At the Manhattan Community Health Foundation (MCHF), we believe that true health extends beyond hospital walls. As a catalyst for community health, MCHF partners with local organizations to fund ground-level initiatives that target social determinants of health, promote preventative wellness, and champion equitable care for all.
Recently, Patrick Avila, President of Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, presented $1,000 grant awards to four outstanding organizations driving transformative change in Riley County:
Community Overnight Cooling Shelter
The Center of Hope Ministry
- Executive Director: Jeremy Harmon
- Project Overview: Safe shelter is an indispensable entry point to physical and emotional health. Following their successful winter warming model, Center of Hope established an overnight cooling shelter during peak summer heat.
- Community Impact: The grant funds dedicated overnight staff to ensure a safe, low-barrier environment for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, connecting vulnerable neighbors to wrap-around medical and social resources.
Nutritious Daily Meal Program
Common Table Inc.
- Executive Director: Bethany Stock
- Project Overview: Common Table serves a free, balanced evening meal 365 days a year to anyone in need, no questions asked.
- Community Impact: MCHF grant dollars directly support Common Table’s weekly purchases of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables from community partners like A&H Farms. By offering fresh produce like peaches, tomatoes, and squash, Common Table ensures over 25,000 meals served annually promote long-term nutritional health.
Senior Fitness Scholarship Program
Manhattan Senior Center Inc.
- Executive Director: Liz Nelson
- Project Overview: Designed specifically for adults over 60, the Senior Center offers diverse, low-impact physical exercise classes tailored to varying fitness levels.
- Community Impact: This grant funds full-year fitness memberships for seniors facing financial hardship. Regular participation helps older adults maintain mobility, increase muscle strength, improve balance to prevent falls, and combat social isolation in a dignified, welcoming setting.
Wonder Workshop Children’s Museum — Fueling Our Future
- Executive Director: Katie Seel
- Project Overview: Serving youth in grades K–12 through Summer Camps, Afterschool Clubs, and School Days Out.
- Community Impact: Proper nutrition is vital for childhood development. Grant funding enables Wonder Workshop to distribute nearly 4,000 wholesome, healthy snacks annually to enrolled children—many from low-income households—teaching kids to adopt positive lifestyle choices early on.
How to Apply for a Community Health Grant
Do you lead a non-profit organization working to improve health, wellness, or healthcare access in Manhattan? MCHF reviews grant applications three times per year (March, July, and October).
- 📩 Learn more and download application forms at: healthymhk.org/grant/community-grants/
- 📞 Questions? Contact Foundation Director Chris Spooner at 785-587-5462 or [email protected].