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GROW II Main Focus of CKCF Affiliate Summit

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The impact of the GROW II matching grants has brought tremendous awareness and growth for those served by the Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF).  Building stronger communities through charitable giving was front and center at the recent annual Affiliate Summit this past week hosted at the Kansas Learning Center for Health, Halstead, Kansas.

The Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) GROW II matching grant program is about improving the lives of Kansans through both healthier people and stronger communities. It was designed to increase philanthropy in Kansas, to improve the health of Kansas children and to develop a network of local partners, including Foundations like CKCF.

CKCF Executive Director Angie Tatro reported the Foundation has grown from $8 Million under assets to $18.8 Million under assets since the award in 2011. She attributes the growth largely to the awareness generated from the matching grant opportunity.

Specifically, the CKCF and its affiliates, Halstead, Hesston, Peabody, Hillsboro and Butler County, raised more than $6 Million in eligible match during the grant, and Kansas Health Foundation then matched more than $1.7 Million for health initiatives in Kansas and Halstead still has a chance through the remainder of 2017 to meet their match.

Halstead Community Foundation was awarded in 2012 a $300,000 matching grant from KHF, to date they have approximately $120,000 in remaining matching opportunity. Tatro said, “Halstead is a community like all of ours that will benefit greatly by fulfilling this match opportunity.” In all participating GROW II communities a KHF Public Health Fund and a Foundation Operations Endowment are established by the matching funds.

Grant recipients are funding grants for playgrounds for kids to get exercise, better access to healthcare through clinics in rural areas and emergency kits with supplies for use by law enforcement during a crisis.

“Back in 2012 the Hesston EMT applied for a $250 grant to develop an emergency kit, complete with medical supplies, a tourniquet and keys to the school and other government buildings.” Susan Lamb, Hesston Community Foundation director shared. “During the Excel shooting February 25, 2016, the kit was employed and the tourniquet was used to save the life of at least one individual. This grant was funded through the KHF- Hesston Fund, established with matching funds.”

According to KHF President and CEO Steve Coen, GROW II has allowed the KHF to leverage more than $42 million across Kansas to meet the health needs of Kansans.

“When the Kansas Health Foundation started the Giving Resources to Our World (GROW) program in 1999, our goal was to help build the capacity of community foundations and encourage healthier communities,” said Coen.  “We are very proud of the Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) and its affiliates who continue to grow their resources and help provide local grants for the unique, health needs of their residents.  We appreciate the generosity of individuals and families who give to the CKCF to support stronger, healthier communities across Kansas.”

If the health of Kansans is important to you, consider a donation to the Halstead Impact Fund, this fund will generate a 50% match, the highest available, for helping HCF meet their GROW II match opportunity. Please send your tax-deductible contribution to Halstead Community Foundation, P.O. Box 4, Halstead, KS 67056. If you have other interests for your charitable contributions, please contact CKCF at 316-283-5474 or angie@centralkansascf.org.

Pictured above L to R: Tim Hodge, CKCF Chair; Angie Tatro, CKCF Executive Director; JaLayna Carmichael, Halstead Director; Becky Nickel, Peabody Admin Assistant; Cynthia Fleming, Hillsboro Director; Susan Lamb, Hesston Director; Steve Coen, President and CEO Kansas Health Foundation.

About the Halstead Community Foundation (HCF)

The Halstead Community Foundation became an affiliate member of the Central Kansas Community Foundation in December 2010. Their mission is to enhance community well-being through expansion of educational opportunities, cultural enrichment, and improvement of human health and the physical environment. For more information please go to, www.givehalstead.org .

About Central Kansas Community Foundation

Central Kansas Community Foundation mission is “Building Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving.” Founded in 1995 Central Kansas Community Foundation based in Newton, Kansas is an intermediary between donors and charities, the community foundation helps donors establish funds that financially support meaningful, charitable programs and services in their community. Central Kansas Community Foundation also host numerous affiliate community foundations throughout Central Kansas.  www.centralkansascf.org

Community Foundation Introduces New Funds

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Read the Article on the Harvey County Independent 

Posted 8/17/2017

HALSTEAD—The Halstead Community Foundation has had a busy summer and is pleased to announce the addition of three new funds to benefit our community and schools.

