Wichita Art Day of Giving launches on Feb. 28

Catalyst

The Wichita Community Foundation is orchestrating the community’s first-ever Art Day of Giving (ArtDOG) on Feb. 28, 2014. From midnight to midnight, this 24-hour online fundraising campaign will create awareness and generate funds for local arts organizations. ArtDOG is a project of WCF, in partnership with The Arts Council and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Purposefully set on February’s Final Friday, when the entire city celebrates the arts, ArtDOG activities will encourage online giving, and use matching funds and prizes to showcase the power of community philanthropy.See inside for more information.

WCF is the catalyst that creates lasting legacies by partnering with people, families and organizations to devote resources to causes that matter. Founded in 1986 by community leaders dedicated to making Wichita a better place to live, grow and give, the Foundation is a public nonprofit organization, with more than 300 charitable funds and agency endowments, representing more than $60 million. WCF staff work as conveners, providing a point of contact between those in need and those who can assist.

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.

Winter 2014 Newsletter

- Arthur Ashe

FY2013 Board of Directors

Knight Foundation funds 2014 projects in Wichita Share the Season wraps up 14th year

Sheryl Wohlford, ChairBrian Black, Vice-ChairEd Healy, SecretarySteve Houlik, TreasurerSharol Rasberry, Immediate Past ChairJerry AaronPamela AmmarClark BastianTami BradleyNoreen CarrocciCokie DiggsJeff FluhrGary GammWilliam “Skip” HidlayTom MartinMary Lynn OliverRon PaulseenBarry SchwanCharles StarkLynn StephanLyndon Wells

The Knight Foundation Fund, managed at the Wichita Community Foundation, has awarded two grants for 2014, totaling $119,900. These grants will contribute to the Knight Foundation’s effort of creating an “informed and engaged” Wichita community.

The two recipients of this year’s grants are the Wichita Downtown Development Corporation (WDDC) and the Wichita Educational Foundation.

“Each of these grants from the Knight Foundation Fund supports a large picture of a vibrant Wichita,” said WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard. “As a local partner with the Knight Foundation, WCF can serve

Take a minute. Step back from the day-to-day work and really examine what you’re doing and why

you’re doing it. That examination can be challenging. Looking deeper can make you uncomfortable. The

investigation will take time. But in the end, it’s worth the work.

That’s what the Board of the Wichita Community Foundation did in mid-2012, and the results of that

strategic work are slowly coming into focus. We are aiming for transformational, impactful philanthropy

- whatever that means. We’re still working on the definition, but as that focus sharpens, we know we will

be fulfilling our new mission of serving in a catalytic role, to bring people together, to devote resources

to causes that matter.

The Board also established an emergency fund, and an efficient process to access that money, to help

our community organizations at the time of their greatest need. The Foundation staff also continues to

represent organizations, such as The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Murdock Fund, the

Wichita Wagonmasters, and 20 families or groups with their grant-making and scholarship processes.

Yes, there is significant evolution at WCF, and that movement supports the initial goal of our founders

from 1986: convening community leaders, to leverage dollars, to find solutions to problems and spur

change for a better Wichita.

WELCOME

as a community convener, helping these ideas from the Leadership Council go from concept to meaningful research, and eventually, to execution.”

WDDC received $75,000 to plan for the revitalization of the historic Douglas Avenue underpass. WDDC will obtain a lead architect and design team to help in the first phase of the project.

The Wichita Educational Foundation was awarded a $44,900 grant. The goal of this grant is to map the pathway to establishing a comprehensive program that will result in a globally competitive workforce for the Wichita region for decades to come.

For additional information, visit wichitacf.org/knight.

Shelly PrichardPresident and CEO

Sheryl WohlfordBoard Chair

When the Disability Rights Center of Kansas suggested that a service dog might help with their son’s anxieties, Kris Ehling and Bart Flickinger didn’t hesitate to find out more.

“I did some research and decided we would try it,” said Ehling. “I found an organization called CARES (Canine Assistance Rehabilitation Education and Services), Inc. and called them to get more information.”

CARES, Inc. is a private nonprofit in Concordia, Kan., that offers a variety of services for the elderly and disabled communities. The organization, which offers foster dogs, as well as assistance and professional therapy dogs, requires interested parties to apply for consideration into the program.

Ehling said he found the organization online. After submitting an application, the family had a 12- to 18-month waiting period.

“About a year after I had submitted the application, I called,” said Ehling. “They said Isaac’s dog would be ready in August or October (2013).”

The cost of the dog was $2,500, plus travel expenses and set up for a week of training at CARES, Inc. Ehling said the family received some funds from another party, but were $500 short. After a friend recommended he call the Wichita Community Foundation, Ehling got in touch with Carol Nazar, WCF’s

Director of Donor and Grant Making Services. “In the 14 years I’ve worked at the Foundation,

you rarely see lightning strike like this,” Nazar said. “We build relationships with our donors to know what their interests are, and to keep them

informed about what we see as clear needs in the community. The fit between a boy who needed a service dog and a long-time donor who loved animals was instantaneous.”

