Invest Central Kansas

Invest Central Kansas – Impact Investing Program

Central Kansas Community Foundation seeks to build a sustainable local impact investing program, “Invest Central Kansas”, to nurture a thriving and inclusive regional economy and enhance the health and quality of life of residents in Central Kansas. The program will seek to engage residents in the work of equitable community investing and make ready investable assets for community opportunities.

Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) is founded on a mission of Building Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving. CKCF acts as a steward, protecting the charitable dollars and watching out for donor interests in their lifetime and after. CKCF ensures that the gifts left to the community is always used in the manner intended, and to the best possible effect.

The Foundation provides:

  • Personalized services, tools and resources that fit donor aspirations and community needs;
  • Solutions to make giving an easy, flexible and effective process;
  • Local expertise and in-depth understanding of community challenges and needs; and
  • Community leadership in meeting those challenges and needs.

The long-term goal of our community foundation is to build permanent funds supported by many donors for the betterment of our service area.

Invest Central Kansas seeks a measurable community impact from its local impact investments. Financial return is also anticipated but secondary to community impact. In recognition of the Foundation’s regional service area and robust affiliate model, Invest Central Kansas will prioritize investments that address regional needs and opportunities and seek collaboration with its Affiliates, community organizations and economic development organizations throughout the communities served by Central Kansas Community Foundation.

 

INVESTMENT FOCUSED

The Foundation will target investments that advance the health and quality of life for residents of Central Kansas and address: (a) amenities to keep and attract residents in/to the region; (b) business development and entrepreneurship; (c) family sustaining employment; (d) housing; (e) workforce supports, especially quality child and family care; and (e) other opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission. No project will be considered that does not directly align with CKCF’s charitable purposes as stated in its organizational documents.

The Foundation will give priority to investments that broadly and substantially improve the region. Investments that directly benefit an Affiliate community will be considered and will require a sponsor as outlined below. This regional approach will be evaluated after the initial 5-year pilot.
Investments should have objective measures that are appropriate for each proposed project. The Foundation will also collect qualitative stories of impact for inclusion in internal and external program reporting. The following table lists example measures aligning with the Foundation’s impact goals.

a) amenities to keep and attract residents in/to the region;
(b) business development and entrepreneurship;
(c) family sustaining employment;
(d) housing;
(e) workforce supports, especially quality child and family care; and
(f) other opportunities aligned with the Foundation’s mission.

 

INVEST CENTRAL KANSAS SUMMIT

The Invest Central Kansas Summit was hosted on March 3, 2022 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.