The first, the USD 440 Endowment Fund, will be used to support the students, faculty and general district needs of USD 440.

“In the past, alumni have often contacted the district looking for ways to give back to the school that gave so much to them,” Superintendent Tom Alstrom said. “This fund will allow for an easy way to do that.”

A committee for the endowment fund will look at ways to enhance the school system, and together with the school board will fulfill needs or assist with projects otherwise not possible because of budget constraints.

The second, established with the Halstead Alumni Association, is the USD 440 Alumni Scholarship Fund. This scholarship aims to celebrate the tradition that many families share of having multiple generations of Dragons. Recipients must be graduating seniors who are the descendants of USD 440 Alumni, and they will have the opportunity to apply for this beginning in the spring.

Lastly, along with the family of Rex Fleetwood, the community foundation is proud to announce the Fleetwood Scholarship.  Fleetwood was a 1969 graduate of Halstead High School who loved debate class and math.  The Fleetwood family believes strongly in the support of education and that anyone should have a chance to take the next step, whether in college or trade school.

In setting up the fund, Donna, Rex’s wife, shared that even as he traveled around the world for business and pleasure, he never forgot his roots in Kansas and Halstead.  Rex’s sister, Ann Cuevas, said, “The family established this scholarship fund to give back to the community that helped us be successful in our own lives.”

Look for the Halstead Community Foundation at the Halstead Alumni Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 12, as well as at Riverside Park on Sunday, Aug. 13 when it will present this year’s grant recipients. To stay up to date on all the exciting opportunities from the Halstead Community Foundation, “like” us on Facebook.

For questions on these or any of our other funds, contact JaLayna Carmichael at 316-680-6271 or jalayna@givehalstead.org.

Hesston Community Foundation Director

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The quarter-time position for the director of the Hesston Community Foundation (HCF) is open.

Primary Responsibilities

Raising funds for the HCF endowment, managing grant opportunities and building relationships with grantees, engaging with HCF board of
directors and Hesston community and work as the liaison between HCF and host foundation-Central Kansas Community Foundation

Applicant must be a self-starter with strong written/oral communication skills and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Contact

Please contact Angie Tatro at angie@centralkansascf.org or call Central Kansas Community Foundation at 316-283-5474.

 

Kids FUNd Awards to 14 Charities

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Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) is pleased to announce the 2017 Central Kansas Community Foundation Kids FUNd grantees which are funded from proceeds from the L. Marie Haun Charitable Fund for Children.

Since 2005 the Kids FUNd has been supporting local projects and programs serving kids. Originally this fund was supported by the Sand Creek Station Pro/Am Golf Tournament. After 2012 the Pro/Am completed their support of the fund and the Haun Charitable Fund was started as a means of continuing the provision of making grants to kid serving charities. L. Marie Haun left a lovely legacy to support organizations not only in Harvey County, but in any service area of CKCF and their affiliates. The fund is eligible to those who have interest in children’s behavioral research, child welfare, teaching parent skills, and/or strengthening families.

This year $30,000 was given to 14 organizations that are providing programs and projects that are supporting area children and families. Here is the list of the organizations who received funding this year and are doing amazing work within our local communities:

  • Kansas Children’s Service League- “Period of PURPLE Crying Shaken Baby/Abusive Head”
  • Kids Need to Eat, Inc. – “Kids Summer LunchBox 2018”
  • Mirror, Inc. – “Youth as Resources/Empowered Youth Creating Positive Change”
  • Harvey County DV/SA Task Force, Inc. – “Building Better Lives for Youth”
  • USD 440 Halstead/Bentley School District – “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library”
  • EmberHope, Inc. – “Building Trauma Informed Care Capacity”
  • Sunlight Children’s Advocacy and Rights Foundation – “Sunshine Children’s Home”
  • Communities in Schools of Mid-America – “CIS Program at El Dorado Middle School”
  • Kansas Learning Center for Health – “Kids FUNd Corner”
  • Peace Connections – “Harvey County Circle of Hope – Youth Development”
  • USD 402 Augusta Public School District – “Ewalt Elementary Social/Emotional Learning Information and Support”
  • Augusta First United Methodist Church for Special Families – “Lending Library Program”
  • Community Playschool, Inc. – “Learning About Emotions Curriculum”

