Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) announced their 2017 charitable grant totals. The charitable funds under their management support worldwide, state and local nonprofits in central Kansas, in turning hopes into realities.

• 64 competitive grant cycle funds gave $382,984
• 21 organizations & agency funds, gave $627, 212 (with one-time distribution of $500,000)
• 76 designated funds gave $370,142
• 27 donor advised funds gave $116,738
• 50 scholarship funds gave $94,753
• Charitable gift annuities gave $17,774
• Grand total of grants given to charitable entities in 2017 = $1,609,605.45

CKCF’s mission is to Build Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving. The projects/programs that were funded will open the future to many possibilities. Annually, more than a million dollars in community impact is provided in the following areas: Animal Welfare, Arts & Culture, Community Preservation & Revitalization, Emergency Disaster Needs, Health & Human Services, Science & Education, and other non-categorized areas, example being Operations.

Based in Newton, Kansas CKCF is a host foundation. They are a 501 (c) (3) not for profit organization with a Board of Directors. Serving in 2017-18 are Carrie Herman (Chairwoman), Tim Hodge (Immediate Past Chairman), Joel Gaeddert (Vice Chairman), Jennifer Vogts (Secretary), Todd Kasitz (Treasurer), Rod Kreie (Finance Committee Chairman), NM Patton, James Regier, Brad Bartel, Marge Warta, Linda Ogden, Dr. Colin Bailey, Linda Ewert, Amy Budde, Melvin Schadler, Delores Dalke, Jason High, Ron Lang, Jon Zerger, and Rachel Swartzendruber Miller. As a host the CKCF is the overarching governing board, however their affiliate foundations have local advisory boards that promote the local needs and interests of their mission and community.

Angie Tatro, Executive Director of CKCF said, “CKCF is dedicated to helping donors make a difference to causes that matter to them.”

Tatro went on to say that donors can be individuals, families or businesses.

“Donors are savvy these days, they have options for giving and we are delighted so many see the value in giving to and through the foundation to causes that are important to them.” she also shared. “Whether in life or as a bequest we are committed to managing the intent of our donors for the betterment of our Central Kansas Region.”

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Brenda Sooter, CKCF Program Officer – Grants, sees firsthand the impact grants can have in meeting local needs.

“The rural communities served by CKCF and the affiliates are seeing the impact from grants made back into the community,” commented Sooter. “They are helping feed the hungry, educate our youth, offer recreation for health improvements, socialize our elders and so much more.”

For example, in 2017, Community Playschool, North Newton was funded for a “Healthy Eating: Fresh Whole Foods” project. With the funding Community Playschool could serve their children a variety of healthy fresh foods for their daily snack.

“Children love the fruit and vegetable snacks we serve, sometimes we have a hard time keeping enough around, the children choose fruit instead of crackers during snack time,” stated Director Jeanette Leary.

A grant was given to Main Street Ministries in Hillsboro to fund their “Food Bank” project. Director Mary Steketee was assisting a young woman and her baby who were new to the Hillsboro community, hoping to help her meet her food needs. As Mary assisted her, the young mother was thanking the staff for being willing to help when no one else could.

Stekette shared, “We get compliments all the time for great service, quality foods, and being so welcoming and non-judgmental.”

Another notable example of community impact can be found in the City of Peabody. Prior to 2017 funding, the Peabody swimming pool only had a picnic table for seating.  With the grant, 14 Adirondack chairs and nine chaise lounges were purchased, allowing a more comfortable and better place for children and families to relax.

Stories like these and so many more are what the foundation work is all about. Growing now to more than $22M in assets the Central Kansas Community Foundation has a mark in working with donors and charities on its future.

“Our growth can be viewed as a beam of light, casting a view for a bright future for generations to come,” said Tatro.

