For the past 25+ years, the Western Kansas Community Foundation (WKCF) has been working to improve the quality of life in the 15 counties of southwest Kansas. Over that time, WKCF has distributed over $15 MILLION in grants across the region, most of which were donor-directed: scholarships given, programs developed, organizations supported. As the community has evolved, so has the work of WKCF. The WKCF is now at a turning point, moving from a model of transactional philanthropy to a model of strategic impact. This shift is based on lessons learned over the years, namely that the most lasting change happens through coordinated collaborations rather than through isolated interventions and one-time donations.

In 2021, the WKCF was given an incredible opportunity. A series of unexpected gifts to the Foundation set the stage for unprecedented action - the establishment of the Community Development Fund. “We’re able to do a lot more with this unrestricted fund. We can be proactive and address needs in the community, and anticipate future needs as determined by Census data, questionnaires, and the WKCF impact study. We can focus on areas such as health, education, wellbeing, and housing. We can consider the bigger picture and plan ahead, even providing loans as well as traditional grants,” said Conny Bogaard, WKCF Executive Director.

By giving to this meaningful fund, you are planting promises for our future community; helping new businesses secure a storefront, helping valuable services open their doors for the first time, giving organizations an immeasurable hand-up towards impacting the areas of highest need within our communities.

The clip above is from an Impact Study conducted for the WKCF in our 25th Anniversary year. To watch the full film, please click HERE.