The Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) awarded $38,400 in fall grants after receiving a record number of applications totaling over $200,000 representing a broad range of community projects.

“The foundation board is pleased with the fall grant applications involving more community groups and volunteers working together on new projects than ever before” said Mallory Davis, RCACF chairperson.

In the competitive environment with limited funds available to grant, the community foundation prioritizes grants based on three criteria: 1. The project should have strong community collaboration with multiple groups and volunteers working together; 2. The project should have a significant impact on the Russell County area; and 3. The project is supported with multiple sources of funding, such as grants and fundraisers.

“The community foundation board favors projects where the applicant has already invested significantly in achieving their goal,” said Chasen Katz, board Secretary-Treasurer. “Sometimes we see applications where RCACF is listed as the only source of funding and those applications score lower than projects where substantial funding already exists through the applicant’s own fund-raising efforts or volunteer in-kind contributions” Katz explained. “RCACF prefers not to be the sole source of funding for any project.”

Requests from tax-supported organizations for assistance with projects that are generally considered operational or could be budgeted as routine maintenance also score lower in the process.

“This fall we received many big grant applications in the early stages of project planning,” said board member Kristen Windscheffel. “As result, an emerging challenge for our Russell County area community is working together on a broader platform of community planning to establish priority and coordination of big projects for optimized community investment.”

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.

“Working through grant applications each year is a humbling responsibility to assure wise investment of grant funds based on the establishing documents and intentions of generous foundation donors,” said board member Jeff Ochampaugh. “Our community can do great things working together and the community foundation along with all the projects past, present, and future are great examples of that” he said.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is pleased to award these grants to organizations that benefit the Russell County area, including support for the parks, education, literacy, and seniors. Funding comes from the Kansas Health Foundation Children’s Fund, Dane G. Hansen Foundation, and the Kansas Health Foundation Public Health Fund.

The Arc of the Central Plains, $7,500

Russell Play Park

Black Gold Pheasants Forever, $3,000

Youth Trap Team

Bunker Hill Historical Society, $1,200

Museum ADA-compliant Entry Ramp

Russell Arts Council, $2,000

Dream Theater Ice Machine

Russell Development Inc, $5,200

Historic Park Picnic Tables

Russell Housing Authority, $10,000

Lincoln Manor Elevator

Russell Public Library, $2,000

Young Adult Area

USD 407, $7,500

Baseball Field Improvements Applications for the next grant season open February 1 and close March 30. The community foundation will hold a free grant writing workshop on February 13. For more information, contact Angie Muller, RCACF Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or [email protected]

We have the bold goal in November to raise $50,000 to strengthen the Fund for a Better Russell County area, our community’s charitable savings account that awards grants for local parks, recreation, schools, the arts, public health, economic development and more. Will you please help? Your gift is matched 200%. During November, every $1 donated to the Fund for a Better Russell County Area will be matched with $2 by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation ($1 for the Fund for a Better Russell County Area and $1 for our operations). Give online at www.rcacf.org or send a check payable to RCACF, PO Box 172, Russell, KS 67665. We also accept stock, IRA disbursements, grain and other assets.

In the past, RCACF had to decline grants because the need outweighed the funds. Won’t you help? Your gift will help RCACF make more grants in Russell County to support the causes that matter most to you.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is accepting applications for fall grants. Online applications are due Friday, September 30 (note new deadline). This year, more than $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:

• 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 fall 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 September 30. Complete funding criteria and the grant application are available at www.rcacf.org under Grants.

RCACF is excited to provide a grant to support the inaugural class of Russell County Leadership, an intense leadership program aimed at developing emerging business and community leaders in the Russell County Area. Seminars will begin in August and meet monthly to learn more about topics relevant to Russell County such as declining population, water sourcing challenges, lack of adequate childcare facilities, declining enrollment, and housing shortages. Congratulations to these emerging leaders:

– Becky Anschutz – City of Russell, Dispatcher

– Lacie Austin – Lucas Area Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director

– Kelli Johnson – Gudenkauf & Malone, LLC., CPA

– Gage Nichols – Agrilead, Inc., Manager of Research & Development

– Chandler Reich-Sellens – Grassroots Art Center, Executive Director

– Dianna VanBruggen – City of Russell, Water Production Superintendent

– Sarah Vonfledt – Russell Regional Hospital, Social Services Director

– April Webb – LPL, Financial Advisor

This year the Russell County Area Community Foundation (RCACF) is pleased to announce 93 scholarships totaling $443,000 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 11 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 $475 scholarships are Emerson Nichols and Aniya Stierlen. 

The Adolph Boehler Student Aid Fund is for students graduating from Russell High School. Harley Headley and Jesse Whitmer received $1,100 scholarships. The Doran and Bina Dole Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Kirsten Kyger received a renewable $2,500 scholarship. Isabelle Walton received a $2,500 scholarship.

 The Kenneth V. Dumler Memorial Aid Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Logan Keller received a $700 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. Emerson Nichols, Kylee Richardson and Joshua Sohm received $700 scholarships. 

