The University of Kansas School of Business highlighted the success of RCACF’s $100,000 SPARC grant to Russell Regional Hospital to retain dental services in Russell County. We love it when community organizations come together to do good. Thank you, KU, for the shoutout and for your support in helping rural Kansas thrive.
The latest edition of Northwest Kansas Today magazine is stellar and tells the story how community foundations are offering residents an opportunity to help charities today and leave a legacy for tomorrow. Read about the Dean and Betty (Balloun) Boxberger Family Fund, our $100,000 grant to Russell Regional Hospital to retain local dental services, RCACF’s amazing scholarship program, and our cooperation with Russell USD 407 to make Russell Jr/Sr High School a state-of-the-art welding and CTE (career and technical education) center. Thank you, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, for the shout out and for partnering with community foundations in Northwest Kansas to make rural communities a great place to live.
| November is Match Month at the Russell County Area Community Foundation. We have the bold goal to raise $70,000 to build up our community grant-making fund. During November, every dollar donated to our Fund for a Better Russell County Area will be matched by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Patterson Family Foundation*. The Fund for a Better Russell County Area is the unrestricted community grant fund that supports projects and programs focused on improving the quality of life in the Russell County area. Donations are tax-deductible and monies are used to support local charitable needs. Our goal is to raise $70,000. Matched, that means $240,000 to support our hometowns. It’s easy to give. There are several ways to give including cash, credit card, stock, grain, livestock and IRA disbursement. The impact of these dollars will affect generations to come. Checks can be made to RCACF and mailed to Russell County Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 172, Russell, KS 67665. If you have questions, contact Angie Muller at [email protected] or 785-445-3611. Donations must be received by Nov 30 to qualify for the match. *For every $1 donated, $2 is matched by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation up to $50,000 and $1 is matched by the Patterson Family Foundation up to $70,000. |
| Ensure that the things that matter most continue in the Russell County Area. Give to Match Month. Let’s grow! |
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) has awarded $79,195 in grants
to support a broad range of community projects, including the arts, education, recreation
and historical preservation.
“This grant season highlights the important role the foundation serves in helping Russell
County area communities thrive. To help us increase grant-making in future cycles, we
encourage people to give to our ongoing November Match Month campaign, where
donations are matched up to 300% and monies stay local to support the Russell County
area,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Director.
Funds available through RCACF are the result of generous donors and regional funders
since establishment of the foundation in 2001. Today the foundation holds $26 million in
endowments used to fund scholarship and community projects. Grant applications
typically span projects involving community revitalization, school education, cultural arts,
economic development, and quality of life.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation is pleased to award these grants to
organizations that benefit the Russell County area. Funding comes from the Kansas Health
Foundation Children’s Fund, Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund, and Dane G.
Hansen Foundation.
Crosspoint Church
Daycare Project, $5,000
Deines Cultural Center
ADA Front Door, $1,000
Lucas Public Library
Programming Support, $1,000
Russell Arts Council
Dream Theatre Marquee, $15,000
Russell County Historical Society
South Side Little Town Expansion, $8,595
Russell Community Thanksgiving
Community Celebration, $500
Russell Recreation Commission
Infield Renovation, $44,600
USD 407
3D Printer, $3,500
Applications for the next grant season open February 1 and close March 30. For more
information, contact Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or
[email protected]
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF), an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, is celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Russell Area Youth Activities Fund. The fund was founded by John and Michelle Farmer on September 30, 2009 to help Russell area youth with a financial need participate in extracurricular activities, such sports, performing arts, visual arts, and literacy programs.
Over the years, the fund has helped hundreds of students afford athletic equipment, participation fees, sports uniforms, music, art and acting lessons as well as instrument rentals, camp fees and clinics. Primary consideration is given to pre-teen age children. Students with a financial need can apply for a grant at rcacf.org.
“The Russell Area Youth Activities Fund ensures everyone has a place on the team or in the school band. The fund has helped a generation of kids explore athletics and the arts, opening the door to new friendships and the thrill of learning something new. We are thankful to John and Michelle for doing good in the community that they love,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Director.
When you leave a gift to the community foundation, your life’s work and what you care about most live on forever, creating your legacy. The Russell County Area Community Foundation was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents in the Russell County area by encouraging philanthropy and providing a vehicle for donors to support their charitable interests.
We help donors create funds of all sizes directed at your favorite charitable purposes. Gifts to the community foundation are tax-deductible. If you would like to contribute to Russell Area Youth Activities Fund or create a fund of your own, please contact Angie Muller, RCACF Director, at 785-445-3611 or visit www.rcacf.org.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is pleased to honor Russell County News reporter and photographer Albert Lin on the thirtieth anniversary of his journalism career in the Russell County area. RCACF Vice Chairman, John Farmer, IV, recently presented Albert with a leather portfolio to commemorate this milestone.
