The CPI Barton County Endowment was established in 2009 through the Golden Belt Community Foundation when CUNA Mutual Group acquired CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, Inc. (CPI) and made a generous donation establishing the corporate grantmaking fund. Since then the fund has grown and CPI employees have begun reviewing projects that will benefit Barton County. Earlier this year CUNA Mutual Group announced the rebranding and newly targeted focus for CPI, which included a new name: CPI is now known as CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions.
The CPI Barton County Endowment is accepting Letters of Inquiry for the 2014 grant cycle. The intent of the CPI Barton County Endowment is to improve the quality of life in the Barton County area. Projects eligible for grants will make tangible improvements that provide a visible improvement to one or more of the communities in Barton County. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities. Interested organizations must first submit a Letter of Inquiry. After review by the Golden Belt Community Foundation and the CPI Barton County Endowment committee, selected organizations may be invited to provide further information.
To involve its employees in giving and to simplify the giving process, CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions chose to manage its giving through a donor-advised fund at the Golden Belt Community Foundation. Corporate donor-advised funds allow a company to make a charitable gift, establish a fund in the company’s name, and remain involved by recommending grants to charitable agencies or projects. Each year employees make grant recommendations to the foundation Board of Directors regarding the charitable agencies or projects they wish to benefit. With each grant awarded, CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions will further its corporate philanthropy and community involvement.
To apply go to www.goldenbeltcf.org, selects ‘Grants’, and then click ‘Apply Here’ to complete an application and upload your letter of inquiry.  Questions regarding this grant opportunity should be directed to Sue Cooper, Program Officer, Golden Belt Community Foundation at (620) 792-3000 or sue@goldenbeltcf.org.