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. Alexia Charbonneau, Maci Clark, Brianna Hammack, Aubrey Larson and Emerson Nichols received $10,000 scholarships. Students receiving $7,500 scholarships are Regan Betts, Matthew Buhrle, Bailey Dollison, Kassidy Hobbs, Tyler Moresco, Renee Nichol, Kaitlyn Nichols, Samantha Ptacek, Chandler Reich-Sellens, and Kylee Richardson. Recipients of $5,000 scholarships are Ryan Birky, Cole Birky, Isabella Boxberger, Lauren Chinski, Tandy Coleman, Abigail Cross, Cheney Cunningham, Koby Decker, Camille Dortland, Tiffany Dortland, Brayden Drake, Caleigh Evans, Brayden Ford, Brittan Fritschen, Avalon Garland, Alaina Gfeller, Jordyn Guenot, Halle Hall, Cameron Hendryx, Kylie Houck, Kyleigh Kasper, Darian Klee, Katherine Krauss, Kirsten Kyger, Breanna LaMonte, Kyle Lampert, Payden Leiker, Samantha Leiker, Brooke Leiker, Grace Lumpkins, Gillian Lynch, Amiah Meis, Rylee Miller, Lauren Myers, Abigail Myers, Shelby Ney, Shannon Ney-Spencer, Kayla Noller, Trayson Northcutt, Whitney Nuss, Samuel Nuss, Samuel Ochs, Megan Peeler, Kalli Pfeiffer, Caden Pfeiffer, Delainey Pospichal, Rhett Pospichal, Lillian Rageth, Rylan Reeves, Emily Ridgley, Aidan Rohr, Emicka Schoemaker, Joshua Sohm, Jacob Sohm, Skylar Steinle, Aniya Stierlen, Mackenzie Thomas, Isabelle Walton, Jacob Windholz, and LaAries Winzerling.

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 $350 scholarship are Haley Fallis and Zachary Rose. 

The David Ochs Memorial Scholarship is for students graduating from Russell High School. Andrew Roth received a $2,785 scholarship. 

The Pohlman Family Scholarship is for students graduating from USD 407 or USD 399. Recipients of $550 scholarships are Gracyn Cotterill and Logan Keller. 

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. Ryan Birky and Tandy Coleman received $900 scholarships.   

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. Abigail Myers received a $690 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 is pleased to announce more than $34,000 in grants from the Russell County Disaster Relief Fund to support impacted areas affected by the windstorm and wildfires our region experienced in December.

• USD 399 received a $22,923 grant to repair water lines and heating for the Paradise gym. The facility will serve as a large meeting place to accommodate workers, supplies, clean up, food service and a centralized communication center. Recovery coordinators are planning for Future Farmers of America (FFA) groups to come to the community to help repair fence lines caused by the fire, with as many as 100 anticipated during spring break in March. The facility is the only location large enough to house and accommodate large groups of volunteers.
•  Russell County Fire District 3 received a $5,000 grant to purchase equipment lost in the wildfire.
• A $5,000 grant was awarded to K-State Research and Extension, Midway Extension District, to pilot a voucher relief program for individuals and families affected by the fire to locally purchase groceries and relief supplies, such as fencing. The program is under development and more information will be available soon on how to apply.
• A $1,500 grant was awarded to Paradise United Methodist Church to replenish their pantry and provide meals for volunteers assisting with recovery.

The Russell County Area Community Foundation is very grateful for the many generous donations to the Russell County Disaster Relief Fund. Your gifts make these grants possible. If you would like to make a tax-deductible gift to the fund, please mail a check to RCACF, Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 172, Russell, KS 67665.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and other agencies that are providing direct relief help to people, property, or livestock impacted in Russell County may be eligible for grant money. Charitable organizations may apply for a grant by contacting Angela Muller, 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 Wednesday, March 30, 2022. This year, more than $60,000 is available for charitable community improvement projects within Russell County and area communities. 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 spring grant cycle is provided by the Dane G. Hansen Community Grant Fund and the Kansas Health Foundation.

Grants are limited to the Russell County area. 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 at www.rcacf.net. Please direct questions to Angela Muller, RCACF Executive Director, 785-445-3611 or [email protected].

The Bennington State Bank has donated $25,000 to the Russell County Disaster Relief Fund at the Russell County Area Community Foundation. The fund will be able to grant immediate money to nonprofit organizations offering relief services in impacted areas following a major emergency weather event, or other disaster, like the windstorm and wildfires our region experienced in December.

“We are grateful to Bennington State Bank for their generosity and kindness toward those affected by the windstorm and wildfires. The Russell County Disaster Relief Fund is available to make grants to firehouses, local government, relief organizations and other charitable entities assisting area neighbors affected by the disaster. The fund is a permanent safety net to Russell County to aid in the aftermath of an emergency, as well as disaster preparedness and recovery efforts,” said Angela Muller, Executive Director, RCACF.

“Our hearts go out to the families and Kansas farmers who suffered extreme damage and loss caused by the windstorm and fires. As an Ag Bank, we live, work and serve in the communities impacted by this disaster and we want to do our part to help.” said Darren Gragg, President and CEO of Bennington State Bank. Nonprofit organizations, schools, churches and other agencies providing direct relief to help people, property or livestock impacted in Russell County may be eligible for grant money. Charitable organizations may apply by contacting Angela Muller, Executive Director, at 785-445-3611 or [email protected]. Application deadline is January 21, 2022.