9 nonprofits in Southeast Kansas and 14 local students have been selected to receive support from the Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation (GBL) funds at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas. Through grants to nonprofits, GBL reimburses up to $500 for projects focused on youth volunteerism. GBL’s scholarships support local students whose schoolwork and extracurricular activities embody the values that Dylan pursued: adventure, fitness, curiosity, generosity, and a daily zest for life.
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GBL’s 2026 grants
GBL sponsors youth volunteerism activities through an annual competitive grant process. Grant applications are open during March. This year’s recipients and their projects are:
- City of Parsons Recreation Commission, Recreation/Poolside Landscaping Initiative
- DBLO Association, Stitching Comfort for Children in Need
- Fort Scott Community College, Fort Lincoln School House Spruce Up Project
- Fostering Connections, Foster Parent Retreat Event
- Miners Hall Museum Foundation, Franklin Community Park Playground Improvement
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States, 2nd Annual Pop Tab Palooza
- Safe Families for Children, Frozen Meals for Families in Crisis
- Southeast Kansas Recycling, Inc., Instilling Respect for the Earth We Share
- Special Olympics Kansas, Youth Volunteer Supplies
Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients, and thank you for everything you do to get kids active in our communities!
GBL’s 2026 scholarships
GBL scholarships are available for seniors graduating from Pittsburg, St. Mary’s Colgan, Frontenac, Girard, Northeast, or Southeast high schools who have demonstrated excellence in academics, school and community involvement, athletics, or the arts, and a general desire to develop good character and leadership.
This year’s recipients are:
- Abigail Albright, Frontenac High School
- Adessah Reed, Pittsburg High School
- Avery Hipfl, Frontenac High School
- Caleb Humble, Girard High School
- Carston Simmons, St. Mary’s Colgan
- Faith Kimzey, Pittsburg High School
- Hayden Turnbull, St. Mary’s Colgan
- Kadence Burns, Pittsburg High School
- Lauren Crawford, Pittsburg High School
- Madison Coester, Girard High School
- Maleia Sukraw, St. Mary’s Colgan
- Michael Smith, Southeast High School
- Parker Pinamonti, Pittsburg High School
- Seth Wilson, Girard High School
In addition, two students have been selected for athletic awards recognizing their leadership and dedication. Cole Hayden from PHS is the Purple Dragons Inspirational Player of the Year, and Ian Premer from Great Bend High School is the Kpreps/GBL Kansas Player of the Year. Both have demonstrated strong commitment to their schools and communities.
Congratulations, students! Good luck as you start college!
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) is proud to be a part of Dylan’s legacy by hosting the Dylan Meier Get Busy Livin’ Foundation and its grant and scholarship opportunities. Since GBL’s establishment in 2011, it has provided nearly $40,000 in grants and over $100,000 in scholarships. What a tremendous impact on Southeast Kansas communities!