20 Bourbon County nonprofits received $77,591 in funding from the Fort Scott Area Community Foundation (FSACF) at this morning’s Fort Scott Area Chamber Coffee. More than 30 local residents came together at Landmark Bank to celebrate FSACF’s 2024 grants, which will support 23 nonprofit projects in the Fort Scott area.
Thanks to those grants, Bourbon County will see improved emergency services, enhanced support for vulnerable populations, upgraded community facilities, and the entire community will benefit from a wide range of educational, health, and social programs that foster growth, safety, and well-being!
Table of Contents
2024 FSACF grant recipients
This year’s recipients and their projects are:
- Bourbon County EMS will implement a battery-powered hydraulic ambulance cot system to reduce injuries and improve efficiency.
- Care to Share Cancer Support Group of Bourbon County Kansas, Inc. will provide financial and practical assistance to cancer patients and their caregivers.
- City of Bronson will replace outdated picnic tables with environmentally friendly alternatives made from recycled tire materials to enhance the local park.
- City of Fort Scott will develop and distribute fire prevention and safety educational materials for children in pre-kindergarten through 5th grade.
- Core Community Bourbon County will fund essential training for staff and volunteers to improve their poverty alleviation program.
- DBLO Association will provide bed packages, including frames, mattresses, and bedding, to children in need in the Fort Scott area.
- First United Methodist Church Fort Scott will replace a failed freezer to improve their food ministry’s storage capabilities and efficiency.
- Fort Scott Tigers Youth Football League will enhance player safety through helmet reconditioning.
- Fostering Connections will organize free family fun events to strengthen relationships within foster and adoptive families.
- Friends of Mapleton Association will upgrade the community center’s public restroom to meet ADA requirements, ensuring accessibility for all residents and visitors.
- Gordon Parks Museum Foundation will install informational story board display panels to commemorate the historic Wayman Chapel African American Methodist Episcopal Church.
- KVC Kansas will provide Christmas gifts for Fort Scott youth in foster care to alleviate the financial burden on foster families.
- Ozark Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America will support their fall recruitment campaign and provide youth camping scholarships in Bourbon County.
- Special Olympics Kansas will supply Unified Program materials and competition medals to Bourbon County schools and athletes.
- SparkWheel will implement a multi-level, evidence-based student support program in Fort Scott Middle and High Schools.
- St. Mary’s Catholic School will build a new playground to replace the one demolished during church reconstruction.
- TFI Family Services Inc. will provide mentorship and life skills training for teens aging out of foster care.
- The Beacon Inc. will maintain food assistance programs in the face of rising food prices and increased demand.
- Tri-Valley Developmental Services, Inc. will implement a 10-week curricular intervention program focusing on relationship skills for adults with disabilities.
- USD 234 Fort Scott will organize a walking tour of historic Fort Scott for kindergarten students to explore local businesses.
- USD 234 Fort Scott will continue the “Sunshine Cart” program to boost morale among educators by providing weekly snacks and drinks.
- USD 234 Fort Scott will provide first-graders at Winfield Scott with theater and community experiences to enhance learning through role-playing.
- USD 234 Fort Scott will conduct community-based interactive instruction on healthy snack selection and purchasing for special needs students and peer models.
Congratulations to this year’s grant recipients, and thank you for everything you do for Bourbon County residents!
Watch the 2024 FSACF Grant Celebration
About FSACF grants
The Fort Scott Area Community Foundation hosts a competitive-grant process each year in August. During that process, local nonprofit organizations, churches, schools, and government entities are invited to apply for funding for their local projects. Members of the FSACF board of directors review applications and vote on which should receive funding.
FSACF grants are made possible by the generosity of our donors. The following charitable funds established by FSACF donors contribute to our annual competitive-grant cycle:
- First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Fort Scott Charitable Endowment Fund
- John Valentine and Patricia Jean Neff Health Care Fund
- Shepherd Family Endowment Fund
FSACF is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, a 501(c)(3) public charity.