The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) awarded $35,800 in fall grants to support a broad range of community projects, including the arts, education and social services.

“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 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 more than $20-million in endowments used to fund scholarship and community projects. Grant applications typically span projects involving community revitalization, school education, cultural arts, economic development, quality of life, and others.

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 and Dane G. Hansen Foundation.

o  Russell Arts Council, Dream Theater Sound System, $10,000

o  Russell Community Theater, Lighting System Improvements, $5,000

o  Switchgrass Art Collaborative, Coffee Stand, $9,800

o  City of Dorrance, Park Improvements, $5,000

o  USD 407, Elementary School Percussion for Peers, $2,500 and Middle School Science Museum, $2,000

o  Developmental Services Northwest Kansas, Weighing Wonders, $1,500

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]

Do you love Russell County? Make your mark on the Russell County area now and far into the future by giving to Match Month. During November, your tax-deductible donation will be matched 300%. $70,000 in donations will equal $240,000 for the benefit of the Russell County area. 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. All donations go towards building the Fund for a better Russell County endowment fund and general operations.

Help us meet our goal of $70,000. We accept gifts of cash, stock, grain, livestock or IRA disbursements. Mail your gift to RCACF, PO Box 172, Russell, KS 67665 or donate online with a credit card. Gifts must be received in November for the match.

Our local board of directors uses the Fund for a Better Russell County area to make grants and respond to emerging needs in the area, including churches, charitable organizations, the arts, hospital, government entities and schools.

Thank you for supporting Russell County and helping the community foundation preserve our rural way of life.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for fall grants. Online applications are due Saturday, September 30. This year, $35,000 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:

• Programs and projects that address education, health care, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture, and community beautification.
• Projects that improve the health and well-being of children living in the Russell County area.

Funding for the fall grant cycle is provided by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund and the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s 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 County Area Community Foundation is pleased to announce the George and Cooper Gier 4-H Memorial Grant Fund that provides support for youth involved in Russell County 4-H to participate in special 4-H events, such as 4-H camps or state-wide classes. Grants will be made to the Kansas State University Extension Office for this purpose. 

George and Cooper Gier, of Russell, Kansas, died in a tragic car accident on February 11, 2022, in rural Russell County. George was a lifelong 4-H member and his son Cooper participated in Fossil Creek 4-H. 

“The community foundation is honored to further the legacy of George and Cooper and help local 4-Hers achieve their dream to Make the Best Better,” said Angie Muller, RCACF Director. “Through the generosity of this fund, Russell County 4-Hers will enjoy unique educational and enrichment opportunities.”

Applications will be reviewed periodically. Upon approval of the request, funds will take 10-14 days for processing and will go directly to the activity provider. To apply, please go to www.rcacf.org and click under the grants tab. Contact Angie Muller at 785-445- 3611 or [email protected] with any questions.

RCACF announces scholarship recipients 

This year the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is pleased to announce 103 scholarships totaling $526,855 awarded through the Foundation to area students.

Every year, the need for scholarships is greater than the available resources. As tuition continues to rise, support of scholarships becomes even more important. RCACF is pleased to manage 12 scholarship funds. These scholarships were established by donors who believe in the youth of our area and want to support their pursuit of higher education.

The Sean Paul Banks Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School who are involved in sports their senior year and maintain high academic standards. The recipients of $450 scholarships are Jordayn Buhrle and Lauren Franks.

The Adolph Boehler Student Aid Fund is for students graduating from Russell High School. Emily Cole and Lauren Franks received $1,200 scholarships.

The Doran and Bina Dole Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Hannah Dapogny received a renewable $2,500 scholarship. Jaelynne Seier received a $2,500 scholarship.

The Kenneth V. Dumler Memorial Aid Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Brayden Strobel received a $925 scholarship.

The Elaine Hilger Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School with an interest in music or a career in the medical field. Sydney Krauss received a $1,000 scholarship.

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. Matthew Buhrle, Maci Clark, Braydon Gibson, Darian Klee, Kirsten Kyger, Jace Peerman, Delainey Pospichal, Aniya Stierlen, LaAries Winzerling and Mackenzie Zimmerman received $10,000 scholarships. Students receiving $8,500 scholarships are Macie Banks, Cheyenne Blundon, Alexia Charbonneau, Abigail Cross, Bailey Dollison, Jordynn Guenot, Halle Hall, Kelly Lopez, Nick Miller, Abigail Myers, Lauren Myers, Renee Nichol, Aidan Rohr, Hunter Throop, and Jesse Whitmer. Recipients of $5,000 scholarships are Mileah Backhus, Mason Berens, Ryan Birky, Cole Birky, Isabella Boxberger, Jordayn Buhrle, Emily Cole, Jackson Cross, Chesney Cunningham, Hannah Dapogny, Camille Dortland, Tiffany Dortland, Caleigh Evans, Cameron Farmer, Kayla Farmer, Brittan Fritschen, Avalon Garland, Gracie Gray, Cameron Hendryx, Lacy Herndon, Sydney Krauss, Katherine Krauss, Charlie Krug, Tyler Lampert, Kyle Lampert, Aubrey Larson, Grace Lumpkins, Gillian Lynch, Amiah Meiss, Wyatt Middleton, Rylee Miller, Shelby Ney, Jacob Ney, Emerson Nichols, Kayla Noller, Whitney Nuss, Megan Peeler, Caden Pfeiffer, Kalli Pfeiffer, Rhett Pospichal, Chase Prester, Samamtha Ptacek, David Pummell, Christopher Pummell, Rylan Reeves, Andrew Roth, Janae Schulte, Jaelynne Seier, Jacob Sohm, Joshua Sohm, Skylar Steinle, Trevor Steinle, Brayden Strobel, Mackenzie Thomas and Alayna Van Der Wege. Students receiving $1,250 scholarships are Lauren Franks and Gracie Karst.

