Foundation Receives $50,000 in funding from Harvey County Commission for COVID-19 Relief Efforts


Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) Receives $50,000 from Harvey County Commissioners

Harvey County, KS  –  Harvey County Commissioners voted Tuesday to give CKCF $50,000 in relief funding for the COVID-19 charitable relief effort in Harvey County communities.

As part of the appeal for funding, CKCF circulated the COVID-19 needs assessment to identify emerging needs in Harvey County communities. The link to the assessment remains active. Local 501 (c)(3) charities and other tax-exempt entities, including educational institutions and churches, responding to the effects of COVID-19 are encouraged to submit a response to this form.

“We hope that by identifying needs before they become emergent, we can communicate an approximate dollar amount and have funding in place when it is needed,” Said Susan Lamb, CKCF PPREP Grant Coordinator. “The commission funds will help us immediately address needs for food, diapers, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, wipes and operational expenses in light of cancelled fundraising events.”

In addition to the needs assessment, Harvey County foundation leaders will regularly be in contact with local response officials and charities to determine need.

Community Response Fund Open

In response to the pandemic, CKCF opened the Central Kansas Community Relief Fund. County funds will be placed in this fund, and the Relief Fund will be a resource for charities in Harvey County who are seeking to meet increased needs during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.

As needs emerge during this time, charitable organizations and other tax-exempt entities can apply for funding through a simplified grant application, available on the CKCF website, www.centralkansacf.org. A review committee in Harvey County will determine which entity will receive the funding.

Donors who wish to respond to community needs may visit www.centralkansascf.org to contribute to the fund. Donations may be designated to a particular community or charity.

“Along with our donors, our role is to make sure that service providers have everything they need to respond to people who are vulnerable during this pandemic,” said Angie Tatro, CKCF Executive Director. “Our ultimate goal is to help Harvey County communities respond, recover and build resiliency.”

Fluid Response Effort from CKCF

Even though CKCF has activated the Relief Fund as an initial response to the event to serve service region, the Foundation maintains flexibility in the local response and relief effort. Leadership continually evaluates the need to activate local relief funds at the affiliate community level.

“We are prepared to meet the needs of our individual affiliate communities,” said Tatro. “We will consider the relief effort management resources available in each of our communities before making the decision to activate local relief funds.”

CKCF Partners with Foundant Technologies


Central Kansas Community Foundation staff has been busy working with Foundant Technologies staff to transition accounting and fund management functions to their program, CSuite for Community Foundations.

CSuite is a comprehensive fund, accounting and donor management system. It will feature a new and improved way of accessing donor funds online and accepting donations through our website. Internally, the Foundation staff will have the enhanced ability to establish and manage events, interact with donors and charities and pay vendors, all for the sole purpose of better serving the groups and individuals that are so important for making what we do, possible.

We will be hosting five in-person and online tutorials for learning how to interact with the new system, beginning at the end of February. Please see the list of locations below. Donors, Fund Advisors (previously known as Fund Representative), Nonprofit Organizations that have funds with CKCF, Affiliate Board Members, & Staff are encouraged to attend!

  • March 3, 2020, 5:00 PM, El Dorado | El Dorado City Commission Meeting Room in the Administration Building at 220 E. 1st St. – Enter through the front door and turn right into the room.
  • March 5, 2020, 11:00 AM , Howard | Howard United Methodist Church, 815 E. Randolph St.
  • March 5, 2020, 4:00 PM, Peabody | Peabody Library Ann Potter Room, 216 N Walnut – Enter on the north side and go downstairs. It is accessible with an elevator from the north entrance.
  • March 10, 2020,7:30 AM, Newton | Hutchinson Community College, 203 E Broadway St.
  • March 10, 2020, 5:00 PM, Hesston | Hesston Public Library, 300 N Main St.

REGISTER TODAY FOR A SESSION!

KACF Membership Dues Due Feburary 15


The 2020 Membership Drive for the Kansas Association for Community Foundations is well under way. We want to remind you that your dues are due to the KACF by February 15, 2020.

KACF has mailed a MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL LETTER from your peer – KACF Chair Conny Bogaard at the Western Kansas Community Foundation to your Foundation leadership and has provided some information in a 2020 REPORT TO FOUNDATIONS.

Thank you for your Membership! We are stronger with our Association!

