Total Impact

Summit ’26: Capital Orchestration for the Future of Place

Thanks to sponsorship of Kansas Health Foundation (KHF), three CKCF staff members attended an Impact Investing conference May 13-14 in Philadelphia. The conference brought together financial advisors, community lenders, investors, business leaders, community foundations and others to envision “investing in Main Street instead of Wall Street” with the goal of connecting capital with local community stakeholders.

Attending the conference were Kelly Azevedo of Fredonia, and Chad Hughbanks and Becky Nickel, both with CKCF. KHF is launching a plan to help fund Impact Investments across the State in partnership with local community foundations and other financial institutions.  

“Along with our partners, KHF and Network Kansas, Impact Investing opportunities can make a real difference in the communities we serve. As community foundation staff we are ‘boots on the ground’ for identifying potential projects,” noted Becky.

Impact Investment looks at creative ways to use capital to support communities that are often unable to get traditional loans or investments. “This type of financial support acknowledges that our communities thrive when we all work together – business, charity, governments and individuals all have our roles to play,” shared Kelly. “There are lenders with millions of dollars to invest who care about rural America and the projects that support Kansans and it’s exciting to be a part of the process!”

CKCF leadership will be reviewing and updating our 2022 Impact Investment policy in the coming months in anticipation of relaunching the program.

Goessel Community Foundation Awards Grant

The Goessel Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation, recently awarded a $2,500 grant to the Goessel City Library to assist the board with their Library Refresh Project- Comfort and Connections in the Goessel Community.

The library board has identified a number of critical needs and will use this grant to supplement other resources to address these needs. They look forward to developing the physical library space to better reflect the diversity of their resources and the needs of the Goessel Community. They feel the Goessel Community would greatly benefit from the library offering not only better seating for reading and visiting for young people and adults, but also an improved area for children to read and play. They want the library to be a Community Hub for the city of Goessel, providing resources and encouraging literacy, and playing an active role in community development as well by offering an inviting space.  

Pictured above: Dwight M. Flaming, GCF Chair, presenting Gretchen Bookout, (Goessel Librarian) and Susan Nafziger (Goessel Library Board representative) a $2,500 grant check.

Preserving Our Heritage and Honoring the Past

Last year my wife Karen and I established the Holt Family Fund for the Support of the Leon, Kansas Cemetery. Some may wonder why Karen and I chose to support a fund dedicated to maintaining our local cemetery rather than one focused on assisting living individuals.

This cemetery already receives adequate care from the funding from the Little Walnut Township. But Karen and I and some of our descendants will be buried in this cemetery and we wanted to make sure it continued to be well maintained and given extra care after we are gone. In addition to the fact that most of my relatives on both my dad (Don Holt) and mom (Dorothy Bogue Holt) are buried there, our decision stems from a deep respect for community history and the belief that caring for this cemetery is a vital way to honor those who came before us.



Cemeteries are not only resting places for loved ones—they are also important cultural landmarks, holding the stories and memories that shape our identity. Our Leon cemetery also serves as solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by service members (including one Medal of Honor recipient) buried there after their defense of our country. It provides a place for families and communities to honor and remember those who gave their lives, preserving the stories and values that shape our national identity.

This cemetery also offers valuable historical insights, helping future generations understand the cost of freedom and the importance of service. By maintaining these honored sites, we ensure that the legacy of our heroes endures and that their contributions are never forgotten.



Preserving the cemetery and the markers in it ensures that future generations can connect with their ancestry, learn about our region’s past, and reflect on the lives that built our community. When we give extra care to these special spaces, we demonstrate gratitude for the foundations laid by previous generations. While helping living people is undeniably important, we believe that supporting cemetery maintenance is an investment in our collective memory and a commitment to respecting our roots. By doing so, we foster a sense of belonging and continuity that benefits everyone.

-Jim Holt

Click the following link to contribute to this fund:

The Holt Family Fund Supporting the Leon Cemetery