The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) has awarded $92,980 in grants to support a broad range of community projects, including the childcare, housing, youth, the arts, and libraries.

“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 tripled in impact to support the Russell County area. This is thanks to a generous match by the Patterson Family Foundation and Dane G. Hansen Foundation for total gifts up to $100,000 made to the Fund for a Better 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 $30 million in endowments used to fund scholarship and community projects to better Russell County and beyond. Grant applications typically span projects involving community revitalization, school education, cultural arts, economic development, and quality of life.

RCACF is pleased to award these grants to organizations that benefit the Russell County area. Funding comes from the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, Russell County Disaster Relief Fund, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, and Strategic Partnership for the Advancement of Russell County (SPARC) Fund. A grant was also made through the generosity of the Fred and Joan Weigel Fund.

City of Russell

Fire Department Drone Project, $5,000

Crosspoint Church/Russell County Childcare Coalition

Daycare Center, $26,370

Kansas Big Brothers, Big Sisters

Russell County Youth Mentoring, $1,000

Lucas Public Library

Programming Support, $1,000

Post Rock Family Services

Feeding the Future Summer Lunch Program, $2,000

Russell Development Incorporated

Appliances for Brickstone Lofts, $50,000

Russell Arts Council

AED Device for Dream Theatre, $2,200

Russell County Economic Development and CVB

Support for Russell County Events, $5,000

USD 407

National Honor Society Materials, $410 (courtesy Fred and Joan Weigel Fund)

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]

Welcome Back Broncos! We hope you will enjoy visiting your old stomping grounds and rekindle memories with classmates, teachers and friends. While you are celebrating, will you also consider giving back to the community to support a new generation of Broncos?

You can make a big difference by giving a tax-deductible gift at the community foundation to support one of our amazing education funds. Go to rcacf.org and click on the Donate Now button to make an easy credit card donation. Use the search tab to find a fund to support.

Funds that give directly to the school include the Bronco Foundation Fund, Bronco Vocational Training Fund, Russell Schools Appleseed Fund, the Bill Gilpin Fund for Russell Youth Activities, the Kay Shank Fund, the Roy Miller Legacy Fund, Nancy G. Holland Fund for the Arts, the Russell Area Youth Activities Fund, and many more.

RCACF can also help you create your own charitable fund that boosts education for the Broncos. Create a fund in honor of your class, in memory of a teacher, or to support your favorite thing about being a Bronco, like the arts, athletics, or music. Call RCACF Executive Director Angie Muller at 785.445.3611 to get started.

Honoring the legacy of Roy Clark Miller, his family established a charitable fund in his memory to benefit the Russell County area. Roy was born in Gove County, Kansas and attended Fort Hays State University, but his time was cut short when he joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed in Japan. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Roy attended Ottawa University where he received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics. Later he attended Emporia State University and earned his master’s degree in mathematics.

In 1965, Roy and his family moved to Russell where he began a long and inspiring career teaching math to students at Russell High School. He loved mathematics and enjoyed teaching his students how to advance their math skills with his famous blackboard math exercises. Roy worked for USD 407 for 30 years before retiring in 1994. He inspired generations of students to pursue their dreams.

Roy’s passion for teaching resulted in the Roy Miller Legacy Fund which will provide annual income to USD 407 Russell Jr/Sr High School for mathematics, computer science and science. Projects may include materials, equipment, field trips, competitions and other teacher-approved uses that enhance the curriculum. Grants from this fund will ensure Roy’s inspirational legacy continues to make a difference, forever.

Interested in adding to the Roy Miller Legacy Fund? Tax-deductible donations can be made at any time with a credit card at www.rcacf.org or by contacting the Russell County Area Community Foundation at 785.445.3611.

