Governor Laura Kelly announced the 14 recipients of the second cohort of the Rural Champions program. These individuals will join a statewide network focused on addressing key projects in rural communities.
The program, inspired by a Kansas Sampler Foundation report and created by the Office of Rural Prosperity in partnership with the Patterson Family Foundation, aims to help rural areas overcome barriers like limited funding. Each selected community receives a one-year stipend of $20,800, along with training, resources, and up to $25,000 to implement their projects at the year’s end.
“Since day one, my administration has been focused on the needs of our rural communities and the quality of life in every region of the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Creating the Office of Rural Prosperity was only the beginning of our support for rural Kansans and their needs. By developing the Rural Champions program, we are assisting communities to find local solutions to specific local challenges.”
The 2024-25 Rural Champions include:
| Organization | Community | Project area(s) |
| Cardinal Community Foundation | Nemaha County | Community/Economic Development |
| Cheyenne Community Development Corporation | Cheyenne | Housing |
| City of Herington and CVB | Herington | Downtown Revitalization |
| Comanche County Economic Development | Comanche County | Grant Writing/ ED Regionalization |
| Grinnell-Promoting Pride & Progress | Grinnell | Downtown Revitalization |
| Harvey County United Way | Harvey County | Childcare |
| Healthy Bourbon County Action Team | Bronson | Placemaking/ Recreation |
| Hodgeman County Economic Development | Hodgeman County | Housing |
| Lane County Community Foundation | Dighton | Food Access-Rural Grocery |
| Legacy Regional Community Foundation | Cowley County | Food Access |
| Rooks County Healthcare Foundation | Rooks County | Workforce Recruitment |
| Stafford County Economic Development | Stafford County | Childcare |
| The Building Community | Fredonia | Community/Economic Development |
| United Way of the Flint Hills | Emporia | Homelessness |
