Newton Kansan
The impending merger of the Greater Newton Community Foundation and the Central Kansas Community Foundation recently has prompted more people to ask “What is a community foundation anyway?”
The scholarly “definition” goes something like this. A community foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, autonomous, publicly supported, nonsectarian philanthropic institution with a long-term goal of building permanent, named, endowed funds for the charitable benefit of a defined geographic area. Whew! All true, but that’s an overwhelming definition that doesn’t begin to describe the positive impact that can be derived from a thriving, visionary foundation. I prefer to think of the Greater Newton Community Foundation not in terms of what we are by definition, but what we do every day that has a visible impact on our community. Yes, we promote philanthropy but what does that really mean for the average resident of Harvey County? Last year alone, contributions made through the Greater Newton Community Foundation touched many lives in Newton and Harvey County. Health care was provided to uninsured women. An automatic door was installed at a local senior center. Respite care was provided to parents of children with special needs. Area children were provided with meals during school breaks and educational programming through their local library. One grant even made it possible for local high school students to make physical improvements at our local homeless shelter, a project that not only helped those served by that agency, but taught young people they can make a difference in their community. The Greater Newton Community Foundation is guided by a dedicated board of your local friends and neighbors who care passionately about the future of Newton and Harvey County. Since the original inception of the Greater Newton Community Foundation in 1996, we have awarded more than $1.6 million to area non-profit organizations, an average of $140,000 annually. Perhaps even more telling, however, is the more than $100,000 in charitable requests we receive each year that go unmet because of our limited unrestricted grant funds. We can all help. You can make a contribution to an existing fund, or create your own for your favorite cause or particular charity. Find the motivation to finally complete your estate plan and consider a charitable component. Learn more about charitable trusts or gift annuities. Involve your family and teach your children to be philanthropic. Get involved with the Women’s Community Fund. Meet with the Greater Newton Community Foundation/Central Kansas Community Foundation. Be creative and find out how you can leave a personal legacy. Effective Jan. 1, the “Greater Newton Community Foundation” will merge with “Central Kansas Community Foundation.” We will assume our new name and identity with pride and look forward to the opportunity to better serve the residents of central Kansas. The spirit of collaboration that brought these two foundations together also can introduce a new era of opportunity and philanthropy for Central Kansas. Together we can accomplish great things! Sandra Fruit is the executive director of the Greater Newton Community Foundation/Central Kansas Community Foundation.