CKCF Announces 2019-2020 Regional Board of Directors

CKCF Annual Meeting October 28, 2019

2019-20 Slate of Officers and Members at Large

Officers

Immediate Past Chair, Carrie Herman (Halstead), Kansas Learning Center for Health

Chair, Joel Gaeddert (North Newton), Flint Hills Designs

Co-Vice Chair, Jennifer Vogts (North Newton), Wild Prairie Event Center

Co-Vice Chair, Amy Mitchell (Newton), Intrust Bank

Treasurer, Todd Kasitz (Newton), Newton Medical Center

Secretary, Brad Bartel (Hillsboro), Emprise Bank

Finance Chair, Jason High (Newton), Farm Bureau

Members At Large

James Regier (Whitewater), Remington School District

Tim Hodge (North Newton), Adrian and Pankratz

Amy Budde (Newton), Citizen’s Bank

NM Patton (Peabody), Peabody Community Foundation

Marge Warta (Newton), United Methodist Church

Ron Lang (Newton), Midland Bank

Linda Ogden (Marion), Retired

Jon Zerger (Newton), Excel Industries

Rachel Swartzendruber Miller (Hesston), Hesston College

Becky Wolfe (Andover), Andover Chamber of Commerce

Myron Schmidt (Goessel), Goessel Community Foundation

Anthony Roy (new) (Hillsboro), Hillsboro Community Foundation

Staff and Volunteers Attend KACF Conference


Foundation staff and board attended the 2019 KACF National Conference on Growing Community Foundations last week, Sunday-Tuesday in Wichita, Kansas. We learned how to improve our operations and keep the “Unity in Community”.

Pictured Back Row L-R
Anthony Roy, Hillsboro Community Foundaiton; Jacob Schmill, Peabody Community Foundation; Angie Tatro, CKCF; Carrie Herman, CKCF; Melinda Newell, CKCF; Susan Lamb, CKCF; Becky Nickel, Peabody Community Foundation & CKCF; Ashley Bridgeman, CKCF

Pictured Front Row L-R
Macey Mueller, Halstead Community Foundation; Virginia Martens, Hillsboro Community Foundation; Kristie Diller, CKCF; Michelle Critchfield, CKCF; Carol Reimer Duerksen, Goessel Community Foundation

Our Partners: Adrian & Pankratz Law Firm

Throughout the years, we have put down roots in the communities we serve and are honored to grow our communities alongside valued and trusted community partners. The following series features businesses and individuals who have stood by our side in serving our mission to build stronger communities through charitable giving. Thank you dearly for being partners in our charitable work – it wouldn’t be possible without your friendship and support.

This week, we honor Adrian & Pankratz, Attorneys at Law, their commitment to helping us serve our charitable mission in South Central Kansas.

Foundation Seeks New Board Members


The Central Kansas Community Foundation is seeking active and engaged board members to serve on the regional volunteer Board of Directors. We encourage you to reach out if you are interested! For more information, feel free to browse our website and check out the following resources for board members.

If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Angie Tatro, Executive Director at 316-283-5474 or angie@centralkansascf.org! She will gladly answer any questions your might have.

Board of Directors Job Description

Newton Community Foundation celebrates first birthday

The Newton Community Foundation recently celebrated their first birthday with a morning brunch celebration at one of the hottest locations in Newton – Prairie Harvest’s recently renovated Mezzanine. Congratulations on a wonderful first year – We look forward to the years to come and the difference NCF will make in the Newton community!

Check out their Facebook page for more details about the event!

CKCF Welcomes Michelle Critchfield as new Grants Officer

The Central Kansas Community Foundation recently welcomed Michelle Critchfield to the team.  She will serve the CKCF and its affiliates as the Program Officer ~ Grants.

Most recently, Michelle worked for Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, Inc. as a traveling chapter consultant.  In her two years in this role, Michelle traveled around the United States to support the operational needs of 18 individual Alpha Chi Omega chapters.

Michelle grew up in Hesston and is excited to be back in the area.  Outside of work, Michelle is pursuing a master’s degree in history and serves as a volunteer for Alpha Chi Omega.  She also enjoys spending time with friends and family, biking, and watching movies.

Michelle is looking forward to serving central Kansas communities in this role, through overseeing the grant processes for the CKCF and its affiliate partners.

Hillsboro CF Welcomes New Director


The Hillsboro Community Foundation, affiliate of CKCF, recently welcomed Virginia Martens to their team. She will serve as Director of the affiliate foundation.

Virginia previously worked for Tabor College for 41 years in the Business Office in various positions, starting as data entry clerk and finishing as Controller, a position she has had since 1995.

She is married to Jim, a retired welder, for 47 years, and they live in Hillsboro. They have two adult children and four grandchildren who have live in Central Kansas. In her spare time, she loves to read, works in the yard and garden, bowls in a weekly league, and spends time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She is looking forward to using her acquired knowledge and experience to assist the Hillsboro Community Foundation in its effort to receive and administer funds for the betterment of the Hillsboro community.