Newton Public Library Foundation, a CKCF affiliate, has reached 90 percent of its goal for the WHERE COMMUNITY CONNECTS Campaign to help construct a new Newton Public Library to benefit Newton and surrounding communities.
The campaign, with an October deadline, has a goal of $2.7 million to augment funding from the City of Newton and Newton Public Library for the $10 million project. The new library will be built adjacent to the existing library, and is designed to be a place for reading, learning, creating, and connecting. Features such as an updated children’s library, a dedicated teen area, private study rooms, an additional meeting room, and an indoor/outdoor seating area will provide an inviting space for traditional library experiences and new opportunities. By making the library accessible, up-to-date, and inviting, we can ensure that Newton Public Library can continue to provide quality service for generations to come.
If you wish to explore alternative ways of giving, please contact Angie Tatro, CEO, to learn more about IRA gifts, gifts of securities, tax credit opportunities and more. She can be reached at angie@centralkansascf.org or 316-239-9451.
The Peabody Community Foundation (PCF) is exploring community improvement, especially as it relates to housing, as part of an opportunity through the Kansas Association of Community Foundations experiment to apply the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the rural Kansas context. PCF is one of five community foundations in the state to participate in the SDG project.
The effort is being led by five local influencers, selected for their community involvement and leadership: Tom Spencer, Peabody Mayor; Ron Traxson, PCF board member; Becky Nickel, PCF Director; and community leaders, Lynn Berns and Susan Mayo. This group is making housing their primary focus and anticipates procuring funds for research and the implementation of housing projects.
In addition to conducting dozens of stakeholder interviews, the SDG Team hosted a public meeting facilitated by WSU’s Community Engagement Institute on July 11, all in an effort to solicit input about the housing needs and priorities in Peabody.
“Our SDG Team is energized about the potential of working within the SDG framework to address our community’s needs. There are 17 SDG goals and we’ve narrowed our focus to Goal 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities,” said Nickel. “Each goal has several targets under it. The first target under Goal 11 is adequate, safe and affordable housing which is a real need in Peabody.”
At its April planning session, the PCF Board of Directors named community improvement as a goal for the foundation, which aligns with the SDG goal for Sustainable Cities and Communities. The Board anticipates close collaboration with the SDG Team and the Peabody City Council toward this goal.
In addition to working locally, the five Kansas SDG teams are learning about efforts around the world where the SDG goals are being applied to issues like poverty, education, and hunger. PCF, like many community foundations, is already working to reduce poverty and promote healthy lifestyles by granting funds to local charities with programming in these areas. The SDGs provide a blueprint for asset development, community engagement, and investment strategies.
Pictured above are the presenters and recipients of this years’ Women of the Year Scholarship Cycle (left to right: Casie Powell, Lauren Anton, Kaitlyn McMullin, Savannah Hunsucker, Jennifer Vogts and Ada Schmidt-Thiesen)
65 Total Scholarships
118 Scholarship Recipients
Scholarhip Ammounts:
$250 – $5500 each
Total Amount Awarded:
$127,700
“This year’s scholarship cycle was finalized in May. The scholarship award letters have been sent out and it has been fun to see what the recipients have chosen to do in the next phase of their lives. We wish them all the best as they move forward!” -Kim Stahly, CKCF Scholarship Program Officer.
Are you interested in growing your scholarship programs? View this SAMPLE LETTER from a fund advisor in Fredonia, KS.
He is strategically engaging a targeted people (alumni of a specific graduating class) and successfully connects with them in one very specific way. The proof of their success is in the amazing growth the fund has seen over the years.
The Hesston Community Foundation board of directors voted unanimously to grant $2,000 to team 7862D, Jones Braker and Madi Tozier, to attend the World’s Robotics Championship in Dallas, TX May 5-7, 2022. As the program is outside the scope of school support and funding, the team sought funding in the amount of $3,000 from community sources, including the Foundation, to cover the cost of their team registration and travel expenses.
