We surprised Russell County Leadership with a $250 Random Grant of Kindness to celebrate their work in building leaders for the betterment of our communities. Thank you for making Russell County even better. We appreciate all the many kind things you do
For many young people, the desire to work hard and build a future is strong, but the path forward isn’t always easy. Even with determination and talent, the cost of tools, equipment, work clothing, and certifications can stand in the way.
The Stephani Ruggels Youth Workforce Development Fund at the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF), is a new permanent endowment designed to help local youth take that critical first step into the workforce.
The fund will support graduating seniors from USD 407, as well as alumni up to age 21, who are pursuing careers in technical, trade, and other high-demand fields. It provides practical start-up assistance so recipients can begin working or training right away, without being held back by financial barriers.
“Sometimes, it’s not a lack of ambition that holds someone back, it’s a lack of resources,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director. “This fund is about giving young people the chance to move forward with confidence and the tools they need to succeed right out of high school.”
For a young person ready to become a welder, mechanic, electrician, or healthcare technician, even a few hundred dollars can make the difference between starting a career or waiting indefinitely. This fund exists to remove those obstacles and replace them with opportunity.
Because it is a permanent endowment, the fund will continue to support local youth not just today, but for generations to come, helping build a stronger workforce and a stronger community in Russell County.
Community members are invited to be part of this lasting impact. Tax-deductible gifts can be made at any time by mailing a check to RCACF, PO Box 172, Russell, KS 67665, or by donating online at rcacf.org. The foundation also accepts gifts of stock, grain, livestock, and IRA distributions.
Donors may choose to include the fund in their estate plans, creating a legacy that will open doors for young people for years to come. For more information or to contribute, please contact RCACF Director Angie Muller at 785.445.3611.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is pleased to announce the awarding of 112 scholarships totaling $708,490 to students across the region.
These scholarships represent more than financial assistance; they reflect a meaningful investment in the future of our communities. As the cost of higher education continues to rise, the need for scholarship support grows accordingly. Through the generosity and foresight of donors who believe in the potential of local students, RCACF proudly administers thirteen scholarship funds dedicated to helping students pursue their educational goals.
The Sean Paul Banks Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School who are involved in sports their senior year and maintain high academic standards. The recipients of $650 scholarships are Madison Wieger and Trey Zorn.
The Adolph Boehler Student Aid Fund is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School. Alex Krug, Walker Middleton and Ian Strobel received $1,000 scholarships.
The Doran and Bina Dole Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School. Cambrea Solze received a renewable $2,500 scholarship (total $10,000). Jarod Ford received a $2,500 scholarship.
The Kenneth V. Dumler Memorial Aid Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School. Taryn Batt and Xzephren Donner received $1,100 scholarships.
The Elaine Hilger Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School with an interest in music or a career in the medical field. Jaelyn Keener received a $1,000 scholarship. Daryss Barrera and Norah Dreiling received $500 scholarships.
The Gerald W. Stoppel Academic Scholarship is for students graduating or alumni of Russell Jr/Sr High School. Recipients of $1,425 awards are Dominick Hernandez, Alex Krug, Jaden Ney, and Annika Nichols.
