The Women of Purpose Fund was established in 2008 by southwest Kansas area women who made donations to build a permanently endowed fund with a current value of over $260,000 to support local programs focused on issues affecting women. Their vision, commitment and passion have supported annual grants to enable women succeed in our communities.

The vision of this fund is: Empowering southwest Kansas women to take an active and powerful role in philanthropy to serve other women. The Women of Purpose fund allow dedicated, engaged community members to make a difference in the lives of many without a significant time or financial commitment. Please ask our staff to see how you can join hands with women in our area.

Women of Purpose Membership

Each year the Western Kansas Community Foundation invites local donors, 20 years and older, to contribute $100 to the Women of Purpose Fund to activate their voting membership that year. For those under 20 years old wishing to be members, there's a Young Women of Purpose membership level with a membership contribution of $50 annually. A Kickoff Event is held each year to signal the annual membership campaign is underway. The voting membership closes on December 31 of each year so that a grant amount can be established for the Request for Proposal the following spring. One half of the membership donation provides funding for the grant to be awarded while the other half is invested to continue to grow the fund forever. Additionally, you have the opportunity to be recognized as a Women of Purpose Founding member with a once-per-lifetime gift of $1,000 which is entirely invested to help the fund grow.

Pay Membership Dues Today!

Leadership

Executive Committee

Leadership for the Women of Purpose Fund is provided by an active Executive Committee. The Committee meets on a monthly basis starting in August through May of each grant year. The Committee members agree to serve for three (3) years and truly exemplify a working board.

The current Executive Committee members:

• Maxine Atkinson
• Jane Crist
• Darla Daniels
• Brenda Drees
• Alicia Harp
• Sandy Hawley
• Barbara Kreutzer - 2023 Chair
• Sheri Nelson
• Kathleen Whitley

Grant Awards

2010 Women in the Workplace

Awardee: GCCC Business & Industry Become a Career Women $2,600

The purpose was to engage women to acquire skills and learn concepts that will lead them to find gainful employment or to upgrade their position in the workplace.

Eight women completed the course on Dec. 4, 2010, earning a Career Skills II Certificate through 20 hours of classroom work that included a combination of lecture, hands-on exercises, role playing and informative videos. The course objectives enabled women to gain customer service skills, communicate more effectively, learn about employer expectations and workplace effectiveness, and leave with a resume and interview skills. Inspiring instructors provided participants with activities to stimulate self-worth and self-confidence by assisting them with resume preparation and interview skills, plus learning how to wear power colors and dress professionally on a budget.

The women participated in career tours with many different types of businesses that represented opportunities for women in business. A graduation luncheon was held where their GCCC Career Skills II certificate, each graduate was presented along with a thank you bag included a manicure and pedicure from the GCCC Cosmetology center. The group had bonded during the weeks of classes, and they exchanged well wishes and hugs before departing.

Jean Warta, Director of Business & Industry at Garden City Community College Business & Industry Institute thanked the Western Kansas Community Foundation for being selected as the first program recipient of the Women of Purpose Fund grant and for the opportunity to provide this training to these unique and special women.

2011 Healthy Women, Healthy Communities (Cancer focus)

Awardee: The Shift Center WHEE Program $3,000

Women’s Health Energizing Empowerment

The purpose of the WHEE Series was to provide women with cancer, services that empower a sense of well-being within themselves; to create a safe place to explore feelings of hope, healing and expression; to provide education and tools to help cope with side effects and survivorship; and to renew cooperation between the medical community and complementary professionals, supporting an integrated model of care. The WHEE Series is a program designed to introduce and make available to women of SW Kansas complementary therapies that may be utilized during the treatment for cancer. The Shift Center was awarded a matching grant enabling them to offer the services at little or no charge.

Kriz Hughes, R.N. explained that all therapies offered augment traditional medical treatments and the latest standards of medical care. We are thrilled to offer these services here in southwest Kansas which up to now have only been found in larger metropolitan hospitals and cancer treatment facilities across the nation.

2012 Healthy Women, Healthy Communities (Diabetes focus)

Awardee: Garden City Family YMCA - $3,500

Diabetes affects many local women.  Garden City Family YMCA created a program designed to assist women in the fight against Diabetes by educating them on how to live a healthy lifestyle by implementing an exercise and diet regimen that can be easily maintained.  The series of educational opportunities and one-on-one exercise training was designed to provide the tools for lifetime changes in behavior to promote long-term health.

Women of Purpose was pleased to provide funding for this important community service for women to build and enhance skills in making better food choices for themselves as well as to develop positive habits around exercise. 

2013 Healthy Women, Healthy Communities (Heart Disease focus)

Awardee: Garden City Recreation Commission (WOW program) - $5,000

Heart Disease is one of the greatest risks to women's health.  Garden City Recreation Commission created a program entitled Women of Wellness (WOW) that targets cardiovascular health.  Women participating in the Women of Wellness program met for bi-weekly fitness sessions with exercises specifically geared to help women with heart issues. 