Community affiliates, currently hosted by CKCF with back office support and infrastructure as a nationally accredited community foundation, include; Augusta Community Foundation, Central Kansas Community Foundation -Butler,  Douglass Community Foundation, El Dorado Community Foundation, Elk County Community Foundation,  Florence Community Foundation, Fredonia Community Foundation,  Goessel Community Foundation, Halstead Community Foundation,  Hesston Community Foundation, Hillsboro Community Foundation,  Newton Community Foundation, North Newton Community Foundation, Peabody Community Foundation, Remington Area Community Foundation, and Valley Center Community Foundation.  CKCF is also host to non-community affiliate foundations: Franklin D. & Beverly J. Gaines Foundation, Second Century Library Foundation – Newton, Trinity Heights United Methodist Church Foundation, Walton Rural Life Center Charter School Foundation and the Women’s Community Foundation.

If you want to get involved or inquire about ways to give or receive, contact CKCF at 316-283-5474.

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

As the tax filing season moves into high gear, tax scammers continue to develop new strategies.

In IR-2018-27, the Service explained the latest tax scam. Because it is difficult for IRS software to discover scams using actual taxpayer data, the tax scammers have developed a new concept.

The tax scammer starts by acquiring your normal tax return information — your name, Social Security Number, typical deductions, filing status and bank account numbers. In some cases, the tax scammer steals this information by hacking into your tax preparer’s computer network.

After stealing your information, the scammer files the return and claims a large refund. That refund is sent directly to your bank account.

To have a successful scam, the thief must then implement a creative plan to persuade you to send the refund to him or her. There are two basic ways the scammer will try to convince you to send him or her your refund.

First, the scammer contacts you and claims to be an IRS representative tasked to recover erroneous refunds. He or she demands that you send the money to his or her “refund recovery” account.

A second strategy is to use an automated phone call to threaten you with immediate arrest for criminal fraud because you received an improper refund. If you call the scammer’s number, he or she directs you to deposit the improper refund amount in a “recovery” account.

The IRS has specific procedures to follow if you receive a phony refund. You can contact your bank Automated Clearing House (ACH) and have the amount returned to the IRS.

If you have an amount returned to the IRS, you should call the Service at 800-829-1040 (Individual Returns) or 800-829-4933 (Business Returns). In your call, you will need to explain why the refund amount is being returned.

Published February 16, 2018

The Hub, Inc. received a grant from the Peabody Community Foundation in the amount of $750. The organization will use the money to update and replace their computers. The Hub serves the youth in Peabody, providing a safe place for area kids to hang out when school is not in session.

http://www.thekansan.com/news/20180213/the-hub-gets-foundation-grant

El Dorado Community Foundation is in the news for awarding their Prairie Port grant. Check out their article in the Butler County Times Gazette below!

BC Times Gazette Article

Front Row LtoR: Tammy Jackson, Marilyn Loganbill, Arlene Garrison, Judy Rittgers, Darla Wilken

Back Row LtoR: Valerie Garver, Natise Vogt, Jennifer Miles, Connie Rickard, Executive Director Respite Care;, Angie Tatro, Executive Director CKCF; Harlan Rittgers, Marge Warta, CKCF Board, Ron Lang, CKCF Board. 

Trinity Heights Respite Care accepted a grant check from Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) during a board meeting October 17, 2017.

Trinity Heights Respite Care’s mission is to provide respite care to families in Harvey and Marion Counties who have special needs children, age birth through 16 years. Trinity Heights Respite Care is a ministry of Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.

The CKCF board had the opportunity to award designated grants from the Kansas Health Foundation – Newton Fund this Fall and awarded three special grants. Trinity Heights Respite Care was among them. “Over the years, CKCF has taken notice of the exceptional work Trinity Heights Respite Care is doing to care for the families and caregivers who have a loved one with special needs,” said Angie Tatro, Executive Director of the Foundation.

Trinity Heights Respite Care is a unique service that focuses on families of children with special needs.  Our service provides periods of relaxation to families to help them rejuvenate, attend to other responsibilities of daily living, and basically give a gift of time to the family.  “Respite care is a temporary rest from the daily challenge of caring for a family member who has special needs, a gift of time,” said Connie Rickard, Director of Trinity Heights Respite Care.

Regularly scheduled respite care allows the child with special needs opportunities to develop ongoing relationships and trust outside the family unit.  Additionally, respite care services, supporting the needs of these select families increases community awareness and acceptance of persons with special needs.  Overall these services are a life saver to families.  When parents/caretakers become stress, this effects the whole family, work, and their health. Richard went on to say, “Our service does more than just provide a short period of care.”

