In late August, Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) hosted a convening at Butler
Community College for affiliate leadership, community partners and other interested parties to
share information and opportunities associated with the most recent grant from the Funders
Network.
Presenters for the event included: Jeff Kohler, Mennonite Disaster Service, Cari Cullen, Center
for Disaster Philanthropy and Julie Stimson, Sedgwick County Emergency Management.
One important area of emphasis for the conversations that day was the emerging need for our
communities to be aware of marginalized populations who are under-served during a time of
disaster. Good conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion took place.
Represented affiliate foundations/communities learned about their eligibility for a $1,000 grant
to use for within their area to support this important work.
Grant awards will be used as follows:
Bethel College/North Newton CF
Invest in 22 emergency supply kits-Red Cross 3-day Emergency Pack for Bethe College residential halls which includes Haury and Voth Halls and Warkentin Court. Resident assistants in the buildings will be responsible for securing the supplies.
Butler County
Work with city managers in Butler County towns along with area landlords to collaborate on
increasing the number of renters in the county who hold renters’ and comprehensive auto
insurance. Utilize an informational campaign on multiple platforms to educate area renters on
the risks of being under-insured.
Elk County CF
Educate the community’s knowledge of emergency preparedness, response and recovery through distribution of an informational magnet with important contact details and a QR code that links to a website. Purchase a Heiman Viper Gallonage Nozzle for the Longton Volunteer Fire Department.
Goessel CF
Utilize the services of an engineer to explore the options for flood control and/or prevention in
the community of Goessel.
Halstead CF
Partnering with local organization, The Neighbors Store, the foundation will offer the opportunity for a pillowcase project for underserved populations. Supplies will include non-perishable items and a binder for essential documents.
Hesston College
Purchase six Bleeding Control Stations and five NOAA Weather Radios for placement in the residential areas of the college. Provide education to all students on proper usage of the new equipment.
Hesston CF
Partnering with Hesston Fire/EMS give community members with opportunity to create “GO BAGS” to be used by families in the event of a disaster. Bags will be backpacks that have File of Life documents, LED flashlights, phone chargers and water-resistant document folders.
Hillsboro CF
Working to enhance emergency preparedness in their community, the foundation will provide emergency site drone training and upgrade the body vests for law enforcement.
Newton CF
Partnering with the Harvey County Community Chaplain Response Team, the foundation will continue to grow their program for educating and supporting the Hispanic members of the community.
Peabody CF
Collaborating with students from the Peabody Middle and High Schools and the Peabody Fire Department, the group will work to clean curbs and paint house numbers on them for easier recognition by emergency responders.
Valley Center Police Department
Valley Center Police Department will purchase traffic barricades to assist during high traffic- pedestrian or vehicular-to keep citizens safe during a critical incident.
Wilson County
Partnering with Elk County, the Emergency Management department of Wilson County will provide a magnet with emergency information and a QR code. The public will have an opportunity to obtain the magnets at local partners, including city halls, libraries, senior centers and at community events.
Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) has worked in partnership with the Funders
Network of Coral Gables, Florida for five years as a part of a cohort of community foundations in the Midwest to increase our understanding of the role that philanthropic partners, especially community foundations, play in disaster education, preparedness, response and recovery. Over the years we have received several generous grants from the Funders Network that CKCF has used to support our affiliate foundations in this important work.
