Golden Belt Community Foundation announced over $22,000 was awarded for its youth grant cycle. Golden Belt Community Foundation’s competitive grants bring in applications from several area nonprofits with a variety of needs. Awards are based on projects most closely aligned with specific grant criteria and available funding. GBCF presented the Hoisington grantees their awards at the Hoisington Chamber of Commerce Coffee, held earlier in August.
There were three charitable projects funded in Hoisington:
• $6,825 – USD 431 Hoisington
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
USD 431’s Wellness Committee finds ways to make healthy choices available to kids, including education regarding sun safety. This grant, along with a match from the USD 431, will provide both Lincoln and Roosevelt Elementary Schools each with a 10-foot permanent square shade shelter. The proposed vender, ATHCO, is a Kansas based company with a reputation for providing durable recreation equipment.
• $718 – City of Hoisington
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The City of Hoisington accepted a grant to continue to support youth recreational and educational activities on days school is not in session. The grant is a collaborative effort with Hoisington Recreation Commission and the students of the FCCLA chapter to create activities and programs to keep kids active on days off during the academic year and throughout the summer.
• $500 – Hoisington Public Library
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
Because of the grant awarded to Hoisington Public Library, they were able to purchase over 80 new and replacement books for their young readers. Early readers, ages 5-12 years old, are some of the most frequent visitors of the library. They will now be able to enjoy new content, along with the replacement of classic literature that was well-worn.
Other awards included:
• $12,030 – Assembly of God Church in Larned
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The church has taken on the task of providing the community with a full-size outdoor basketball court. The concrete portion of the court will be 95 by 50 feet and have two 54-inch basketball hoops. This space is available for use by the entire community of Larned.
• $683 – St. John’s Episcopal Church in Great Bend
The Children’s Fund
St. John’s is one of the local churches that works to ensure that kids have food over the weekend. They work with the schools and Kansas Food Bank in identifying kids that are food insecure and who are not getting enough food outside of school on a regular basis. This grant is to provide food for the weekend food backpack program.
• $732 – St. John’s Child Development Center Wilhelm Campus
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
The Wilhelm Campus needed a shed to store outside children’s toys and equipment from natural wearing caused by the weather. The grant assisted with not only the addition of a shed but also some additional toys.
• $600 – Ida Long Goodman Memorial Library
Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Health Endowment Fund
This grant is to assist an outdoor classroom. The library has been working on this space for the last three years. The grant is for three viewing tables, eight binoculars, and four digital cameras.
About GBCF
For questions regarding the competitive grant process, donor advised funds and other opportunities, call Golden Belt Community Foundation, 620-792-3000, or email gbcf@goldenbeltcf.org. At $22.5 million in total assets and more than 170 funds under management, GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford.
