Philanthropy Today

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...

The Art Press Fund is transforming Manhattan's cultural landscape by bringing diverse events to the community while renovating a historic Art Deco building into a 400-person indoor venue to complement their successful outdoor space.

• Eric Kleiner, musician with Headlight Rivals, leads the organization alongside Derek Richards and his sister
• The fund's three main goals include providing affordable/free ente...

The Salvation Army's 360 Life Center in Manhattan, Kansas, represents a groundbreaking approach to community service as the first rural pilot program of its kind in the United States. Director Susan Evans and volunteer Carla Johnson share how they've expanded from helping 25-30 people monthly to over 1,000 by identifying and filling service gaps through collaborative partnerships.

• The 360 Life Center approach a...

Rich Jankovich, Chapter President of the Fort Riley-Central Kansas AUSA chapter, explains the organization's mission to serve America's Army, veterans, National Guard, Reserves, and their families through education, professional development, and advocacy.

• AUSA's Fort Riley-Central Kansas chapter covers from east of Topeka to the western Kansas border, making it one of the largest chapters geographically

Michael Stubbs, president of Mount Mitchell Prairie Guards, shares the inspiring 20-year journey of preserving a historically and ecologically significant 165-acre park. From rescuing the land from potential development to creating accessible trails where visitors can experience wagon ruts from the 1840s and diverse prairie ecosystems, this volunteer-led effort showcases grassroots conservation at its finest.

• Original 30...

Kitty Pursley joins us to discuss the third annual Little Apple Splash, the world's premier canine aquatics competition coming to Blue Earth Plaza this weekend, featuring dogs jumping from a dock into a pool competing in three disciplines. 

• Manhattan hosts the national competition as a qualifier for the world championship in Dubuque, Iowa
• Competition includes big air (long jump), extreme vertical (high jump), ...

Manhattan Area Technical College has transformed from a vocational technical school into an enterprise center for workforce training, offering both traditional college pathways and flexible skills-based education through their Tech Plus program. The college boasts an impressive 98-99% job placement rate with graduates earning $50-70K+ right out of school, demonstrating the critical need for technical education in today's workf...

The Flint Hills Summer Fun Camp offers inclusive summer camp experiences for all children regardless of their abilities. Founded in 2010 by mothers of children with autism, the camp has grown to serve approximately 40 children from three school districts with professional staff and community support.

• Started in 2010 by mothers who wanted camp experiences for their children with autism
• Serves children ages 5 through...

Thrive, a relatively new nonprofit organization, works to break cycles of poverty by building community support systems, increasing financial stability, and teaching essential parenting skills to families who would otherwise feel isolated and overwhelmed.

• Founded by Jamie Morris Hardeman in response to patterns observed at CASA, where families in the foster care system often lacked financial stability, support networks, ...

Matt reflects on his journey with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, sharing insights from his time as Board Chair and the innovative initiatives that have positioned the foundation for future success.

• Joined GMCF after moving to Manhattan in 2005, serving first on the grants committee before joining the Executive Board
• Spearheaded an innovative childcare solution that functions as a business incubator for...

The Manhattan Optimist Club is launching an instrument drive to collect gently used band and orchestra instruments for students whose families can't afford them. This initiative brings together the Optimist Club, K-State's instrument repair specialist, and local school music directors to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education regardless of financial circumstances.

• Instrument co...