Philanthropy Today

Brady Armstrong, Chief Development Officer of the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan, discusses how federal funding challenges have impacted their services and the innovative ways they're responding to ensure no child is turned away.

• Over 600 kids walk through their doors daily across 13 locations
• Recent funding freeze forced them to cut enrollment by half, creating waitlists and impacting parents' ability ...

Lori Bishop from the Flint Hills Volunteer Center and board member Ronnie Grice are discussing their upcoming 9/11 Family Event and Picnic on September 7th at Pottorf Hall.

• Annual event honors the memory of 9/11 through community service projects
• 400 pairs of athletic shoes will be distributed to children in grades K-5
• First responders will personally fit children with their new shoes
• Emergency vehicles...

Big Brothers Big Sisters prepares for their fifth annual Manhattan fundraiser, a 1950s-themed cocktail party on September 20th at the K-State Alumni Center to support their youth mentorship programs.

• One-to-one mentoring connects caring adults with youth facing adversity to build long-lasting friendships
• This year's event transforms from a bourbon tasting to a Mad Men-inspired 1950s cocktail party
• Specia...

Meadowlark's Parkinson's Program provides free education, exercise, and support services to anyone affected by Parkinson's disease throughout the Flint Hills region. The program helps combat the depression, anxiety, and apathy often associated with Parkinson's while providing crucial exercise opportunities that are proven to slow disease progression.

• Boxing therapy shows immediate results with partici...

Sunflower Children's Collective operates as an umbrella organization encompassing three vital agencies serving vulnerable children: Sunflower CASA, Stepping Stones Child Advocacy Center, and Sunflower Bridge Child Exchange and Visitation Center. CASA volunteers serve as court-appointed advocates for abused and neglected children, walking alongside them through their court cases to ensure their voices are heard and needs are me...

Candice McIntosh and Melissa Colby share their mission at Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills, bringing joy and confidence to girls in third through eighth grade across a ten-county region. The program combines physical activity with lessons on confidence, friendship, and community engagement.

• New "Hello Bold Heart" curriculum focuses on helping girls find and use their voices
• Program teaches girls to be ...

Kent Michael Smith, director of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, introduces the inaugural Kansas Triennial, a new exhibition showcasing contemporary artists living and working in Kansas that will occur every three years.

• Beach Museum is the only major museum with a focus specifically on Kansas art and the region
• The Triennial emerged from Smith's desire to highlight this focus and connect with artists...

Christine Benne discusses the new Gold Star Family monument being established at Victory Park on Fort Riley, honoring the 13,578 members of the First Infantry Division who made the ultimate sacrifice across multiple conflicts. This monument provides Gold Star families, those who have lost a loved one in military service, a place for reflection and remembrance.

• Gold Star Family Fund initially created to help Kansas famili...

The Rural Riley County Community Foundation unites three small towns—Keats, Leonardville, and Riley, creating meaningful community impact through local philanthropy and robust fundraising initiatives.

• Foundation manages 26 funds, with 23 participating in their upcoming Match Day
• Raised over $97,000 in their first Match Day with $23,000 in matching funds
• Community Food Basket program addresses food insecurity ...

Sheila Ellis-Glasper of Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills shares how her organization has distributed over $114,000 in grants to business owners of color and launched a groundbreaking loan fund with a 4% interest rate. She unveils plans for the Yuma Street Cultural Center, the first Kansas initiative combining African-American heritage, entrepreneurship support, and cultural preservation while revealing fascinating historical ...

Amy Payton shares the mission of Packages for Warriors, a nonprofit offering free shipping of medium flat-rate care packages to deployed service members through their partnership with Box and Ship in Junction City. Started as a grassroots effort after 9/11 and eventually becoming a nonprofit in 2006, the organization helps civilians support military personnel with comfort items from home.

• Service available to anyone send...

Richard Stitt shares his journey from psychiatric patient to co-founder of Morningstar, an organization that has provided invaluable support to individuals with persistent mental illness for 21 years. After finding stability with proper medication and achieving sobriety, Richard transformed his struggles into a mission that has helped countless people find purpose and community.

•  Morningstar started 21 years ago after be...

Virginia Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team (MART), shares how the organization has helped over 250 refugees establish new lives in Kansas since 2021. From airport pickups to job placement to navigating complex documentation, MART provides comprehensive support that has helped many refugees achieve self-sufficiency in just a few years.

• MART began in 2021 following the withdrawal of Amer...

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Kansas provides crucial support to families whose children need medical care, functioning as a home away from home where families can stay at no cost while remaining close to their hospitalized children. Their historic house offers eight private guest bedrooms, meals, transportation, and emotional support for families during difficult times.

• Supporting primarily families with ...

Homefront Heroes is a faith-based ministry called to reach unconnected military wives by providing them with discipleship, resources, and a supportive community to help them thrive amid the unique trials they face.

• Founded in 2019 by three military wives who identified a gap in support services
• Offers multiple support channels including social media, the Hope on the Homefront podcast, and Bible study curriculum

The Food and Farm Council of Riley County and City of Manhattan serves as a network hub bringing together partners to address persistent food insecurity issues, reduce food waste, and support local farms. Riley County consistently ranks among the highest counties for food insecurity nationwide, with approximately 13-14% of residents affected and 2,700 people currently receiving SNAP benefits.

• Council consists of 15 volun...

Jack Lindquist, Executive Director of the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program, shares the 33-year history and impact of this regional leadership initiative. The program builds collaborative relationships across Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, and Morris counties to foster regional problem-solving and create positive change.

• Created 33 years ago through partnership between Fort Riley, Kansas State University, a...

The YES Fund supports Manhattan's youth through after-school programming, creating opportunities for young people and strengthening the community since its founding in 1993 following devastating floods.

• YES Fund originated when community leaders recognized that youth lacked meaningful after-school activities
• Annual campaign generates approximately $300,000 for youth programs across Manhattan
• Supports div...

Karla Hagemeister of the Flint Hills Breadbasket shares remarkable statistics about their new facility and the rising need for food support in Manhattan. After moving to a larger location in May, they're now serving record numbers.  With over 2,000 family visits in June alone, Karla reflects on both the community's generosity and growing economic challenges.

• The Breadbasket moved to a new, larger facility in la...