AUGUSTA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION:

Augusta Community Foundation was reactivated in May bringing the total number of CKCF affiliates to 19. The board is pleased to have facilitated a gift for the completion of The Castle Park project and look forward to collaborating with other local entities such as the Augusta Progress, Inc., and GoAugusta. Board members are David Chappel, Zack Dinicota, Eric Grooms, Nickolas Jones, Doug Law, Shane Scott, Joe Terick (chair), Kevin Unrein (ex officio) and Buddy Willis.

What a successful scholarship season! CKCF and affiliates together granted $111,150 to 100 students from 58 competitive scholarship funds in the 2024 scholarship cycle. El Dorado Community Foundation had the largest amount of scholarships awarded at $28,200, and Halstead Community Foundation came in close behind, granting $21,900 and they also had the most open competitive scholarships this 2024 cycle and 16 scholarship recipients.

With the rising costs of education and other living expenses, scholarships are a vital component in educating the youth in our communities. It is not too late to speak with us about taking the first steps in establishing your own scholarship or adding your donation to an existing fund.

Did you know that scholarships & educational funds make up nearly 23% of funds held by CKCF? Your generosity makes a world of difference as you will see in the note below.

“My name is Quinn Houseman, I am a graduate of El Dorado High School, and I plan to major in Mechanical Engineering at Wichita State University in the fall. I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude upon being selected as a recipient of the George Trimble Special Need Fund for the Fall 2024 semester. Your generous support is not only seen as a financial aid, but as inspiration and encouragement to further my studies. This scholarship has significantly eased

my financial burden and has allowed me to explore the capabilities of my education. Thank you once again for your generosity and investment in my future. I am truly honored.”

Thank you!

Central Kansas Community Foundation held its second annual Spring Soirée on Thursday, June 13th, at the Wild Prairie Event Center in Newton, KS. The purpose of the evening and benefit auction was to raise dollars for CKCF’s operating fund and toward its mission of “Building Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving.” The evening included dinner, dessert, cash bar, a benefit auction both silent & live, and recognition of area volunteers and philanthropists of the year.

View photos of the event and our list of those we honored as Volunteers & Philanthropists of the year on our website at centralkansascf.org/soiree.

PFF MATCH SUCCESSES TO DATE

CKCF and ten of its affiliates have been awarded the opportunity to raise up to $70,000 each in matching fund grants through the Patterson Family Foundation (PFF) during 2024. To date, three of the affiliates have hosted their match events and have exceeded their $70,000 goal!

1. Fredonia Area Community Foundation (FACF) was the first affiliate to exceed their match goal by hosting a Dinnerless Dinner to benefit the Fredonia Youth Philanthropy Fund in February, then in March, they hosted another successful Shamrock Fest! These two events raised $70,587! The success meeting the PFF match for two consecutive years, shines through their dedication of giving back to their community. The FACF grant cycle just opened and they will be awarding $40,000 in grants back into their community!

2. Goessel Community Foundation (GCF) exceeded their match event by hosting an Appreciation Dinner and letter writing campaign April 20 – May 20, raising $84,505! A big success story for GCF was having two former Goessel High School graduates create a new scholarship/endowed field of interest fund for the community!

3. Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF) had an every door direct mail and letter writing campaign May 10 – June 10. They presented at alumni banquets and numerous community and civic organizations throughout the duration of the campaign. Thanks to their generous donors, ECCF exceeded their match goal and raised $132,102! A big success for ECCF was having a new scholarship fund created during the match event and getting their Elk County Scholarship Fund built up enough to begin awarding funds next year. The ECCF grant opens next week, and they will be awarding $167,102 in grants back into their community!