“I know that Marie would be so happy to see all the wonderful projects she has supported with the legacy she left”, stated Wynona Haun, Newton, sister in law to the late L. Marie Haun.  Wynona has served on the grants review committee the past four years and enjoys reviewing the applications each year.  “This year there was a total of 31 applications, and it is hard to determine what projects/programs to support because they are all worthy causes to support.”

Organizations were presented their awards at an award ceremony on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Old Mill Plaza, 301 N. Main, Newton @ 4 pm.

Central Kansas Scholarship Recipients Honored

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Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) located in Newton, Kansas serves the surrounding region as a parent foundation to twenty (20) affiliates, 15 of which are regional rural communities.

The foundation hosted the 2017 Regional Scholarship Award Ceremony at our Lady of Guadalupe, Newton, KS on Friday night, July 21, 2017. CKCF was celebrating 86 scholarship recipients for the 2017-18 academic year. Over 170 guests participated in the event that highlighted donors who make these scholarships possible.

The mission of this 501 (c) (3) charitable organization is to Build Stronger Communities through Charitable Giving. This mission provides direction for the main purpose of improving the quality of life for generations to come. A community foundations value is not just about today, but tomorrow. What could be more fitting than a celebration for students that will be the workforce of tomorrow. Angie Tatro, Executive Director said, “Investing in our youth is an investment in our Future.” She went on to say of the 86 recipients most will be attending higher education institutions in Kansas, however six students will be going out of state.

Scholarships distributed this year ranged in size from $500 to $3,400. Nearly $100,000 is being given this year through competitive and designated scholarship. CKCF manages 69 competitive scholarships and 12 designated scholarships. This specialized area of funds makes up about ten (10) percent of total assets under management at the foundation.

To bring home the meaningful nature of scholarships, Jacque Sundgren shared her family’s legacy of their daughter, Jenny Sundgren Baker. Steve and Jacque Sundgren lost their daughter in a car accident in 2003. They had a desire to keep her legacy alive. Jacque shared how their family has done this by establishing a donor advised fund (DAF) in Jenny’s name at CKCF as well as a scholarship fund for graduates of Flinthills High School, located in Rosalia, KS. Jenny had a fondness for the older population and annually the DAF distributes to the Butler County Department on Aging among other charities. This year the Flinthills high school scholarship recipient, Gina Brown, will be going to Wichita State University. Tatro said, “the Sundgren family has turned tragedy into triumph.”  Jenny’s legacy lives on as many, nearly most of the scholarships under management at CKCF. While not all scholarships are memorial funds, many are. “It is important that our students are aware of the source of their gift”, Tatro said.

In closing Tim Hodge, Chair of the CKCF Board, said “folks this is a special night, coming together as a region for a positive celebration.” He went on to congratulate the recipients and further express how CKCF is able to do this work because of community support and generous donors.

The event was sponsored by The Citizen’s State Bank, Edward Jones, Everence Financial, Office Plus, Stucky Investments, Peabody Community Foundation and Waddell & Reed.

Affiliates served by CKCF include the following communities, Butler County, Augusta, Douglass, El Dorado, Elk County, Florence, Fredonia Area, Goessel, Halstead, Hesston, Hillsboro, North Newton, Remington Area, Valley Center; plus, non-community affiliates that include: Franklin D. Gaines & Beverly J. Tipton Foundation; Second Century Library Foundation – Newton; Trinity Heights UMC Foundation; Walton Rural Life Center Charter School Foundation and Women’s Community Foundation.

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Angie Tatro, Executive Director at 316-283-5474. Together We Can Accomplish Great Things!