The duo recently won the Innovate Award at the State Competition. Shortly thereafter, VEX invited Jones and Madi to participate in the World Competition. Their team is the only one from Hesston attending the World Competition. Considered an opportunity of a lifetime, they are the only team to go to worlds in three years from Hesston.
Madi and Jones are sophomores at Hesston High School. Jones is a sophomore, and this is his 2nd year in robotics. He joined the team to exercise his ability to think three-dimensionally in order to create something tangible, something you can see at work. Madi is also a sophomore and is grateful for the opportunity to have attended state and excited to attend World’s. She joined robotics because her brother talked highly of it and it sounded challenging and fun. She has quickly excelled in the program.
The members of the team are perfectly matched. Their innovative robot has a symmetrical design with a claw lift, goal lift and ring scoring technique. Together, they have overcome many obstacles including coding, building, win-point and driving. Their work has qualified them for six awards, including an out-of-state award. The Innovate Award, which qualified them for the World’s Championship, was given to them for a specific, unique piece of engineering that exemplifies thinking outside the box and innovative engineering design.
This spring we held our virtual “State of the Foundation” address on March 16, 2022.
Angie Tatro, CEO of Central Kansas Community Foundation, provided information regarding current events and statistics. CKCF’s Primary Investment Manager, Graystone Consulting, provided a report on the investment pool and also share market considerations. You can watch the recording of the address below. And remember, you can always access our financials at a glance HERE.
(L to R) Marisa Javier (HCF Board Member), Laura Delaney (Parkside Homes CEO) and Max Heinrichs (HCF Chairman)
In 2020, the Hillsboro Community Foundation (HCF), an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation, set up the Helen and Laurine Schafer Charitable Fund. Helen proactively had made arrangements prior to her death, directing part of her estate to HCF for the establishment of a charitable fund, benefiting health related projects in Hillsboro. In the fall of 2021, the HCF board of directors designated a grant of $5,000 to both Parkside Homes and Salem Home.
Starting in 2022 the fund’s spendable balance will be part of the annual grant cycle. We look forward to utilizing this fund to support future health related projects in Hillsboro, fulfilling the charitable intent of these generous donors.
(L to R) -Max Heinrichs ( HCF Chairman), Marisa Javier (HCF Board Member), Lisa Donahue (Public Relations and Marketing) and Peter Mungai (Salem CEO)
On January 15, 2022, CKCF renewed our national accreditation with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. We are very pleased to have received this validation for our organization quality and the positive impact we have on our communities. This is a 3 year accreditation process. Here is an excerpt from our acceptance letter.
Dear Central Kansas Community Foundation,
Congratulations on your community foundation’s accreditation with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations®. Thank you for your work, dedication, and patience during the accreditation process. The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations® accreditation program represents your foundation’s commitment to go above and beyond federal and state law requirements to demonstrate accountability and excellence to communities, policymakers, and the public.
Kind regards,
Kevin van Bronkhorst and Stephanie Audain on behalf of the Community Foundations National Standards Board
Our Central Kansas service area is overjoyed and grateful to our donors, partners, volunteers and friends every day of the year, but it’s great to have one day to spend the whole day counting our blessings. Thank you for being a part of our mission for building stronger communities through charitable giving.
Wishing you a bountiful holiday as you spend it with your family and friends.
Newton Public Library Foundation, a CKCF affiliate, has reached 90 percent of its goal for the WHERE COMMUNITY CONNECTS Campaign to help construct a new Newton Public Library to benefit Newton and surrounding communities.
The campaign, with an October deadline, has a goal of $2.7 million to augment funding from the City of Newton and Newton Public Library for the $10 million project. The new library will be built adjacent to the existing library, and is designed to be a place for reading, learning, creating, and connecting. Features such as an updated children’s library, a dedicated teen area, private study rooms, an additional meeting room, and an indoor/outdoor seating area will provide an inviting space for traditional library experiences and new opportunities. By making the library accessible, up-to-date, and inviting, we can ensure that Newton Public Library can continue to provide quality service for generations to come.
