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Menocause: Ignite Valley Center Funds 13 Projects 

The Menocause: Ignite Valley Center (MOC) Fund is a charitable component fund managed under the umbrella of Valley Center Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation. The mission of MOC is to provide an avenue for local men to engage in philanthropy. This men’s club was established to create a pool of financial support for charitable projects that will benefit the citizens in the Valley Center area.

 

Annually, about half of the funds raised are granted to local charities or groups (schools, non-profits, etc.), and the other half raised is endowed for a permanent funding stream.

The MOC campaign has a leadership advisory board that includes Chair, Spike Anderson; VC, Tony Wilber; Secretary, Mark Schmelzle; and Treasurer Aaron Wiechman. The 2026 Grant Reviewer Committee was comprised of locals Justin Jackson; Austin Hubert; Tyler Gentry, JR Bryant, Jeff Forrest, Brendan McGettigan, and Adam Dunn.

 

Since 2018 they have raised in excess of $440,000 and awarded $359,356 in charitable community impact. Help us in congratulating the 2026 Recipients.

 

Menocause: Ignite Valley Center 2026 Grant Awards – $22,000 Granted:

  • First United Methodist Church-Main Street Threads operational expenses
  • Friends of the VC Library- AWE Learning Children’s Bi-Lingual Early Literacy Station
  • From the Ground Up-Hornets Holiday 2026
  • Life Point Church – Hope Valley Center 2026 support
  • Simply Hygiene- Confidence for Kids: School Hygiene Program
  • USD 262 Valley Center Schools-High School Culinary Class essentials
  • USD 262 Valley Center Schools-Valley Center High School Food Pantry
  • USD 262 Valley Center Schools- West Elementary 2026 Family Literacy Night & Grandparents Night Events
  • USD 262 Valley Center Schools-Valley Center High School Link Crew
  • VC Community Scholarship Supporting Valley Center graduates who lead, serve, and give back to their community.
  • VC School District Education Foundation Provides financial resources to USD 262 teachers
  • Valley Center Historical Society and Museum -Upstairs Air Conditioner
  • Valley Center Rec Center- iREC lobby room vending machine purchase

DONOR CONNECTION – FEBRUARY

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Imagine the future.

Your community foundation helps bring your charitable goals to life.

Hello from the community foundation! 

We hope you are staying warm during these winter months. As always, we’re happy to share what’s trending across the charitable giving world. Whether you established a fund at the community foundation years ago or recently, or you’re thinking about doing so this year, we are here for you. 

—New tax laws effective in 2026 could significantly influence how charitable giving fits into your overall financial plan. The community foundation team is happy to share information about key changes, including new deduction thresholds, limits for high-income donors, incentives for non-itemizers, and expanded opportunities for retirees. Consider sharing our updates with your tax advisors while also keeping the community foundation in the loop. We stand ready to assist! 

—A new year is the perfect time to bring intention and clarity to your charitable giving. Lean on the community foundation’s checklist of three simple steps to help you reflect on past giving, understand how new tax laws may affect you, and set meaningful goals for the year ahead. You won’t regret getting an early start, and our team is here to help. 

—Life insurance can be a powerful but often overlooked tool for achieving your charitable and legacy goals. The community foundation is happy to work with you and your advisors to evaluate life insurance strategies to complement your donor-advised fund and other giving vehicles as part of your well-rounded charitable plan.

Thank you for allowing us to serve as your home for charitable giving! We’d welcome a conversation about your goals for charitable giving in 2026 and beyond. Getting a jump on the planning process is a great way to start a new year off on the right foot.  

Warmly,

Angie Tatro

CKCF CEO

Looking for some past information? We now have an archive of our newsletters on the CKCF website!

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Newton, KS 67114

www.centralkansascf.org

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