Albert has spent his career writing stories about the Russell County area and its people. In doing so, he’s brought us closer together in community and compassion for each other and made us realize that living in Russell County is special. The community foundation especially appreciates everything Albert has done to encourage philanthropic giving and show how giving back to others always makes a difference.
Thank you, Albert! You are one of the things we love about the Russell County area.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF), an affiliate of the Greater
Northwest Kansas Community Foundation, is pleased to announce the establishment of
the Dean and Betty (Balloun) Boxberger Family Fund.
Honoring the legacy roots of Dean and Betty (Balloun) Boxberger, their family have
established a new charitable fund to benefit the Russell County area. Dean and Betty were
both born in Russell. After a 7-week courtship, they were united in marriage on May 16,
1954, in St. John Lutheran Church. From this union, they were blessed with five sons;
Matthew, Mark, Thomas, Timothy and Scott.
Dean and Betty shared 69 years of married life together. They loved the land, farmed and
ranched. Together, they were involved in church, 4-H, and volunteering, setting an example
for their sons of love of community and service. Grants from the fund will ensure that Dean
and Betty’s faithful stewardship continues forever to support their favorite charitable
causes in Russell County and beyond.
“The community foundation’s mission is to help families like the Boxbergers leave
charitable legacies. Their family has lived in Russell County for generations, doing good in
the community they love. This charitable donor advised fund will ensure that the causes
Dean and Betty loved the most will continue to be supported,” said Angie Muller, RCACF
Director.
When you leave a gift to the community foundation, your life’s work and what you care
about most live on forever, creating your legacy. The Russell County Area Community
Foundation was founded in 2001 and is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all
residents in the Russell County area by encouraging philanthropy and providing a vehicle
for donors to support their charitable interests.
We help donors create funds of all sizes directed at your favorite charitable purposes. Gifts
to the community foundation are tax-deductible. If you would like to contribute to the Dean
and Betty (Balloun) Boxberger Family Fund or create a fund of your own, please contact
Angie Muller, RCACF Director, at 785-445-3611 or visit www.rcacf.org.
RCACF partnered with USD 407 to bring Dave Burgess, author of Teach Like a Pirate, as the key note speaker for teacher in-service. He brought new ideas for engaging students in learning and taught staff innovative teaching methods.
“Staff left feeling like they had a brand new tool box to start out the year. I attended several inservice sessions to visit with teachers, and I heard several staff talking about the presentation and what they were going to do with what they were taught. This presentation truly started a buzz amongst staff and got them thinking about what they can do differently in their classrooms,” said Katrina Woelk.
The Russell County Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for fall grants, and we want to help you launch a great community project. Online applications are due September 30. This year, $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 for the fall grant cycle 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 September 30. Complete funding criteria and the grant application are available at www.rcacf.org under Grants.
The Russell Community Impact Award Committee is pleased to announce Kristen Windscheffel as the June 2024 recipient of the Russell Community Impact Award, recognized posthumously.
This esteemed award celebrates individuals, businesses or organizations in Russell whose selfless efforts have made a tangible, measurable impact on the community.
Kristen Windscheffel’s contributions to Russell and the surrounding communities were immense and enduring. Known for her welcoming nature, she was always the first to embrace newcomers, offer positive remarks and encourage community service and involvement. Her dedication as a wife and mother were paralleled by her commitment to various civic groups, boards and her career in Russell. She was a forward thinker and an innovator, never hesitating to assist someone or a service group in need.
Windscheffel’s legacy as a collaborator, teammate, friend, advocate and counselor is only a fraction of her impact. The Russell community is far greater for her presence and involvement. Kristen’s husband Jake and daughter Journey accepted the award on her behalf.
In Kristen’s honor, Jake and Journey selected the Russell County Area Community Foundation to receive a $250 donation. Mayor Jim Cross and KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio Marketing Representative Erik Stone presented Jake with a $250 check at the July 16 Russell City Council meeting.
Nominations for the July 2024 Russell Community Impact Award are now open. The community is encouraged to nominate deserving individuals, businesses or organizations demonstrating dedication and commitment to making a tangible impact on Russell. By participating in this initiative, you continue to honor and recognize those contributing to the community’s growth and well-being.
Nominations can be submitted online at www.russellcity.org or in person at the City Building or KRSL/KZRS Russell Radio. For more information about the Russell Community Impact Award, please get in touch with Jon Quinday at 785-483-6311.
(Information courtesy City of Russell.)