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. Students receiving $365 scholarships are Taylor Fallis and Raylyn Paget.

The David Ochs Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Mason Berens, Jacob Ney and David Pummell received $1,200 scholarships.

The Pohlman Family Scholarship is for students graduating from USD 407 or USD 399. Recipients of $600 scholarships are Macie Banks and Raylyn Paget.

The Paul E. Ruggels Memorial Scholarship is for college students who have graduated from Russell High School or Natoma High School, with preference to students pursuing a degree in a health care related field. Isabella Boxberger and Jacob Sohm received $900 scholarships.

The Gerald W. Stoppel Academic Scholarship Fund is for students graduating from Russell High School or a former graduate of Russell High School. Recipients of $1,200 scholarships are Emily Cole, Gracie Karst and Kirsten Kyger.

The Ervin and Denzell Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School who intend to earn a degree in education or agriculture. Gracie Gray received a $700 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) awarded $205,155 in grants to organizations that benefit the Russell County area, including support for parks, education, and housing. Funding comes from the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Fund for a Better Russell County Area, Russell School Appleseed Fund, Helen Hampl Student Aid Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund and Myers Family Memorial Fund – Myers Furniture.

Funds available through RCACF are available as result of generous donors and regional funders since establishment of the foundation in 2001. Today the foundation holds more than $20 million in endowments used to fund scholarship and community projects. Grant applications typically span projects involving community revitalization, school education, cultural arts, economic development, quality of life, and others.

“This spring, the foundation chose to invest in projects throughout Russell County that promote the arts, park development and student education, particularly career-path education and internship programs. We are also excited to invest in the innovative Holland Hotel Apartments that will provide residential units to alleviate local housing shortages and help revitalize Russell’s Downtown,” said Angie Muller, Director, RCACF.

Grants were awarded to the following:

City of Bunker Hill, $7,060

Park Modernization

K-State Research and Extension Midway District, $2,500

4-H Shooting Sports Program

Lovegrass Music Festival, $1,000

Summer Concert

Lucas Arts & Humanities Council, $5,000

Gallery and Wall Exhibit Display

Lucas Public Library, $470

Learning Together Language Group

** Also supported by Myers Family Memorial Fund, Myers Furniture $407

Ogallala Commons Inc, $6,600

Russell Co Youth Engagement & Career Development

Russell Arts Council, $10,000

Ad Astra Music Festival

Russell Development Inc, $150,000

Holland Hotel Apartments Housing

Smoky Hill Public Television, $1,000

Literacy for Russell County

USD 399, $7,500

Natoma High School Woodshop Equipment

USD 407, $2,600

Simpson Decodable Library

USD 407, $10,000

Career Path to Health Care Program

USD 407, $1,100

Guitar Program

USD 407, $325

Play-based Learning Program

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]

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for spring grants. Online applications are due Thursday, March 30. This year, more than $25,000 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:

• Programs and projects that address education, health care, community social services and security, conservation and environment, arts and culture, and community beautification.
• Projects that improve the health and well-being of children living in the Russell County area.
• Programs and projects that aid students enrolled in preschool and grade school in Russell County who need assistance in order to obtain their education.
• Programs and projects which directly benefit the students of the Russell schools and which would not be considered a normal or necessary budget item for basic education.
• Programs that benefit public health and safety.

Funding for the spring grant cycle is provided by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund, the Kansas Health Foundation, the Helen A. Hampl Student Aid Fund, the Russell Schools Apple Seed Fund, and the Russell Area 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.

Is your organization looking for grants? Join us for the Essential Grant Writing Skills Workshop on February 13 from 9 am until 11 am at Fossil Creek Hotel, Russell. This workshop will give you general grant writing tips, insight on what reviewers look for, some reasons why grants might not get funded, and ideas on where you can find sources of funding. You will get expert advice from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation and Russell County Area Community Foundation. The workshop is FREE, but reserve your spot by contacting Angie Muller, RCACF Director, at 785-445-3611 or email [email protected].

Russell County area high school seniors and students up to age 30 interested in higher education are encouraged to apply for scholarships at the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) by Feb 15, 2023. More than $500,000 in scholarship are available to students interested in attending technical and trade schools, junior colleges, four-year universities and graduate school.

Scholarships will be awarded from the Sean Paul Banks Memorial Scholarship, the Adolph Boehler Student Aid Fund, the Doran and Bina Dole Scholarship, the Kenneth V. Dumler Memorial Aid Scholarship, the Elaine Hilger Scholarship, the Joshua Scholarship, the Murphy Memorial Scholarship, the David Ochs Memorial Scholarship, the Pohlman Family Scholarship, the Paul E. Ruggels Memorial Scholarship, the Gerald W. Stoppel Academic Scholarship, and the Ervin and Denzell Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship. Take the eligibility quiz at www.rcacf.org to see what scholarships you qualify for then apply online by Feb 15.

For more information, contact Carol Sloper, Scholarship Coordinator, at 785-734-2406 or Angela Muller, RCACF Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or [email protected].