Wife-and-husband team Debbie and Duane Reif know how to motivate and energize a community from the grassroots level.
As co-directors of Kans For Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation — started by their two children, who have since moved away for college — they’ve been change-agents for 20 years in helping Barton County children who battle cancer, along with their families. But the Reifs want their campaign to carry forward beyond their years of service to the organization. An endowment was needed to accomplish their goal, something well beyond their knowledge level to achieve on their own.
“We started out as dumpster divers,” said Debbie Reif. “What did we know about establishing an endowment?
The Reifs turned to the Golden Belt Community Foundation for expertise and assistance in establishment of their endowment. Six years later, the Kans For Kids Endowment is going strong and the Reifs are happy with calling upon GBCF to help fulfill their long-term objective.
“We just have a lot of faith and trust in the Golden Belt Community Foundation,” explained Debbie. “When we are gone, we know they will make the right decisions for our organization with the endowment, according to our wishes. Our organization will always be about serving children with the primary focus of serving children in Barton County.”
The Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and allows for a wide range of charitable giving by donors, who establish the criteria. Additionally, GBCF’s staff handles the nuances of each fund and administers all aspects, according to each fund’s guidelines. That removes the management burden from the donor, while also assuring donations to the respective fund are being utilized according to the donor’s intentions.
Community organizations have recognized GBCF’s value through the years. Since forming in 1996, GBCF has grown to include more than 100 endowment funds for organizations located in the four counties that the Foundation serves.
The administrative role that GBCF provides is vital for the Reifs, whose Kans-For-Kids involvement has advanced over the years. No longer just an organization that collects cans for money, Kans For Kids offers fund-raising, memorial giving and endowment opportunities for donors. It’s a full-time job for Debbie, who manages a 12-member working board and also works part time at the Hoisington Library. Duane works full time for Hoisington’s United Ag Service, while continuing to help with Kans For Kids.   
“I’d definitely recommend the Golden Belt Community Foundation to others who are considering establishment of an endowment,’ explained Duane. “Christy Tustin did an excellent job guiding us through the initial process. Since that time, Kristy Rupe has joined in helping us. It’s a blessing for us to work with such a wonderful staff.”
Debbie said the relationship with GBCF has actually grown stronger for them over the years, with the GBCF staff providing key advice and strategies to help guide the Reifs in their organization’s efforts.
“The Golden Belt Community Foundation has been there to answer our questions at every turn,” explained Debbie. “They know a lot about endowments and they know a lot about Kans For Kids.”