News

From the Desk of the Executive Director - March 2019

February 27, 2019

Last fall the Western Kansas Community Foundation received a $25,000 capacity building grant from the Kansas Health Foundation to guide the board in a year-long strategic planning effort. The funds will be used to pay for strategic planning services and implement the plan in WKCF’s 15-county service area through 2019. The program’s rationale is well explained by our board chair elsewhere in this newsletter. In addition, I’d like to explain a little bit more about the process that we will be following. Currently we’re in the middle of our first phase which is to create an informed context for...

Board Chair's Perspective - March 2019

February 27, 2019

By Kathleen Holt, Chair of the Board Western Kansas Community Foundation will be conducting strategic planning over the next few months. WKCF began in 1996 when a group of community leaders saw the potential of a regilan community foundation to enrich western Kansas life. Since that time, we've expanded to cover 15 counties, hold nearly $30m. in assets and house more than 200 funds. Imagine the planning in which previous boards engaged to bring such impressive assets to our rural communities. And, if one stops to think about the fact that these funds will exist and grow in perpetuity, he...

New Funds

February 26, 2019

Modest Adequate Housing Fund Permanent fund to benefit organizations providing support to individuals and families that seek to improve or obtain housing in the WKCF service area as directed by the board of directors. Mosaic in Garden City Endowed Fund Permanent fund to provide support to Mosaic in Garden City, KS. Shepherd of the Plains Foundation Endowed Fund Permanent fund to provide support to the Shepherd of the Plains Foundation in Cimarron, KS. Spirit of the Plains, CASA Endowed Fund Permanent fund to provide support to the Spirit of the Plains, CASA in Garden City, KS. If...

Upcoming Non-Profit Training

February 26, 2019

NON-PROFIT FINANCIAL FUNDAMENTALS: The Western Kansas Community Foundation, Finney County United Way, and Finnup Foundation are hosting a financial fundamentals workshop, specifically designed for nonprofit boards and staff, and facilitated by Varney & Associates, CPAs, LLC. In this workshop, attendees will be presented with information on "How to Strengthen Financial Management" in the following areas: Planning- This portion of the training will focus on topics such as (1) strengthening the budget development process and (2) planning for and addressing financial uncertainty by...

Check out the 2018 Annual Report

November 13, 2018

Check out the 2018 Annual Report. View annual report

Board Chair's Perspective - October 2018

October 19, 2018

By Kathy Diehl, Chair of the Board Match Day brings together the collective power of non-profits, business and community leaders, and many individuals who believe in making a difference in their communities. I want to thank our donors – local families and businesses, WKCF’s founding members, board members and alumni - for acknowledging the important work of our nonprofits and for giving generously toward the $50,000 match pool that we will provide on November 27th. Your support is a vital part of our success, not only with Match Day but also to the foundations ability to improve the quality...

Women of Purpose 2019 Membership Drive

October 19, 2018

The Women of Purpose recently opened the membership cycle for the 2019 grant award, which will close December 31st, 2018. The membership drive traditionally starts early October with a kick-off breakfast, a social event for members and those interested in becoming members, or learning more. Following the Breakfast, the women host a casual Wine and Cheese Soirée on November 8th from 6:30 - 8:00pm at the GCCC Endowment Room. Anyone interested in learning more about the Women of Purpose is invited to attend. Additionally, the Women of Purpose will be participating in Match Day on November...

From the Desk of the Executive Director - October 2018

October 19, 2018

We’re gearing up for our second, consecutive Match Day on November 27th in support of the endowed nonprofits under WKCF’s administration. This year our affiliate partners at the Wichita County Community Foundation are co-hosting a parallel community fundraiser in Leoti. We are excited to welcome several new participants this year, including some new funds that were established just in time to benefit from the Match Day-dollars and promotion. A preliminary list of organizations can be found elsewhere in this Newsletter. Stay tuned for more information through the news media outlets and our...

July 2018 Grants

October 19, 2018

13 local nonprofit organizations were awarded with grants totaling $27,716 from the Community Betterment Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, and various Field of Interest and Unrestricted funds for its July grant cycle. The Grants Committee reviewed 17 applications; 13 of which were awarded. The winning grants are as follows: 1. Dudley Township Library “Kevin Horner ‘One Friend Can Make a Difference” $1,000 to cover a portion of speaker costs for a follow-up anti-bullying presentation. 2. Families Together “CareING Notebook” $1,685 for supplies needed to provide health...

Non-Profit Workshop

July 31, 2018

Non-Profit Workshop On June 21, WKCF in partnership with the Finnup Foundation and the Finney County United Way offered a nonprofit capacity building workshop for local nonprofits. Forty-four people from thirty-five area organizations participated in the workshop facilitated by Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute. The topic of the workshop which was determined by a brief assessment of local nonprofit organizations – was fund development. Participants learned a variety of strategies for grant writing, fundraising and strategic planning that could be easily...