This third year of health focused grants will help many area women dealing with heart concerns that keep them from exercising.  The program will build education and skills necessary in dealing with heart disease and leading an active and healthy lifestyle. 

2014 Women Wise, Money and Finances

Awardee: Family Crisis Services collaborating with Seeds of Hope Jail Ministry - $6,000

This is the first in a three year series of grants under the "Women Wise, Money and Finances" focus.  Family Crisis Services in collaboration with Seeds of Hope Jail Ministry will use granted funds to offer classes on personal finance to women in both English and Spanish.  These trainings will be held throughout 2014 and seek to build skills and competency for women who have experienced domestic violence, been incarcerated and/or denied opportunities to manage their own personal finance.  Trainings will assist women in developing knowledge in managing money, the importance of savings and planning for future expenses to build independance. 

2015 Women Wise, Money and Finances

Awardee: Kansas Children's Service League - $5,000

KCSL in collaboration with Kansas Head Start Association will use granted funds to provide Financial Literacy training for families in their program. The financial literacy project would be offered in two 8-week sessions utilizing the FDIC ‘Money Smart’ curriculum paired with a savings incentive and key support services.  Training on key budgeting, savings, and financial management strategies would be emphasized along with the opportunity to develop positive relationships with bank staff to help reduce barriers in accessing mainstream banking services for low-income families.

2016 Women Wise, Money and Finances

Awardee: Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas - $4,000

Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas would work with five, low-income women from Finney County who are interested in establishing financial stability.  Case managers will assist the women with an individualized case plan, personalized family budget, financial literacy education, establishing a bank account, weekly case management, and providing appropriate information and referrals to community organizations over a 12-month period. The expected outcome of this program is for the women to have built up an emergency savings of at least $600 and have the tools and skills to manage and maintain it.

2017 Women's Greatest Wealth is Health!

Awardee: City on a Hill - $4,000

City on a Hill's inpatient treatment facility specifically services women and they discovered that many women receiving treatment for substance abuse have previously been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which often accounts for a relapse and return to substance abuse. City on a Hill is seeking funding to provide treatment for those clients that will effectively address both the substance abuse and PTSD.

2018 Thriving Women, Thriving Communities!

Awardees: Great Plains MakerSpace - $5,000; ABC Pregnancy Care Center - $2,000; Stevens County Health Department - $2,000

Great Plains Maker Space hosted monthly Girls in Engineering And Robotics workshops during the school year and bi-weekly workshops. GEAR also worked with other organizations like USD #457 and the Finney County Public Library to make sure all girls in the community have an opportunity to explore robotics and engineering.

ABC Pregnancy Care Center purchased items for their boutique, including cribs, crib mattresses, play yards, and highchairs. Clients of ABC have the opportunity to earn "Baby Bucks" when they participate in classes provided by the center. In turn, those "Baby Bucks" can be used to "purchase" items from the boutique for their infants or toddlers. Due to safety concerns, some items must be in new condition for the Center to give them out.

Stevens County Health Department provided a women's health fair in Hugoton. SCHD will collaborate with local hospitals to provide cervical cancer screenings as well as screenings of other diseases that can affect reproductive health, mammography screening information, will promote healthy meal choices, and the library will provide women's health information packets. The event would allow uninsured women the opportunity to access and receive valuable health information.

2019 Inspiring Female Potential Through Mentorship!

Awardees: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fi. & Ke. Counties - $5,000; Girl Scouts of KS Heartland - $1,500; Russell Child Development Center - $1,500

Big Brothers Big Sisters began an after-school program called Young Women of Purpose. In that program, young women from under-served and at-risk populations are mentored to develop skills and assets that will lead them to success. This is done through educational programs and practical application of the programs, as well as participation in various hands on activities.

Girl Scouts of KS Heartland provided scholarships to underserved girls from Southwest Kansas to attend various camps hosted by Girl Scouts, as well as covering some expenses for the Messy Day camp.

Russell Child Development Center encouraged female entrepreneurship through high quality professional development and coaching support to those interested in operating childcare businesses. Topics covered included basic licensing information, advantages of being your own boss, and local and regional resource information.

2020 Inspiring Female Potential Through Mentorship, part 2!

Awardees: Family Crisis Services - $5,000; Finney County Committee on Aging - $2,000

Family Crisis Service utilized funding for direct client assistance. Direct client assistance provided for clients comes in the forms of medicine, clothing, transportation, legal documents, and assistance with utilities and housing in emergency cases. Many clients that are served are often put in financial predicaments due to their abusive partners. Often clients need this minimal assistance to avoid financial peril. 

Finney County Committee on Aging's program brings a two-way mentoring opportunity to our community.  Senior participants (age 55+) bring their years of knowledge and experience balancing family, community and careers. Non-senior participants (age 16-25 projected) bring to their senior-age counterparts experience, knowledge and practice in using the technology of today to communicate with family, community and volunteer opportunities. This is done through facilitated sharing in both individual and group sessions. There is an education and employment focus with this project. Funding allowed for updating of technology to facilitate the new program.