It’s Feel Good Friday, and today we have a lot to feel good about. Listen to us talk with USD 407’s Katrina Woelk on KRSL radio about the $700,000+ grant from the State of Kansas for new student computers. It is a tremendous investment in rural education and RCACF is proud to be the community partner.

www.krsl.com

Agrilead, Inc of Russell, KS has established the YIELD Fund for Russell Area Youth Engagement. YIELD stands for Youth Investment, Engagement and Local Discovery. This permanent endowment promotes long-term workforce development with a focus on encouraging high school students to work in Russell County after graduation.

The endowment is a win-win for workforce development. The fund provides grants to local organizations so students can participate in structured work experience like internships and apprenticeships. Meanwhile, businesses and other organizations identify, recruit and begin to develop future employees.

Agrilead was established in 2005 and relocated to Russell in 2008 with focus upon innovation and manufacturing of specialty agricultural products. The Ochampaugh family, as founders and primary shareholders of Agrilead, are passionate about supporting the Russell area. Jeff is a former RCACF board member and along with his wife Sandy, and son Andrew and his wife Ally, are all actively involved within the community and grateful for RCACF and all its generous contributors over the past 25 years to help make Russell a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

Area businesses, local public entities, charitable organizations, schools and other government agencies are encouraged to apply as job hosts. They must be committed to developing a 100 to 200-hour productive work experience for high school students that encourages strong work ethics.

Please give to the YIELD fund so it can fund many internships. 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.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Russell Boy Scouts Fund thanks to the generosity of the Katherine Hildebrand estate. The endowment provides a permanent source of income to support local scouting.

“When you leave a gift to the community foundation through your will, your life’s work and what you care about most live on forever, creating your legacy. We are excited that Katherine’s gift will leave Russell County better and provide countless opportunities for area boys to participate in scouting,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director.

Giving through your will is easy and you don’t have to be wealthy to do it. Whether you nest egg is large or small, your gift will ensure the good work of charitable organizations in your name (or anonymously). Simply name the community foundation in your will or trust for a modest amount, designate the foundation as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, give a gift of a house, property or farmland, stocks or business holdings, there are many options, that can be tailored best to fit your needs.

Would you like to give to the Russell Boy Scouts 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.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) awarded $63,660 in grants to organizations that benefit the Russell County area, including support for wildfire disaster prevention, education, the county fair, summer lunch program, youth job training, and public health. Funding comes from the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Russell Schools Appleseed Fund, Helen Hampl Student Aid Fund, and Russell County Disaster Relief Fund.

Gorham Fire District #1,

Wildland/Grass Firefighting Turnout Gear, $16,812

K-State Research and Extension Midway District

Summer Youth Impact Enhancement Intern, $1,250

Ogallala Commons

Russell Youth Engagement and Career Development, $8,000

Post Rock Family Services

Feeding the Future Summer Lunch Program, $2,000 with additional $500 grant from Myers Family Memorial Fund (Marty Myers – Myers Furniture) and $500 from Franc E. Wagner Fund

Russell County Free Fair

Livestock Housing Improvements and Sound System, $7,100 with additional $500 grant from Myers Family Memorial Fund (Marty Myers- Myers Furniture)

Russell County USD 407 Enrichment Foundation

RJSHS Basketball Goal Replacement, $5,000

Smoky Hills Public Television

Studio Improvements, $2,500

USD 399

Woodshop Duster Collector, $2,500

USD 407

Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano, $8,000

Uncommon Leadership Program, $3,600

Middle School Math Learning Materials, $398

West Central Kansas Hospital Association (Russell Regional Hospital)

Therapy Pool, $5,000

Applications for the next grant season open August 1 and close September 30. For more information, contact Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or [email protected].

Honoring the legacy roots of the Davis Family, Matt and Mallory have established a Fund for the Future to benefit the Russell County area. After serving on the board of directors of Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) for many years, Mallory saw firsthand the impact the community foundation has in our communities.

Because of her experience helping to fund local projects from endowments created by other generous community members, Mallory felt compelled to establish her own fund to improve the quality of life in Russell County for years to come.