The Joshua Scholarship is for students up to age 30 who are graduates from a high school in Russell County. This scholarship is a permanent endowment of several million dollars created by Dr. Starr F. Schlobohm, who desired to share his success in the oil and gas business with the Russell County area. Annual gifts from his education trust will help the scholarship fund grow to significant levels. A percentage of the fund is allocated annually to scholarships. Students receiving $15,000 scholarships are Laurel Beckman, Angelina Bonaccorso, Chesney Cunningham, Kierra Eck, Sophia Guiterrez, Dominick Hernandez, Kimberly Lopez Lemus, Kelvie Reeves, Mason Rohr, and McKaleigh Rourke. Students receiving $10,000 scholarships are Daryss Barrera, Taryn Batt, Aubrey Birney, Jordayn Buhrle, Brynn Coleman, Camille Dortland, Graham Dreiling, Jarod Ford, Lauren Franks, Avalon Garland, Lily Garland, Sara Grieve, Wyatt Harmon, Lily Jones, Charlie Krug, Hannah Krug, Tyler Lampert, Bailey Logsdon, Elizabeth Morgenstern, Jaden Ney, Brooks Nichols, Emerson Nichols, Annika Nichols, Teagen Pfeifer, Madison Sohm, Isabella Somers, Anna Thielen, Sam Thielen, Mya Trevino, Zoey Wissner, Madison Wieger, and Trey Zorn. Students receiving $5,000 scholarships are Camden Backhus, Emma Basgall, Regan Betts, Cole Birky, Anthony Bonaccorso, Hailey Cerecero, Hannah Dapogny, Bailey Dollison, Xzepheren Donner, Norah Dreiling, Max Evans, Cameron Farmer, Jonathon Franks, Hailey Gier, Allison Grieves, Autumn Karst, Emma Karst, Gracie Karst, Jaelyn Keener, Alex Krug, Zachary Martinez, Walker Middleton, Wyatt Middleton, Lauren Myers, Marissa Myers, Jacob Ney, Kayla Noller, Peyton Pfannenstiel, David Pummell, James Pummell, Madison Raybern, Landon Robinson, Aiden Rohr, Pierce Schoenberger, Jacob Sohm, Joshua Sohm, Cambrea Solze, Kamryn Steinle, Ian Strobel, Ayden Wagner, and Jacquelyn Wagner.
The Murphy Memorial Scholarship is for high school seniors living in areas served by the following school districts: USD 299, 392, 399, 407 and 432. Makayla Murphy received a $900 scholarship.
The David Ochs Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School. Norah Dreiling, Jonathon Franks, Jaelyn Keener, Jacob Ney and David Pummell received $1,000 scholarships.
The Pohlman Family Scholarship is for students graduating from USD 407 or USD 399. Recipients of $900 scholarships are Caylie Lyle and Cambrea Solze.
The Paul E. Ruggels Memorial Scholarship is for college students who have graduated from Russell Jr/Sr High School or Natoma High School, with preference to students pursuing a degree in a health care related field. Jaelynne Seier received a $3,000 scholarship.
The RHS Class of 1952 Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School. Recipients of $930 scholarships are Xzepheron Donner, Jaxon Ross, and Mya Trevino.
The Ervin and Denzell Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell Jr/Sr High School who intend to earn a degree in education or agriculture. Sam Thielen received an $800 scholarship.
For more information, please call Angela Muller, Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or visit www.rcacf.org.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is pleased to announce grants totaling $219,096 to support community development, education, health, and quality-of-life initiatives across Russell County.
Funding for this grant cycle was made possible through the generosity of multiple funds, including the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Russell Schools Appleseed Fund, Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, Russell County Disaster Relief Fund, Strategic Partnership for the Advancement of Russell County (SPARC) Fund, Russell County Public Health Fund, and the Myers Family Memorial Fund.
A highlight of this cycle is a $150,000 grant to Russell Development Inc. for the development of a Market Square in downtown Russell. The structure will serve as a central hub for community engagement and commerce, providing flexible, year-round infrastructure for farmers markets, festivals, and public events. This project is part of a broader effort to revitalize the downtown area and enhance community spaces.
Additional grants awarded include:
“These grants reflect our commitment to strengthening Russell County through strategic investments in community projects, education, and public health,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Director. “We are proud to partner with local organizations that are making a meaningful impact in our communities.”
For more information about the Russell County Area Community Foundation or its grant programs, please visit rcacf.org or contact the office at 785-445-3611.
The Bronco Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Bronco Legacy Fund, a permanent endowment held at the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF). The fund is designed to provide a sustainable, long-term source of funding for USD 407 schools.
The Bronco Legacy Fund ensures that future generations of students benefit from consistent financial support. As a permanent endowment, all contributions are invested, with only the earnings distributed back to USD 407 in the form of grants. This approach protects the principal while creating a reliable stream of income to enhance educational opportunities year after year.