2021 Empowered Women Empower Women!

Awardees: Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center - $5,000; Family Crisis Services - $2,000; Miles of Smiles - $1,000

Family Crisis Service utilized funding for direct client assistance. Direct client assistance provided for clients comes in the forms of: medicine, clothing, transportation, legal documents, and assistance with utilities and housing in emergency cases. Many clients that are served are often put in financial predicaments due to their abusive partners. Often clients need this minimal assistance to avoid financial peril. 

Western Kansas Child Advocacy Center utilized the Women of Purpose grant to provide direct services to young women in our communities who may have been sexually, physically, or emotionally abused. Following a forensic interview, every child and teen served received a backpack, blanket, and pillow. The backpacks were filled with school supplies, hygiene products, clothing, fidget toys, mind games, body safety education, books, sporting balls, water bottles, and much more until it is stuffed full.  Not all families are able to provide some of the basic needs that are supported through the items in the backpacks. The backpacks provided those necessities with some extra support to recipients with the transitions they experienced. All the items in the bags helped promote mental, emotional, and physical health, along with educational tools for at-risk teen girls. Women of Purpose grant funding allow for the purchase and distribution of roughly 67 bags.

Miles of Smiles Therapeutic Horsemanship joined forces with Family Crisis Services to launch a program specific to the needs of FCS clients and the trauma's they had experienced through abuse. The two organizations created a 6-week program where women were brought in and worked closely and directly with their Family Crisis Advocate, a Miles of Smiles Instructor, a 3rd-party counselor, and one of Miles of Smiles' therapy horses. Women of Purpose grant funds were utilized for scholarship funds so there were no out-of-pocket expenses for the clients. The funds supported a 6-week scholarship for 6 clients.

2022 Girls with Dreams and Women with Visions

Awardees: ABC Pregnancy Care Center - $5,000; Magic's HOPE - $3,000

ABC Pregnancy Care Center utilized Women of Purpose grant funds to partner with One-by-One ministries (OBO). The partnership offered pregnant women a trained mentor who would walk with them through their pregnancies and the first year of their child's life. One-by-One works with pregnancy resource centers like ABC to provide mentorship for clients. By partnering with OBO, ABC was able to offer pregnant clients the option to be matched with a trained mentor who meet with them for at least an hour monthly and communicated with them weekly for up to 18 months depending on when during the pregnancy the client joined the program. Through the course of the program a female mentor guides a mother through important topics related to pregnancy, parenting and child development. Beyond education, this program provided expectant mothers with a supportive relationship with a trained, caring woman. 

Magic’s H.O.P.E. provided a day camp experience to members of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Kansas. The day camp gave young ladies the opportunity to work hands on with the animal partners and certified instructors. The camps are a tool for empowering young women! Each camper worked toward earning a special 'horse' Girl Scout merit badge. Girls with little or no 'horsemanship' ability were given the opportunity to build self-confidence, self-esteem and self-empowerment through equine and animal assisted activities. In the safe, non-judgmental environment, the girls sought reflection, peace of mind, and how to build new and stronger relationships within their daily lives. The Women of Purpose grant would fund scholarships for 6 Southwest Kansas Girl Scouts to attend the program. The scholarships covered the cost of course materials including horse & riding equipment usage, lesson/camp supplies, bottled water, and a self-care package.

2023 Inspiring Female Potential Through Mentorship, part 2!

Awardees: Kearny County Senior Center - $5,000; Magic's HOPE - $1,000; Silver Sage Renaissance Festival - $1,000

Kearny County Senior Center began an all-female exercise class, Groovin' Grannies, using stable mini trampolines to be used indoors. This was a brand-new class established with the center and it has the possibility of becoming an intergenerational program with females of all ages. Grant funds were used to purchase mini trampolines as well as other exercise equipment including simple hand wights, wrist weights, and ankle weights. 

Magic’s HOPE used the grant funds for the 2nd Annual 'Horse Power for Young Women’ Day Camp Experience. The day camp experience expanded on the 2022 program by not only providing the opportunity to young ladies from girl scouts, but also to female 4-Hers from SW Kansas. The camp allowed participants to work hands-on with Magic’s HOPE animal partners and certified instructors. The camp was formed as a tool for empowering young women with the tools they need to build relationships and become leaders in their futures. The participants walked away with more self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-empowerment because of the equine assisted activities. Women of Purpose grant funds provided scholarships for Southwest Kansas Girl Scouts and female 4-Hers to attend the program. 

Silver Sage Renaissance Festival used grant funds to support a number of young lady entrepreneurs, between the ages of 12 to 17 as vendors at the festival. Silver Sage supported the inexperienced or first-time vendors to empower their goals of being business owners in an environment where they were able to learn from other small business owners and like-minded leaders. The Silver Sage Renaissance Festival is designed to be easy to access, economical, family friendly and wholistically inclusive to the community and outlying neighbors. With the help of the Women of Purpose grant, Silver Sage Ren Fest offered new or emerging lady entrepreneurs a festival supply stipend as they worked to establish their business ventures.