CKCF is Making an Impact | Recent News

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The Central Kansas Community Foundation has been working very hard to build stronger communities through charitable giving. Please enjoy reading through the latest Foundation news!

A 1995 Annuity Makes Community Impact

In 1995 Margaret E. (Reimer) Friesen recognized the plan to bring Newton Medical Center to Newton, Kansas was important to the community. She and her husband, William, established a single-life charitable annuity fund to support the efforts of the hospital in celebration of her 26-year career as a nurse.

Goessel Community Foundation Awards Scholarships

Two Goessel High School graduates were recently awarded scholarships by the Goessel Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation.

Halstead Community Foundation Awards Grant to the Kansas Learning Center for Health

The Kansas Learning Center for Health (KLCH) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $2,680.85 grant from the Halstead Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Kansas Community Foundation.  According to Carrie Herman, KLCH Executive Director, the grant will be used towards the updating of exhibits to continue inspiring Kansas’ students to make healthy choices.

 

Halstead CF Recognizes Outgoing Board Members

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Community Foundation Recognizes Outgoing Board Members

HALSTEAD Community Foundation Director Mary Kay Bean, far left, and Chairperson Ed Campbell, far right, presented Beth Ann Kingsley, Von Kaufman, Larry Williams and Karen Koehn with plaques Monday night in appreciation for their years of service on the foundation’s board of directors.

Four of the original board members of the Halstead Community Foundation were recognized recently for their years of service to the foundation, as their terms have now expired. Beth Ann Kingsley, Von Kaufman, Larry Williams and Karen Koehn were all board members when the community foundation was first developed six years ago, by then-mayor Kevin Pyle.

Foundation Director Mary Kay Bean and Foundation Chairperson Ed Campbell presented these outgoing board members with engraved plaques commemorating their service Monday night during the Halstead Lion’s Club meeting.

“We would like to thank these founding board members for all the work they’ve done and the leadership they’ve provided to the community foundation,” Campbell said.

Dan Evans and Jalayna Carmichael will both join the board of directors, and the foundation is still seeking people to fill the two remaining vacant positions.

The Halstead Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Central Kansas Community Foundation, is an avenue to build funds supported by many donors to improve the quality of life for Halstead residents.

By, Jared Janzen

Central Kansas Community Foundation Charges Ahead

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Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) located in Newton, Kansas serves the surrounding region as a parent foundation to twenty (20) affiliates, 15 of which are regional rural communities.

The foundation recently celebrated during their annual Board Retreat, Monday, February 27, 2017 a milestone, $20 Million in assets under management. The result of this growth in assets under management, becomes a community benefit as over $1.2 Million in grants and scholarships were awarded in 2016 to local charities and causes. CKCF manages over 20 competitive grant cycles, 64 scholarship applications and oversees designated and donor advised fund distributions.

The mission of this 501 (c) (3) charitable organization is to Build Stronger Communities through Charitable Giving. This mission provides direction for the main purpose of improving the quality of life for generations to come. A community foundations value is not just about today, but tomorrow.

Their history is solid. The Central Kansas Community Foundation was originally founded in 1995. Following a stable history serving a tri-county area the foundation merged in 2009 with the well-established Greater Newton Community Foundation. Today, the CKCF continues to demonstrate a commitment to strengthening communities across the entire Central Kansas region.

Affiliates served by CKCF include the following communities, Butler County, Augusta, Douglass, El Dorado, Elk County, Florence, Fredonia Area, Goessel, Halstead, Hesston, Hillsboro, North Newton, Peabody, Remington Area, Valley Center; plus, non-community affiliates that include: Franklin D. Gaines & Beverly J. Tipton Foundation; Second Century Library Foundation – Newton; Trinity Heights UMC Foundation; Walton Rural Life Center Charter School Foundation and Women’s Community Foundation.

Some may still ask, “What do they do?”, CKCF acts as a steward, protecting charitable dollars donors entrust with the foundation and watch out for those donors’ interests even after their gone. Donor may be individuals, families or businesses. CKCF strives on building relationships with donors, right down to their philanthropic interests, goals and even concerns. To ensure that the gift left to your community through the foundation is always used in the manner you intended and to the best possible effect, they provide hands on attention.

