Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) is conducting the “Our Community, Our Future” survey initiative in Cimarron, Hugoton, Liberal, and Lakin in order to gain a deeper understanding of local priorities. The initiative signals a new strategy for the WKCF in its efforts to serve Southwest Kansas. The goal of the “Our Community, Our Future” survey is simple yet ambitious. It will help the Foundation understand how communities are thinking and feeling and provide a better picture of its' wants and needs. By the end of the day, WKCF hopes to not only have a better understanding of local needs, but also to build new partnerships to work on solutions together. The initiative offers a new and unique approach to community service outside of the traditional grantmaking processes of a community foundation. The survey empowers residents in directing resources to address what they view as local needs. 

The initiative has three phases - the first being a survey deployed in the four communities throughout Spring and early Summer, followed by a community forum and grant opportunity in the Fall, and concluding with a grant award at the end of the year. The "Our Community, Our Future" initiative will continue after 2024 for an additional two years in the same four communities. 

WKCF seeks to bring together people from various sectors, including nonprofits, businesses, healthcare, government, education, and the general public to discuss potential solutions during the community forums. Community forum and dialogue will occur on the following dates and times:

• Lakin: September 10th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Veterans Memorial Hall, 207 N. Main St., Lakin, Kansas
• Cimarron: September 11th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Gray County Over 50 Center, 221 S. Main St., Cimarron, Kansas
• Liberal: September 17th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Seward County Community College, Room SW229 C/D, 1801 N. Kansas Ave., Liberal, Kansas
• Hugoton: September 24th, 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Pheasant Heaven Charities Veterans Hall, 301 S. Monroe St., Hugoton, Kansas 

If you are interested in attending, please email bailey@wkcf.org to RSVP. 

"Our Community, Our Future" Survey Reports for 2024 can be viewed by clicking on the following:

• Lakin
• Cimarron
• Liberal
• Hugoton

Any questions or inquiries can be directed to bailey@wkcf.org or call our office at (620) 271-9484.