The program requires families pay part of the cost of care, based on a sliding scale. Grants like this one help off-set costs for the families utilizing services. Without the sliding scale, many families could not afford this valuable service.

The Newton community is rich with resources like Respite Care. If you need more information about local charities, please contact CKCF and ask for Brenda Sooter, Program Officer – Grants, at 316-283-5472.

The Sunset Elementary & Northridge Elementary Physical Education Department has received a $2300.00 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation-Newton Fund, funded through the Central Kansas Community Foundation. The funds will be used for individual heart rate monitors for students to use in physical education.

The PE department had previously hosted two events and received grants to assist in their efforts to raise the funds needed to purchase the monitors. With the  $7242.85 raised, roughly 250 students will benefit from the use of the heart rate monitors each year, while learning the importance of maintaining a health active lifestyle.

The heart rate monitor is a web based tracking and measurement system that uses a heart rate monitor that students will wear during PE class to help them better understand their own health. The student’s daily effort will be recorded, stored over time, and used to analyze the effectiveness of the activities. The data can also be delivered to both teacher and student as soon as class ends. The software provided will allow the teacher to track and correlate physical activity to academic performance and classroom behavior, develop student portfolios from K-12, document Fitnessgram results and attendance, and email daily heart rate activity directly to students and parent’s smart phones. With the purchase of the heart rate monitors, the district will own twenty-eight individual wrist heart rate monitors, a charging station, a classroom reader (transfer data device), and a three-year software license.

Jen Vogts, a committee member of the Central Kansas Community Foundation said it best. “We are excited to see your vision become a reality to incorporate heart rate monitors and the tracking software in PE classes!” This is truly a vision that our schools and community have rallied together to make this a reality for our students. With countless hours of planning, reaching out to the community, and writing on the part of PE staff, district students will now have to opportunity to start monitoring their heart rate throughout each physical education class.

 

Newton Schools PE Teacher, Mario Nava receives a check from Angie Tatro with the Central Kansas Community Foundation that will be used to purchase heart rate monitors for PE students in the district. 

On Saturday, September 16, 2017, the Fredonia Area Community Foundation held their annual “Appreciation and Awards Dinner” at Fredonia Junior / Senior High School.  The members of the advisory board of the Community Foundation recognized community members for their contributions to Fredonia and announced the 2017 grant winners.  The aim of the grant cycle is to support charitable organizations with projects or programs that directly impact communities across the Fredonia area.

The Fredonia Area Community Foundation was able to grant $35,000 during this competitive grant cycle!  This year’s recipients included the following:

Recipient and project

• Fredonia Child Care Center – Relocation of the child care center
• Fredonia Adopt A Family – Adopt a Family 2018
• Shoes For Kids – Fredonia Shoes for Kids
• Fredonia Regional Hospital – Ambulance Fund
• Fredonia Public Library – Protect the Books Project
• USD #484 School Health – Vital Sign machine
• USD #484 – Composting Program
• USD #484 – Greenhouse Program
• Wilson County Health Department – Stroll and Read Family Night

Additionally, the Fredonia Seasonal Light Fund, the “I Am Fredonia campaign”, and an upcoming collaborative grant program with USD #484 were discussed as ways for community members to make tax-deductible gifts to benefit the community.

This is the third year that the Community Foundation has held a formal grant cycle and hopes to continue to give back to the community each year with the support of the Fredonia community.  Since its establishment in April 2012 as an affiliate of the Central Kansas Community Foundation, the Fredonia Area Community Foundation has distributed over $110,000 in local charitable grants.  Funding for these grants comes from donations, the Community Foundation’s annual Shamrockfest fundraising event held each year in March, and earnings and income from the Fredonia Area Community Impact Fund Endowment and Kansas Health Foundation Grow II Grant – Fredonia.  If you would like to contribute to the Impact Fund, you may send your tax deductible donation to P.O. Box 97, Fredonia, Kansas 66737.  You may also contact us at FACF@twinmounds.com.  You can find more information at https://centralkansascf.org/affiliate-foundations/fredonia-area-community-foundation/ .

Read the Article on the Harvey County Independent 

Posted 8/17/2017

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.