The Foundation prides itself in providing personalized services, 1) tools and resources that fit donor aspirations and community needs; 2) solutions to make giving an easy, flexible and effective process; 3) local expertise and in-depth understanding of community challenges and needs; and 4) community leadership in meeting those challenges and needs.

The long-term goal of your community foundation is to build permanent funds supported by many donors. Currently, the 90-and-counting members of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations have more than $3.9 billion in assets. In 2015 alone, foundation professionals and board members oversaw the reinvestment of $393 million into communities across the state. Through grants to various organizations and causes, community foundations truly make a difference in the lives of Kansans. CKCF is proud to be a part of this statewide effort.

The 2017 CKCF Board of Directors provides stewardship for this thriving community partner. Board Members include: Tim Hodge, Chairman; Jennifer Vogts, Immediate Past Chairwoman; Carrie Herman, Vice Chairwoman; Todd Kasitz, Treasurer; Marjorie Warta, Secretary; Rod Kreie, Finance Committee Chairman; Dr. Colin Bailey; Michael Barron; Brad Bartel; Amy Budde; Delores Dalke; Linda Ewert; Joel Gaeddert; Jason High; Ron Lang; Linda Ogden; NM Patton; James Regier; Melvin Schadler and Kathy Stucky.

Leaders make a difference in their success. They honored in December outgoing board members, Don Patry, Dick McCall and Jay Holstine.

Back Row (L to R): NM Patton, James Regier, Tim Hodge (Chairman), Brad Bartel, Todd Kasitz (Treasurer)
Middle Row (L to R): Rod Kreie (Finance Committee Chairman), Marge Warta (Secretary), Linda Ogden, Dr. Colin Bailey, Joel Gaeddert
Front Row (L to R): Carrie Herman (Vice Chairwoman), Jennifer Vogts (Immediate Past Chairwoman), Kathy Stucky, Linda Ewert, Amy Budde

Not Pictured: Mike Barron, Melvin Schadler, Delores Dalke, Jason High, Ron Lang

If you are interested in learning more, please contact Angie Tatro, Executive Director at 316-283-5474. Together We Can Accomplish Great Things!

Respond to shootings with positive change

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RESPOND TO SHOOTINGS WITH POSITIVE CHANGE

BY SUSAN LAMB

Our wider community has reached the “one year out” point after the tragic shootings in Harvey County last Feb. 25.

The Hesston Community Foundation, an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation, has administered a charitable fund that has provided grants to organizations and programs to support the victims and the wider community during the recovery process. It has been a privilege to participate in the distribution of funds that were pivotal in the journey of recovery for those most impacted.

Personally, I have witnessed that for most in our area, life has returned to normal.

One would expect to be reassured by the descriptor “normal.” I am not. Nor is my perspective on life in our area the same.

Normal in Kansas, perhaps nationwide, is troubling.

Many individuals of all ages and stations in life continue to battle addiction challenges that lead to self-destructive or criminal behavior. Too many families struggle with domestic violence, creating instability in marriages and relationships while exposing children to chaotic circumstances that negatively impact them for decades.

Mental health services require courage to access, and not all populations have the skills or finances needed to enter treatment. Our new-founded cultural commitment to cyber relationships prevents us from engaging our co-workers, neighbors and loved ones in authentic relationships.

The numbness following a workplace shooting in central Kansas may have diminished, but we are still in a battle. Are we engaging in the appropriate conversations about our plan of attack?

Kansas is facing a disproportionate public health crisis that needs to be addressed at all levels, and the clock is advancing rapidly.

As a recipient of a GROW II grant, our community has been impacted by the Kansas Health Foundation’s commitment to improve the health and culture Kansas. Other Kansans must also come together and get personally involved in positive change.

We request that you continue to pray for and remember those whose lives were forever changed Feb. 25, 2016. My wish in honoring the memory of those who lost their lives is that we unite and make positive change toward a better “normal” in Kansas.

Susan Lamb is director of Hesston Community Foundation.