their support of the Summit is equipping educators with the training, curriculum, and hands-on tools needed to engage students in technology and develop core computational thinking skills. Their steadfast commitment to Kansas shows they live their values, and we are proud to call them partners.”
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Garfield Elementary School – Clay Center, KS – $2,000
Garfield Elementary received a $2,000 grant to install a nonverbal communication board on the playground. This tool will support inclusive play by helping students with communication challenges express themselves and engage with peers during recess and outdoor activities.
“The communication board has already made a meaningful impact at our school,” said Anna Knepper, President of the Garfield Elementary School Parent Educators Partnership. “It’s helping non-verbal students express themselves, encouraging inclusive play for children of all abilities, and introducing our school community to new ways of communicating. We’re so thankful for Twin Valley’s support and commitment to accessibility—it’s making a difference every day on our playground.”
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Longton Senior Center – Longton, KS – $1,000
The Longton Senior Center received a $1,000 grant to replace aging tables used for community events and commodity distribution. The current tables are heavy and worn, making them difficult for seniors to handle. New tables will improve safety and functionality for both older adults and younger community members using the space.
“We’re thankful for Twin Valley’s support and the positive impact it has on our programs,” said Annette Barnaby, Project manager for Longton Senior Center. “With this grant, we’re able to replace essential tables used not only for activities, but also for vital services like food distribution, voting, and community health events. This helps us better serve everyone who relies on the Senior Center.”
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USD 384 – Randolph, KS – $5,000
USD 384 received a $5,000 grant to purchase two Promethean Boards for classrooms that have not had access to this interactive technology. The boards will be installed in a middle school math class and a new fourth-grade classroom, enhancing lessons with multimedia content and interactive learning opportunities.
“We’re grateful for the support of Twin Valley and their Community Grant Program. This support is helping us enhance student engagement in our middle school classrooms,” said Rex Boley, Superintendent, USD 384. “The addition of Promethean Boards provides our teachers and students with powerful tools to support interactive learning and collaboration every day.”
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Warrior’s Ranch, Inc. / The Magdalene Project – Junction City, KS – $5,000
Warrior’s Ranch, Inc., operating The Magdalene Project, received $5,000 to support its mobile outreach work in Geary and Riley counties. The organization provides essentials like food, clothing, and hygiene items, along with case management and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness or instability. Funds will help expand programming that includes critical life skills training and a Veteran employment pipeline.
“We’re honored to partner with Twin Valley to launch our ‘Own Your Life’ program,” said Jodi Mason, Executive Director. “This grant will support the curriculum, supplies, and guest educators needed to deliver critical life skills to individuals starting over, from Veterans to those overcoming homelessness or addiction. Together, we’re equipping our community with the tools to build a stronger, healthier future.”
Building Community Together
These projects reflect the diverse needs and remarkable creativity of Kansas communities. Each recipient is helping build a stronger, more connected rural Kansas.
“One of the best parts of this program is seeing the creativity and passion that each community brings to the table,” said Aaron Wertenberger, Twin Valley strategic operations manager and program administrator. “Whether it’s adding shade to a local park or creating access to digital learning, these projects are driven by people who deeply care about their community and neighbors within — and that’s what makes them so impactful.”
The grants were made possible, in part, by matching grants from Twin Valley’s partners, the Foundation for Rural Service and CoBank. The next cycle of grant applications are open and the deadline to apply is August 1, 2025. View all details at twinvalley.com/outreach.
