The annual appeal for the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation is underway. Since 2009, the Foundation has awarded 146 grants totaling more than $238,500 to area nonprofits. The annual appeal supports the unrestricted endowed fund from which grants are awarded. Grants to our hard-working nonprofits come from the interest on this permanent fund. The principal is never touched, according to Carla Farmer, Foundation chair.
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“Growing this fund is more important than ever”
Leading the annual appeal are David Shepherd and Charles Gentry. Shepherd and Gentry serve on the Foundation Board of Directors and have been actively involved in community fundraising efforts over the years.
“Charles and I believe that growing this fund is more important than ever,” said Shepherd. “The needs in our community continue to increase. By supporting the annual appeal, more dollars will be available to provide more grants for our community’s elderly, youth, and quality of life initiatives.”
Gentry added, “This year we have the opportunity to maximize gifts through a match offered by a generous donor. Gifts of any size to the annual appeal will be matched up to $20,000.”
FSACF grants awarded during 2020
In October of this year, $36,250 in grants were awarded to 18 organizations by the Foundation. The grants affect all age groups and support initiatives including travel vouchers for cancer patients, youth music programs, and funds that help feed and clothe the neediest of our citizens.
One organization to receive a grant this year is Bourbon County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Christa Horn, executive director, stated, “We have serious business to conduct during a very serious time. We wish that our service was not needed, but alas, child abuse and neglect does not care about a pandemic, does not care about safety.” The funds to CASA will be used to help volunteers continue their work in a time when face-to-face contact is not possible. “We will use these funds wisely to help our volunteers continue their roles as the eyes and ears of the Courts and the voice of the child,” Horn added.
Congratulations to our 2020 grant recipients!
- USD #234: 30 piano keyboards with protection plans and 50 headphones. ($1,500)
- City of Fort Scott Fire Department: Refurbish safety trailer for education. ($2,500)
- Beacon, Inc.: Support for increased demand of services. ($3,000)
- KSU Extension – Southwind: Aging with Attitude Regional Expo – speaker fees. ($650)
- FS/BB Riverfront Authority: Pave Bell Park parking lot. ($1,000)
- Bourbon County CASA: Resources and tools to help volunteers during COVID-19. ($3,150)
- Lowell Milken Center: Recognizing Fort Scott frontline heroes. ($1,250)
- Special Olympics Kansas: Boxed meals for athletes. ($500)
- Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition: Threads for U – Hep with rent, utilities, etc. ($1,600)
- Fort Scott Community College: Martin Luther King Celebration. ($600)
- Gordon Parks Museum: Learning Tree Film Tourism Trail. ($2,500)
- Care to Share: The Sharing Bucket – support for those battling cancer. ($5,000)
- City of Fort Scott/Kiwanis Club: Friendship swing at a park. ($2,000)
- Faith Christian Center: School supplies for all Fort Scott students. ($2,500)
- Pioneer Harvest Fiesta, Inc.: Fairgrounds Event Center enhancements. ($2,500)
- FS United Methodist Church: Feeding Families in His Name. ($2,000)
- USD # 234 – 1st grade: Virtual community experiences. ($2,500)
- FS Compassionate Ministries: ID and winter-warming project. ($1,500)
Your gifts support our grants
To make a gift visit fsacf.com or call 620-224-6500.