June 2024 Newsletter

The importance of being involved

Lately, I have been busy with our Grantee Stories series here at the Foundation—it’s all about shining a light on not just the grants we give, but also the amazing work our grant recipients do! Recently, I had a chat with Tess Watson, president and founder of Dream Big Little One to discuss their work, and let me tell you, it was inspiring!

Tess really struck a chord with me when she said, “Monetary donations are great, but donating time and effort really make a big difference!” It got me thinking about how vital volunteers are in the nonprofit world. Whether an organization runs on a shoestring budget or relies entirely on volunteers, their impact is immense.

Volunteering isn’t just about putting in hours; it’s about creating real change in people’s lives and communities. It’s about coming together to make things better, whether you’re tutoring kids, serving meals at a shelter, or offering your professional skills for a good cause.

Here at the Foundation, we’re big believers in the power of volunteering. Our staff serves on boards, volunteers with area charities, and is involved almost daily in the nonprofit world of Southeast Kansas. Your involvement can amplify the impact of our grants and programs, making our community stronger and more vibrant. As Tess said, “Your time and energy can truly make a difference.”

So, if you’ve ever thought about getting involved or want to learn more about volunteer opportunities with our partners, now’s the time! Let’s team up to build a brighter future, one volunteer hour at a time.

Reach out to us if you’re interested—we’d love to chat about how you can make a difference in Southeast Kansas!

From shelter to home: the power of community support

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, I had the privilege of attending the Women’s Health Fund Coffee & Conversations event at Chatters. As a recent addition to CFSEK, I was eager to connect with this dynamic group of women and learn more about their philanthropic efforts.

The event centered around a presentation by Michelle Broxterman and Katherine Pinto from the Wildcat Extension Education Foundation. They showcased their impactful “Kitchen Restore Starter Kits Project for those Exiting Safehouse Crisis Center,” which received grant funding from the Women’s Health Fund’s 2023 cycle. This initiative specifically supports women and families transitioning from Safehouse Crisis Center, offering them essential household items to start fresh after leaving situations involving intimate partner violence.

Having previously worked at Safehouse Crisis Center, I understood firsthand the challenges these individuals face when starting over with nothing but the few things they were able to acquire while in shelter. The grant from the Women’s Health Fund enables the Wildcat Extension Education Foundation to provide not just practical necessities like plates, pots, and utensils, but also the comfort and dignity of being able to prepare a home-cooked meal on their first night in safe, stable housing.

The Women’s Health Fund’s support underscores the group’s commitment to addressing critical needs in our community, ensuring that survivors of domestic violence have the resources to rebuild their lives with hope and understanding that someone out there believes in them and has their back. Initiatives like these highlight the transformative power of philanthropy and collective action in creating positive change.

This event was a reminder of the importance of community support in times of crisis. If you’d like to learn more about how you can contribute to similar efforts or join the Women’s Health Fund, please keep exploring our website or contact us.

Philanthropy is for everybody!

Philanthropy is a word with some baggage. It suggests names on buildings, massive private foundations, or multi-million-dollar donations. In short, it’s a term that you and I might think only applies to other people, not to us.

That’s too bad, because philanthropy is for everybody! And the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas and our affiliates in Columbus, Fort Scott, and Girard make it easy for anyone to make a lasting gift to impact local communities. Here are just a few examples of how you can give, whether you have $20 or $20,000!

Gifts up to $250

Most of our donors give less than $250 each year. In fact, nearly two-thirds of people who gave to CFSEK in 2023 gave less than that, but their combined contributions totaled more than $50,000!

Where did their contributions go? All kinds of places! CFSEK and our affiliates are home to more than 200 different charitable funds, each supporting one or more specific charities or causes.

But these contributors were especially prolific on Match Day, which we hosted last November. 74% of their donations by count (and 78% by amount) were made in the fourth quarter of 2023. Their gifts helped grow local organizations’ endowments, which will provide support for those organizations forever!

Gifts up to $2,000

If you have between $250 and $2,000 to donate, you should consider joining one or more of our giving circles. CFSEK is home to three giving circles:

• The Future Fund Giving Circle provides grants to nonprofit projects in Crawford County, Kansas. Membership is $250 per year for individuals or couples.
• The Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund Circle of Friends Giving Circle provides grants of up to $2,000 to organizations addressing women’s and girls’ health needs in Southeast Kansas. Membership is $250 per year.
• The Rita J. Bicknell Women’s Health Fund Women’s Giving Circle provides grants of $2,000 and up to organizations addressing women’s and girls’ health needs in Southeast Kansas. Membership is $2,000 per year.

Joining a giving circle is a great way to get involved with like-minded people who want to make a difference in our communities!

Gifts up to $10,000

At this giving level, think about establishing a new non-endowed fund. When you establish a fund, you can choose one or more charitable organizations or causes to benefit, including providing scholarships for local students. Or you can create a donor-advised fund, recommending grants to different charities that you select over time.

Non-endowed funds let you have an immediate impact, because the full balance is available for distribution to charities at any time.

Gifts of $10,000 and up

Do you want to make a gift of at least $10,000? It’s time to start thinking about new endowed funds. Endowments are designed to last forever, because only a fraction of the fund balance is available for granting each year. The rest remains invested to generate future income forever!

As with non-endowed funds, new endowments can benefit one or more specific organizations or causes. They can be scholarships. You can even have an endowed donor-advised fund!

Philanthropy is for you and me!

Philanthropy is so much simpler than we sometimes make it out to be. It’s about making a positive impact, regardless of the size of your contribution. Whether you’re giving $20 or $20,000, your generosity matters. The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas and our affiliates offer a range of giving options to suit every donor’s capacity and interests. By embracing philanthropy at every level, we all become part of a collective effort to create lasting change and improve lives in Southeast Kansas.