CFSEK awards $170,000 to SEK nonprofits

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is excited to announce General Funds grants totaling $170,000 have been awarded to 65 nonprofit organizations across 17 counties in Southeast Kansas.

The areas of Basic Human Needs, Youth Activities, and Arts & Culture are the focus of the CFSEK General Funds competitive grant process. Proposals for projects in these focus areas were accepted during the month of June. Submissions were reviewed, and selections for funding were completed late last month.

“We are continually inspired by the commitment of our nonprofit partners in Southeast Kansas, and we take pride in supporting their impactful work,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “These organizations deliver a diverse range of programs, services, and activities that significantly enhance our community. We know these grants will truly benefit Southeast Kansas as a whole.”

Since 2004, competitive granting from funds directly managed by CFSEK have provided over $1.8 million to organizations throughout Southeast Kansas. Competitive granting differs from other granting provided by CFSEK, such as donor-advised grants, designated grants, field of interest grants, and others. Since its inception in 2001, CFSEK has provided over $22 million in total grant funding throughout Southeast Kansas. The following organizations and projects were awarded funds from the 2024 General Funds grant process:

Arts & Culture – $5,200

  • Big Brutus, Inc. – Brutus Fest 2025
  • Family Resource Center, Inc. – Children’s Art Gala
  • Howard City Library – Culture Experience
  • Josiah Fletcher Foundation – Scholarships for Jazz Camp
  • Spring River Mental Health and Wellness – Pathfinders
  • USD 404 Riverton – Elementary Cafeteria

Basic Human Needs – $71,800

  • Care Cupboard Hygiene Pantry – This Is How We Roll
  • Catholic Charities, Inc. – Housing and Homeless Services
  • Catholic Diocese of Wichita – The Lord’s Diner-Pittsburg – Weekend Nutrition Matters
  • CLASS LTD – AED Access for Individuals with IDD
  • Coffey Health System – Commitment to Excellence, Baby Approved
  • Community Food Pantry Fund – Milk Money
  • Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas – Southeast Kansas Diaper Stock
  • Cornerstones of Care – Stopping the Spiral
  • Crosstimbers Food Pantry Association – Feeding the Need
  • DBLO Association – Beds for Children in Need
  • Dream Center of the 4 States – Help and Hope
  • Families and Children Together, Inc. – Starting with the Basics
  • First Baptist Church Riverton – Share with Love Food Pantry
  • First United Methodist Church Wesley House – Food for Families
  • Fort Scott Community College – Greyhound Pantry Upgrade
  • Fort Scott Compassionate Ministries – Family Empowerment and Stability
  • Happy Kids Daycare & Preschool, Inc. – Safety First
  • Homer Cole Community Center Inc – Ensuring Guest Safety and Keepin’ Up Appearances
  • Howard City Library – Drinking Water Availability
  • Safehouse Crisis Center, Inc. – Welcome Home
  • Humanity House Foundation – Feeding Allen County 2024
  • Integrated Behavioral Technologies, Inc. – Individual ABA Start-up Kits for Children in Autism Program
  • Labette County Emergency Assistance Center – Emergency Funds for Labette County Families
  • McCune Lions Club – Restroom Addition to Pavilion
  • Mosaic – Ensuring Safety, Security and Well Being
  • Sacred Heart Parish – Enhancing Client Access to Quality Frozen Meat
  • SEK-CAP – Safe Homes
  • Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging – TC Fund All Counties
  • Southwind Extension Education Foundation Inc – Kitchen Restore
  • The Beacon Inc. – Maintaining Food Assistance
  • The Salvation Army – Pittsburg Home Goods Pantry and Personal Hygiene Items

Youth Activities – $93,000

  • Altamont Public Library – Youth Activity Area
  • Caney Valley Agape Network, Inc. – Grandfamilies and Youth Support
  • Chanute Public Library – Literacy4Littles
  • Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. – Garden Improvements
  • City of Galena – City Park Splashpad Shade
  • City of Girard – Diving into Summer with New Diving Boards
  • City of Mulberry – Mulberry Ball Park Improvements
  • Columbus Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • Columbus USD 493- Park Elementary – Sensory/Focus Room
  • Crawford County Fair Association – Show Arena and Livestock Barn Paint Upgrade
  • Curious Minds Discovery Zone, Inc. – Backyard Exhibit Landscaping
  • Eden Early Learning Academy – Sensory Play in Safe Spaces
  • Families and Children Together Inc. – Here Comes the Sun
  • First United Methodist Church Wesley House – The Cozy Kids, Coats for Kids Program
  • Fort Scott Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • Fostering Connections – Sleep in Safety Program
  • Friends of Crawford State Park via Kansas Wildscape Foundation – Outdoor Education at the Lake
  • Girard Area Community Foundation – Youth Activities Granting
  • Girard FFA Chapter – Sand Blasting
  • Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland – Tables for Girl Scout Outdoor Activities
  • Howard City Library – Reading Incentive Program
  • Learning Tree Institute at Greenbush – Aligning the Stars
  • Miners Hall Museum Foundation – MHM/Franklin Community Park Continued Improvements
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Parish/St. Mary’s Colgan Catholic Schools – Resurfacing the Track
  • Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America – Hooked On Scouting Recruitment Campaign
  • Southeast Kansas Baptist Association – A Threefold Cord-Faith, Friendship and Fun
  • Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center – It’s More Than A Snack
  • Special Olympics Kansas – Sports Equipment
  • St. Patrick Catholic School – Students Learning Through Technology
  • TFI Family Services – Helping SE Kansas Teens in Care Become Adults
  • The Foster Closet, Inc. – Family Enrichment Events
  • University of Kansas Medical Center Area Health Education Center – Journeys & Destinations – Girard, KS
  • Victory Life Church – Back2School Event 24

Congratulations!

The CFSEK Board of Trustees and staff congratulate all the 2024 grant recipients! For additional information related to CFSEK’s competitive granting opportunities, keep exploring our website or call 620-231-8897.