“Investing in our schools is investing in the future of Russell County,” said Angie Muller, Executive Director of RCACF. “Through the Bronco Legacy Fund, alumni, families, and community members can leave a lasting legacy that will support students for generations. As the 100th fund established at RCACF, it represents a powerful and meaningful milestone.”
“This fund creates opportunities that go beyond what traditional funding can provide,” said Kelli Johnson, Bronco Foundation. “It will allow the school district to enhance programs, support innovative ideas, and continue providing a high-quality education for students well into the future.”
Gifts to the Bronco Legacy Fund are tax-deductible and can be made at any time by mailing a check to RCACF, PO Box 172, Russell, KS 67665, or by making a credit card donation at rcacf.org. Gifts of stock, grain, livestock, and IRA distributions are accepted. Donors may also choose to include the Bronco Legacy Fund in their estate plans, creating a lasting gift that supports USD 407 for years to come.
Donors are encouraged to view their contributions not only as charitable gifts, but as long-term investments in the strength and success of local education. Funds distributed from the endowment will support USD 407 through grants that enhance programs, provide new opportunities, and address emerging needs within the district. For more information on how to give, please contact the Russell County Area Community Foundation at 785.445.3611.
About the Bronco Foundation
The Russell County USD 407 Enrichment Foundation is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that supports and enhances educational opportunities for USD 407 students. Through charitable giving, it helps advance facilities, expand programs, and strengthen community pride across the district.
Thank you Senator Elaine Bowers for honoring RCACF in the Kansas Senate. We are happy to be partners in improving rural Kansas. You made our day!
We want to help you grow a great community project. The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is accepting applications for spring grants. Online applications are due March 30 at rcacf.org. This year, approximately $50,000 is available for charitable community improvement projects within the Russell County area. This cycle will fund local community projects that meet one or more of the following criteria:
Funding is provided by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, and the Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund.
Nonprofit organizations including government and public entities, educational institutions, and churches are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on March 30. Complete funding criteria and the grant application are available at www.rcacf.org under Grants.
We surprised the Russell Community Theater with a $250 Random Grant of Kindness to celebrate their 40 years of entertaining the community with great plays. Thank you for putting smiles on our faces all these years.
With great enthusiasm, Delta Sisters is pleased to establish an endowment with the Russell County Area Community Foundation to continue their legacy of supporting the community they live in and love.
Delta Sisters was established in 2025 following the disbandment of a long-standing sorority from its international organization. The Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Delta Mu Chapter, has been an active presence in the Russell community for more than 30 years. The chapter hosts an annual charity golf tournament, holds monthly gatherings, and remains committed to staying informed about developments in Russell while welcoming new women to the community.
Delta Sisters is comprised of 21 women representing a wide range of ages and life stages, united by a shared commitment to mutual support and community engagement. The organization seeks to create lasting awareness of its presence and impact within the Russell community. Grants from their permanent endowment will ensure the women’s inspirational legacy continues to make a difference, forever.
Interested in adding to the Delta Sisters Fund? Tax-deductible donations can be made at any time at www.rcacf.org or by contacting the Russell County Area Community Foundation at 785.445.3611.
We’re over here doing the happy dance!
Thanks to our generous donors, RCACF in 2025 had a million-dollar impact in our communities in the form of 332 grants and scholarships. Our endowed assets are now $32 million with nearly 100 named funds doing good in Russell County, forever.
To top it off, we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary and about to make even more things happen!
Would you like to be a part of the legacy in the making? When you leave a gift to the community foundation now or through your will, your life’s work and what you care about most live on forever, creating your legacy.
We can help you create a charitable fund to ensure that the things YOU are passionate about continue to be funded, such as our schools, churches, hospital, parks, and museums. We create funds in all sizes. There are many ways to give, including gifts of stock, grain, property or farmland, business holdings and more. A solution can be tailored to best fit your needs.
If you’d like to talk about your options, contact Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director, at 785.445.3611 or stop by our office at 507 N. Main Russell. Visit us on the web at rcacf.org
RCACF’s mission is to fund the good. As an affiliate of Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (501c3), we join a collective of area community foundations aimed at increasing philanthropic giving in rural Kansas.
