Philanthropy Today

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) foundati...

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...

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 wi...

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...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 • Emer...

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 cockt...

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 imme...

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 thei...

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 • Progra...

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 an...

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 cre...

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 addresse...

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 whil...

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. • Servic...

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 sta...

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 follow...

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. • Supportin...

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 Bibl...

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. • Co...

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,...

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 Manhat...