Mallory moved to Russell in 2008 and is now proud to call Russell home. She married her husband Matt, a Russell native, two years later and together they work for the family-owned business and make Russell their home with daughters Emma and Alexis.

“I feel that everyone is able to make an impact in their communities whether it be financially or through the gift of your time and talents,” says Mallory. She has served on the West Central Kansas Association Board for Russell Regional Hospital, the Russell Housing Authority Board, Chairperson of RCACF, currently Treasurer of Trinity United Methodist Church, and volunteers to coach youth sports through Russell Rec Commission. Matt and Mallory encourage their daughters to volunteer too. During the summer, Emma volunteers at Trinity Community Thrift Store and Alexis at the Russell Public Library. “Establishing this Fund for the Future is our way of giving back for years to come,” says Mallory.

For many of us, like the Davis family, there is a compelling need to make a difference – to leave a lasting impact on the people most dear to us and the world in which we live. Funds for the Future are planned gifts funded from your estate, and they allow your family’s name and charitable aspirations to live forever – creating a stable, enduring legacy to benefit future generations as you specify. It’s simple and anyone can do it, whether your nest egg is large or small. Simply name RCACF in your will or trust or designate us as a beneficiary of an insurance policy, stock, farmland, property or business holdings. We can tailor options to best fit your needs, contact us at 785.445.3611 or [email protected].

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce a new fund that will support the needs of area children – the Kiwanis Legacy Fund.

The Kiwanis Legacy Fund supports the impactful projects of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club in the Russell area, fostering positive change and enhancing the well-being of children and local residents. The club supports school supply initiatives, Meals on Wheels, bread for the Russell Food Pantry, local scouting, Aktion club in collaboration with Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas (DSNWK), and the much-loved annual Jim Thoman Halloween Parade and Community Easter Egg Hunt.

“The Kiwanis Legacy Fund will continue the caring legacy of Kiwanians locally for generations to come. For decades, Russell has enjoyed a very strong Kiwanis presence in our community. This fund recognizes the past leadership of many and looks forward to a strong future of continuing concern for others, especially children in need. The Sunrise Kiwanis Club is looking for donations to build up their endowment so the good can be multiplied,” said Angie Muller, Executive Director of RCACF.

The Sunrise Kiwanis Club was chartered on January 19, 1984 and has 18 members. Grants from this fund will support people in need in the Russell County area, ensuring that the Kiwanis caring legacy continues to make a difference, forever.

Interested in adding to the Kiwanis Legacy 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

Honoring the legacy roots of Nancy G Holland, the community foundation is proud to announce a new charitable endowment to benefit students at Russell Jr./Sr. High School. The Nancy G. Holland Fund for the Arts will provide annual income to USD 407 so students may participate and enjoy visual arts, music and other arts-related classes and field trips. This legacy gift will affect generations of current and future students, promoting a greater appreciation of the arts.

Nancy is a life-long philanthropist whose deep love of the Russell community has greatly transformed it for the better. Her new fund joins four other permanent endowments Nancy has created over the past 20-years to support the hospital and the arts, including the Michael S. and Nancy G. Holland Fund, the Michael S. Holland Fund for Russell Regional Hospital, and The Friends of the Deines Cultural Center Emma M. Gaines Memorial Fund. Earlier last year, Nancy established the Bronco Vocational Training Fund to help area students graduate career ready in fields such as welding, media, construction science, agriculture and healthcare.

“The purpose of the community foundation it to help donors like Nancy leave a legacy. We are delighted to help Nancy further her caring concern for the Russell community, especially youth. Thanks to her generosity, generations of Russell area students will know the happiness that comes from making art, performing music and learning trades that can be transformed into prosperous careers,” said Angela Muller, RCACF Executive Director.

Grants from these funds will ensure that Nancy’s faithful stewardship continues forever to support her favorite charitable causes in Russell County. Anyone can add to the funds to expand their reach. Tax-deductible donations can be made at www.rcacf.org or by contacting the Russell County Area Community Foundation at 785.445.3611.