Philanthropy Today

To wrap up our GMCF Cornerstone Award Series, we chatted with Vern Henricks GMCF’s President and CEO about his interviews with the 25 GMCF Cornerstone Award winners.  We dove into the impact of the individuals who have envisioned and shaped the foundation’s legacy throughout our 25-year history. Learn how the foundation has navigated initial challenges and evolved to create lasting positive change...

Today, we chatted with Mark Knackendoffel, the recipient of the Vision Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, Mark shared his journey from leading the trust department at First National Bank to founding his own company and becoming a key player in forming t...

Today, we chatted with Jim Morrison, the recipient of the Vision Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we uncovered the story behind his 53-year journey in Manhattan, from his roots in Clay Center to his impactful roles in organizations like The Breadbaske...

Today, we chatted with Bob and Tracy DeBruyn, the recipients of the Vision Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we unearthed how Bob's family and friends played pivotal roles in his development and Tracy’s touching story of how a significant act of g...

Today, we chatted with Jim Gordon, the recipient of the Vision Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we uncovered his love for photography, early experiences at K-State University, getting hired and making partner at Sink Gordon Accountants & Advisors,...

Today, we chatted with Joe Lyle, the recipient of the Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes individuals who inspire and drive transformative processes for GMCF’s benefit. We explored Joe’s professional journey, transitioning from teaching accounting at Kansas State University to becoming a local philanthropic leader. We learned about her love for trav...

Today, we chatted with Lee Meigs, the recipient of the Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes individuals who inspire and drive transformative processes for GMCF’s benefit. We explored Lee’s heartwarming story during our discussion, highlighting her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters and co-founding Fairy Godmothers. We got to know Lee’s thoughts on re...

Today, we talked with C. Clyde Jones, the Influence Cornerstone Award recipient at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we learned about this 101-year-old pillar of the Manhattan community becoming Kansas State University's inaugural dean of the College of Business Admin...

Today, we chatted with Therese Miller, the recipient of the Influence Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we uncovered how her parents and church ignited her passion for giving, her extensive volunteer work with the United Way, and her engagement with th...

Today, we talked with Neil Horton, an Impact Cornerstone Award recipient at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who had a strong impact in making GMCF successful. During our discussion, we delved into Neil's professional life, from his early days in Topeka to his role at the Beyer Construction Company under the mentorship of Burke Bayer, Neil's story is one of un...

Today, we chatted with Cheryl Grice, the recipient of the Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes individuals who inspire and drive transformative processes for GMCF’s benefit. During our discussion, we explored Cheryl’s background, professional life, the pivotal role played by supportive local groups like the Little Apple Pilot Club, the founding of Fa...

Today, we chatted with Terry Arthur, the recipient of the Influence Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we discovered Terry’s journey in the Manhattan community from serving as general counsel for the Kansas Farm Bureau to teaching at Kansas State Univer...

Today, we chatted with Tom Fryer, the recipient of the Influence Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we explored Tom’s background, and professional life, talked about his wife Angie, her work with the Fairy Godmothers, and his advice to young people want...

Today, we chatted with Polly Stoecklein, the recipient of the Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes individuals who inspire and drive transformative processes for GMCF’s benefit. During our discussion, we explored Polly’s background, professional life, passion for dogs, the founding of Fairy Godmothers, and her commitment to creating impact beyond her...

Today, we talked with Dennis Mullin, an Impact Cornerstone Award recipient at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who had a strong impact in making GMCF successful. During our discussion, we delved into Dennis's professional life, his mentoring of college students, starting the Flint Hills Breadbasket, founding the Flint Hills Christian School, and his involvement wit...

Today, we talked with Sue Maes, the Influence Cornerstone Award recipient at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who saw the potential of what a community foundation could do for Manhattan. During our discussion, we delved into Sue’s history, professional life, involvement with the foundation, starting the Fairy Godmothers, and her newfound passion for climate change educa...

Today, we talked with Bill Richter, the Impact Cornerstone Award recipient at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who had a strong impact in making GMCF successful. During our discussion, we dove into Bill’s sixty-year philanthropic journey, exploring his involvement with his church, the community foundation, and the Crisis Center. GMCF CFAs

Today, we talked with Dirk Daveline, a recipient of a Catalyst Cornerstone Award at the Community Foundation Awards. This award recognizes those who inspire and drive transformative processes around them for GMCF’s benefit. During our discussion, we dove into Dirk's journey, exploring his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters, his views on philanthropy, and his advice to prospective board...

Today, we chatted with GMCF's president and CEO, Vern Henricks. In the second of our two-part series, we discussed the community foundation's MHK Together Program initiated to combat the COVID business shutdown, GMCF's disaster relief fund, and the childcare and business accelerator.  GMCF CFAs

Today, we chatted with GMCF's president and CEO, Vern Henricks. In the first of a two-part series, we discussed the community foundation's 25 years. We covered everything from the initial $200 donation to legalize GMCF as a non-profit community Foundation to our 365 million dollars in assets 25 years later and everything in between.  GMCF CFAs

Today, we talked with GMCF's current Board of Directors Chair, Matt Crocker. We discussed how he became involved with the community foundation the year ahead with the goal of finishing the projects that past chairs Jackie Hartman Borck and Kim McAtee started and laying the foundation for GMCF's next 25 years.  GMCF CFAs

Today, we chatted with outgoing board chair, GMCF’s 2023-2024 Board of Directors Chair, Kim McAtee. We talked about her getting the philanthropy bug from her parents, getting her children involved in Youth Impacting Community (YIC), and championing the Flint Hills Community Accelerator. Her strategic insights and expertise contributed greatly to GMCF's success.   GMCF CFAs

Today, we chatted with GMCF’s 2022-2023 Board of Directors Chair, Jackie Hartman Borck. We discussed how she became involved with the foundation, her year as board chair, and the importance of the arts for community growth. GMCF CFAs

Today, we chatted with GMCF’s 2021-2022 Board of Directors Chair, Therese Miller. We discussed her time as the board treasurer, her year as board chair reintegrating after the pandemic, starting the Philanthropy Today podcast and the GMCF community arts program, and her passion for affordable housing for our community.  GMCF CFAs

Today, we spoke with GMCF’s 2020-2021 Board of Directors Chair, Bill Bahr. We chatted about his year as board chair, adapting and overcoming challenges during the COVID lockdown, and helping those most impacted by the pandemic in the Manhattan community with the MHK Together program. GMCF CFAs