Marion County, KS – Four local community foundations are identifying needs and accepting donations as part of the Central Kansas Community Foundation (CKCF) COVID-19 response efforts. CKCF affiliates in Florence, Goessel, Hillsboro and Peabody each have community foundation boards of directors who can connect charities with available funds.
Last week, CKCF circulated the COVID-19 Needs Assessment to identify emerging needs in Marion County communities. Local 501 (c)(3) charities and other tax-exempt entities, including city and county government, educational institutions and churches, that are responding to the effects of COVID-19 are encouraged to submit a response to this form.
“We hope that by identifying needs before they emerge, we can start to communicate an approximate dollar amount and have funding in place when it is needed,” said Becky Nickel, CKCF Affiliate Liaison and Peabody Community Foundation Director. “To date we have identified funding needs for food, diapers, disinfectant, hand sanitizer, wipes and operational expenses in light of cancelled fundraising events.”
In addition to the Needs Assessment, foundation leaders in Marion County are regularly in contact with local response officials and charities to determine need.
Community Response Fund Open
In response to the pandemic, CKCF opened the Central Kansas Community Relief Fund. CKCF is the official 501(c)(3) charitable organization accepting donations for charities in Marion County, and the Relief Fund will be a resource for charities in Marion County who are seeking to meet increased needs during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As needs emerge during this time, charitable organizations and other tax-exempt entities can apply for funding through a simplified grant application, available on the CKCF website, www.centralkansacf.org. A review committee in each community will determine who receives the funding.
Donors who wish to respond to community needs may visit www.centralkansascf.org to contribute to the fund. Donations may be designated to a particular community or charity.
“Along with our donors, our role is to make sure that service providers have everything they need to respond to people who are vulnerable during this pandemic,” said Angie Tatro, CKCF Executive Director. “Our ultimate goal is to help our communities respond, recover and build resiliency. We are prepared to meet the needs of our individual affiliate communities.” Even though CKCF has activated the Relief Fund as an initial response to the event to serve its entire service region, according to Tatro, the Foundation maintains flexibility in local response and relief effort. “Leadership continually evaluates the need to activate local relief funds at the affiliate community level,” she added. “We will be considering the relief effort management resources available in each of our communities before making the decision to activate local relief funds.”
Further information is available at www.centralkansascf.org under the “COVID-19” tab.