Ehling said Nazar was able to fulfill the family’s need by linking them with an anonymous donor.

“She connected us,” he said. “Without the gift, we could not have paid for the dog.”

In order to receive the dog, Ehling said his family had to spend an “intense week” at CARES, Inc.

“We learned about dog psychology, how to be the leader of the pack, learned commands, how to groom an animal and more,” said Ehling. “We aren’t really pet people. Well, we weren’t originally.”

There were 12 families receiving dogs that week.

“We were strangers on the first day and like family on the fifth day,” said Ehling.

Although Isaac has only had his poodle, Hubbard, for a few months, he has already made a significant difference.

“They adore one another,” he said. “We give the dog commands and he looks at us. Isaac gives the same command and Hubbard does it immediately. When Isaac is showering, Hubbard will sit outside of the bathroom waiting for Isaac to finish. He won’t leave his post.”

Issac and Hubbard form instant relationshipWCF connects boy with service dog through donor support

Share the Season wraps up 14th year

A collaborative effort of the Wichita Community Foundation, The Salvation Army and The Wichita Eagle, Share the Season is a unique program providing one-time assistance to the working poor during the holiday season.

After being carefully screened by The Salvation Army, applicants can receive assistance for one-time payment needs, such as mortgages, medical bills, utilities and other expenses.

The Wichita Eagle featured a recipient story in the newspaper every day from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The stories, and more information about the program, can be found at wichitacf.org/media.

Dollars - $257,000Donors - 1,121Families - 200

A record-breaking year

Isaac Flickinger’s service poodle, Hubbard, helps him manage his stress and anxiety. An anonymous WCF donor helped make this gift possible.

Photo credit: Kris Ehling

For a decade, a Secret Santa has been purchasing gold coins, and, with the help of the Wichita Community Foundation, has had them anonymously delivered to selected recipients in mid-December. Thanks to a recent gift, an anonymous donor has established the Gold Coin Society Fund, ensuring that these deliveries will continue for years to come.

“This very generous donor asks that he remain anonymous, even after death,” said WCF Director of Donor and Grant Making Services Carol Nazar. “He hopes by starting this endowed fund, others will follow his example and donate to it.”

The first set of gold coins was distributed in 2005 to five area organizations. The gifts were made with one request – use them to find a way to generate even more funds.

Guadalupe Clinic, Inc., which provides access to necessary healthcare for those in need, has received a total of five anonymous gold coins from Secret Santa.

Beginning with the first gold coin, the Guadalupe Health Foundation sold the coin during the Midwest Winefest Grand Tasting and Auction. The proceeds “allow the Clinic to provide access to necessary healthcare for the working poor and uninsured in the region,” said

Guadalupe Clinic Executive Director David Gear. Many of the coins purchased during the

auctions have been donated back to the Clinic to produce even more profit. More than $100,000 has generated from these gold coins, according to Gear.

Another hope of the anonymous donor is to inspire others to give just as he has.

In a letter written in 1996, the anonymous donor said, in reference to giving, “Try it. You might like it. And if the magic doesn’t work for you, just walk away from it at any time. But, we think you will be surprised.”

The Gold Coin Society Fund ensures this donor’s giving will continue forever.

“Working with him through the years, I can only say while few could guess his identity, his true motivation and reward lie beyond this life,” said Nazar.

The donor reiterated this in the letter by stating, “We did this because it was the right thing to do.”

“By starting the Gold Coin Society Fund, this tradition can continue,” said WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard. “Delivering these gold coins during the holiday season provides area nonprofits with the opportunity and hope to help even more people than they

already do. I have enjoyed delivering the gold coins the past two years. It’s truly a remarkable, memorable experience for

both WCF and the recipients.”The 2013 gold coin recipients were The Lord’s

Diner, Center of Hope and Guadalupe Clinic, Inc. Each were delivered by Prichard, with a value at the time of approximately $1,400.

Although the donor who gifts these coins wishes to remain anonymous, Prichard said WCF is glad to be able to fulfill his individual wishes.

“We want to provide a legacy that can live beyond the life of the donor,” said Prichard. “The Gold Coin Society Fund does just that.”

If you are interested in becoming a part of the Gold Coin Society Fund, contact Nazar at 316-264-4880 or cnazar@wichitacf.org.

Local nonprofits compete for grant dollars Scholarship deadline approaching

Wichita Wagonmaster’s Good Life GrantsEstablished in 2012 by the Wichita Wagonmasters, these grants

benefit the quality of life for people in the Wichita area. The grant recipients in 2013 were:

Anonymous donor establishes Gold Coin Society Fund

WCF President and CEO Shelly Prichard, along with The Lord’s Diner Director Jan Haberly, holds one of three gold coins that were presented to various nonprofits in December 2013.

