Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development HFED is a nonprofit, community-supported organization focused on strengthening the economy in Hiawatha and Brown County.

Hiawatha Foundation for Economic Development (HFED)'s mission is to strengthen the local economy in Hiawatha and Brown County by supporting business growth, workforce development, and quality-of-life investments. Formed as a non-profit in 1981 by community members who cared deeply about the future of their hometown, HFED continues to be guided by that same community-driven commitment today. HFED f

ocuses on building the conditions businesses and communities need to thrive—through business support, housing-related efforts, planning, and partnerships. Economic development is about helping people live where they work, supporting existing businesses, and planning for long-term community strength. HFED’s work is supported by a broad base of members, partners, and community supporters who believe in the future of Hiawatha and Brown County.

Today’s the day!If you’ve ever wanted to directly impact the look and feel of Hiawatha and Brown County, this is your ch...
05/22/2026

Today’s the day!

If you’ve ever wanted to directly impact the look and feel of Hiawatha and Brown County, this is your chance.

With your support during Match Day, HFED can continue helping local businesses improve and restore their storefronts through our Facade Improvement Grant Program.

We already have another local business on the waitlist, ready to move forward with their improvements as soon as funding is available for the next $2,500 grant.

Our goal is to raise enough to fund 3 more grants and continue building pride and investment in our community.

Every donation makes a difference, no matter the amount. Please consider a gift to HFED at this weekend's Match Day event or at https://www.givebacktomoveforward.com/nonprofits/Hiawatha-Foundation-for-Economic-Development

See below for how this grant helped Next Generation Financial Advisors and Carl's Body Shop improve the fronts of their buildings! A 3rd project is underway at Edward Jones Investments - Brad Edwards.

When you donate to HFED on Hiawatha Community Foundation's Match Day, your donation directly funds HFED’s Facade Improve...
05/21/2026

When you donate to HFED on Hiawatha Community Foundation's Match Day, your donation directly funds HFED’s Facade Improvement Grant Program — the only funding source for these grants.

The program offers $2500 in assistance to qualifying local businesses for exterior storefront improvements that help revitalize the community and preserve buildings, encourage reinvestment, increase foot traffic for businesses, improve curb appeal, and strengthen the overall look and feel of our community.

Last year, we were proud to award grants to 3 local businesses thanks entirely to donations from Match Day. Help us be able to award 3 more!

We invite you to consider making a donation to HFED during the Match Day event or online to help us continue investing in Hiawatha and Brown County, one project at a time.

We were honored to have Maren Lagaly from the Office of Rural Prosperity at Kansas Department of Commerce stop by the HF...
04/30/2026

We were honored to have Maren Lagaly from the Office of Rural Prosperity at Kansas Department of Commerce stop by the HFED office last week to officially present us with a $25,000 check for the SEED Grant.

We are excited to accept this grant on behalf of Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging to be used to provide tables and booths for its new cafe which is set to open at its new facility in a few months!

***Shared from the City of Hiawatha's page*** Join us to learn more about the Villas of Beautiful Maples Duplex...
04/13/2026

***Shared from the City of Hiawatha's page***

Join us to learn more about the Villas of Beautiful Maples Duplex Project near Bruning Park in Hiawatha.

➡️ Have questions about the project? Submit your questions now: https://forms.gle/btVLY3h5g9Q9gwsz6

We encourage respectful, constructive questions in advance via the link so we can provide the most helpful information possible.

To make the meeting as productive as possible, questions submitted through this form will be given priority in the meeting. This ensures we can provide complete, accurate answers to the topics the community cares most about. There will aslo be time for questions after all pre-submitted questions have been answered.

⏰ The form closes at Noon on Friday to allow time to review and compile complete answers.

Leaders from the City of Hiawatha, HFED, and the developer of the project will be present to walk through the project and answer questions.

We encourage you to attend to be part of the conversation.

Address

105 S 6th Street
Hiawatha, KS
66434

Telephone

+17857404333

Website

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