Philanthropy Today

We trace the rebirth of a historic downtown theater into Wareham Hall, a flexible, high-tech home for performance, learning, and community. Blade Mages lays out the $40M plan, the acoustic and rigging innovations, and how donors and partners make the vision real.

• renaming the opera house to a community hall
• origins of the project and early ambitions
• fundraising strategy and historic tax credits
• cost dri...

We bring Veterans Day into sharp focus by showing how local giving meets real military needs through the Armed Forces Community Foundation. Kevin West walks us through 31 partner groups, the dollar-for-dollar Veterans Day Match, and the simple ways to donate online or in person.

• What the AFCF does and how it partners locally
• Operation Santa Claus support for junior enlisted families
• Central Kansas Military Co...

Dave and Vern share a tribute to C Clyde Jones, reflecting on his century of service, his love for Manhattan, Kansas, and the values he taught by example. From endowments to focus, his voice offers a clear path for nonprofits and young leaders who want to make change that lasts.

• Quiet service over recognition
• Endowment building as core community infrastructure
• Practical advice for young professionals on choos...

We celebrate Manhattan’s Veterans Day with the biggest parade in Kansas, a salute to the National Guard and Reserve, and a free, accessible ceremony that welcomes everyone in person and online. From breakfast at the American Legion to mall exhibits and mounted color guard, the day blends pageantry with purpose.

• Parade details and route from mall to City Hall
• Focus on honoring National Guard and Reserve
• Free v...

We share how UFM opens doors for everyone to learn and teach, from health and wellness to AI, cooking, DIY, and veteran support. We highlight a leadership lecture that turns ideas into action and preview expansion into neighboring Kansas counties.

• UFM’s mission as an open community learning hub
• New health and wellness classes including Pilates and glucose stability
• Practical AI with ChatGPT prompting and auto...

We sat down with Central Kansas Military Community Foundation director Ruth Dupree to unpack how a 2004 grassroots effort grew into a fast, reliable safety net. Ruth shares moving stories, a temporary fence so an autistic child can play safely, emergency help for a new arrival who received no pay due to a system error, and support for parents making repeated medical trips when the Ronald McDonald House is full. The pattern is clear...

 We celebrate 20 years of Manhattan Free Clinic. Rick Hernandez joins us to reflect on milestones and momentum: a second clinic site inside the Flint Hills Community Accelerator, targeted grants that equipped modern exam rooms, and interactive patient education that sends videos and guides straight to your inbox. We talk about what it means to care for neighbors in a system defined by high deductibles and shifting coverage, and why...

We share how Wonder Workshop is growing after a whirlwind summer, honoring Richard Pitts’ legacy while launching new programs, exhibits, and a reimagined Soul Food Dinner. We talk candidly about needs—supplies, volunteers, and funding—and how small actions keep the doors open.

• Remembering Richard Pitts and the roots of Wonder Workshop
• The giant blue chair as a beacon for new visitors
• Weekly preschool sessions...

We share how our 360 Life Center model turns a former store into a hub for emergency aid, street outreach, free clothing, meals, and community gatherings. We ask listeners to help us hit a modest auction goal that keeps rent, utilities, food, and medication assistance local.

• what a 360 life center is and why it differs from big-city salvation armies
• renovations that enable meals, more freezer space, and a larger ca...

We talk with Leslie White, director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation, about how Bison, Beef & Bourbon funds exhibits, programs, and a new outdoor classroom to serve learners year-round. We clarify the roles of foundations vs. cities, share event details, and explain how to bid or donate even if you can’t attend.

• Difference between the Discovery Center and the 501(c)(3) foundation
• What past Bison, ...

We share what the Crisis Center does each day to keep survivors safe—from 24/7 advocacy to a confidential shelter now delivering roughly 9,300 bed nights a year—and why outreach, staffing, and community support are crucial. We also unveil the Clothesline Project at Manhattan Town Center and invite help for the holidays through gifts, volunteers, and essentials.

• what our safe shelter and advocacy services include
• th...

We spotlight two extraordinary local philanthropic organizations - Fairy Godmothers and Guardians - that provide critical support to Manhattan residents in need through emergency grants and educational funding.

• Fairy Godmothers, founded in 2006 as "Women Helping Women," has grown to 700 members and distributes over $60,000 annually
• Members contribute $100 for a lifetime membership with funds managed throu...

Rich Jankovich, president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Fort Riley-Central Kansas Chapter, discusses the organization's mission and Fort Riley's significant economic impact on the Manhattan area. Despite being less visible than Kansas State University, Fort Riley contributes approximately $4 billion annually to the local economy, representing about 47% of the region's total economic benefit comp...

Scott Voos of Be Able shares how his organization provides support, resources, and community to Manhattan residents facing personal challenges. Neighbor Kia courageously tells her powerful journey from addiction to recovery, crediting Be Able with providing the consistent support that changed her life.

• Be Able is celebrating five years of serving the Manhattan community
• The Upside Down Auction fundraiser on Septemb...

Mike Rezkalla, CEO of Pawnee Mental Health, shares how the organization serves 185,000 people across 10 Kansas counties with integrated mental health services. September marks both National Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Awareness Month, highlighting the critical work being done to address the 49,000 annual lives lost to suicide - one every 11 minutes.

• Pawnee offers comprehensive services under one roof including ...

Fort Riley's annual Apple Days Festival returns October 18th at the artillery parade field, featuring 800 apple pies made from Libby Custer's historic recipe. Two newly crowned Pie Queens, Christy and Kelly, will oversee pie production and represent the festival in period-appropriate dresses and royal regalia.

• Apple Days combines military displays with homemade pie and ice cream for the community
• Pies fol...

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...