Photo credit: Catholic Advance

The Victor Murdock Fund Continuing a tradition established in 1974, grants from this fund

are generally made within the areas of journalism, fine arts, history, health, science, religion, education, literature, music, human services and research. The 2013 grant recipients, who received a total of $26,594.11, were:

KidzCope, Inc. - $1,000

KETCH - $1,000

Make-a-Wish Foundation - $1,000

Music Theatre for Young People - $500

Tallgrass Film Festival - $1,000

Wichita Fellowship Club - $1,000

Boy Scouts of America - $500

Bread of Life - $1,000

Child Advocacy Center - $1,000

Chamber Music at the Barn - $1,000

Envision - $1,000

Ember Hope (Youthville) - $750

Families Together -$500

Dress for Success-Wichita - $2,000

FUNdamental Learning Center - $2,150

InterFaith Ministries - $1,600

Music Theatre of Wichita - $2,000

Union Rescue Mission - $2,594.11

Youth Horizons - $2,250The total dollars distributed was $11,250.

Scholarships were also awarded to:

Friends University - $4,000

Kansas Newspaper Foundation - $1,000

Newman University - $4,000

Wichita State University - $5,000

What is ArtDOG?Wichita ArtDOG is a 24-hour fundraising

event created to rally community support for local arts organizations. This unique one-day fundraiser is a project of the Wichita Community Foundation (WCF), with help from its partners, The Arts Council and the Knight Foundation. The event will be on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014, from midnight to midnight.

What is the goal of having this event?WCF brings this event to Wichita with several

goals in mind, including:• To raise awareness of the current needs

of arts organizations in the community• To encourage local arts nonprofits to

learn how to use digital tools• To inspire donors to increase financial

support of their favorite local arts organizations

How does it work?Through a community-wide public relations

and marketing campaign, people are encouraged to visit ArtDayOfGiving.Razoo.com on Feb. 28, 2014, and donate to registered nonprofit organizations. WCF contracts with Razoo to provide the online giving platform to each nonprofit at no cost to the organization.

Is the Wichita Community Foundation generating any profit from this project?

No. As a matter of fact, WCF has committed $25,000 to be included in the matching pool fund.

How can I participate?On Feb. 28, visit ArtDayofGiving.Razoo.

com and donate to your favorite Wichita arts nonprofit, or to the arts in general. The general arts fund will be shared among all participating organizations.

Wichita ArtDOG will bring awareness to local organizations24-hour giving campaign first of its kind in Wichita

Scholarship deadline approaching March 15All Foundation scholarship applications are due.

May 15Scholarship recipients are announced at wichitacf.org.

June 15Proof of acceptance or an early enrollment form

from your institution due to WCF.

August 15/January 15Awards are paid directly to the educational

institution you will be attending.

December 30/May 30If you have the opportunity for a renewal of your scholarship, you must submit a current transcript of your semester grades,

as well as a letter stating what you have achieved during the semester to the WCF office.

Photo credit: Debbie Conley

The Beth Alexander Memorial Fund’s first recipients, (first left) Breanne Youngers (second left), Claire Howard and Ashley Gleim (far right) are pictured with Karen Hoffman, the older sister of Beth Alexander. Hoffman and her husband established the Beth Alexander Memorial Fund in memory of Alexander. This scholarship is specifically for Garden Plain students, where Alexander was an English teacher.

February 28, 2014Midnight to Midnight

ArtDayOfGiving.Razoo.com

Wichita ArtDOG 2014 participantsA.R.I.S.E.

Arts CouncilArts PartnersBallet Wichita

Botanica WichitaCamp Allegro

Chamber Music at the BarnNewman University Department of Music

Friends University Division of Fine ArtsEmerald City Chorus Sweet Adelines

Exploration PlaceFisch Bowl

Friends of the Wichita Art MuseumGriot’s Storytelling Institute

The Kansas African American MuseumKansas Aviation Museum

Mid-America All-Indian CenterMuseum of World Treasures

Music Theatre for Young PeopleMusic Theatre of WichitaOld Cowtown Museum

Opera KansasOrpheum Performing Arts Centre

Sedgwick County Zoological SocietyTallgrass Film Association

Ulrich Museum of ArtWichita Art MuseumWichita Blues Society

Wichita Center for the ArtsWichita Chamber Chorale

Wichita Chapter, American Guild of OrganistsWichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center

Wichita Choral SocietyWichita Community Theatre

Wichita Grand OperaWichita Public Library Foundation

Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical MuseumWichita Symphony Orchestra

CREATE COMMUNITYTHROUGH ART

#ICTARTDOG

Scholarships were also awarded to:

Friends University - $4,000

Kansas Newspaper Foundation - $1,000

Newman University - $4,000

Wichita State University - $5,000

301 N. Main | Ste. 100 | Wichita, KS 67202316-264-4880 | www.wichitacf.org

Catalyst is a quarterly newsletter published by

the Wichita Community Foundation. This issue

is also available at www.wichitacf.org/media.

Winter 2014 Newsletter

@WichitaCF WichitaCF