About Us
Building strong sustainable communities
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller
Our Vision Statement
Our vision is to strategically guide our Affiliates to:
- Inspire Donors To Give
- Prudently Grow Contributions
- Connect Gifts To Causes
Our Mission Statement
Our mission is to empower our donors, affiliates and charitable partners through education, stewardship and regional collaboration, to create thriving communities and impact present and future generations.
Our Guiding Principles
Integrity: Earning the trust of those we serve by operating ethically and transparently.
Excellence: Always striving for higher standards and quality performance.
Community: Collaborating around a common goal or interest.
Visionary: Finding potential and opportunity with progressive ideas to forge new paths forward.
Resilient: Having the ability to adapt to dynamic circumstances and gain strength through transformation.
Learn more about what we set out to achieve
Our vision is progress in action! Today, GNWKCF represents a 15-county area of Northwest Kansas and is comprised of 13 Affiliate Foundations, 1 Agency Foundation, 6 Agency Partners, 2 Supporting Organizations, and numerous other funds.
We have a strong partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation which generously supports 26 counties in Northwest Kansas to improve the quality of life for area citizens. The Hansen Foundation has been instrumental in building area community foundations through offering opportunities to establish and grow permanent endowment funds to provide a source of local grants forever.
We are a member of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations with a strong belief in networking together to maximize philanthropic impacts.
Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation is an organization exempt from Federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a public charity, and a nonprofit corporation organized in the State of Kansas.
Timeline
Explore our history
2024
Graham County Community Foundation became an Affiliate;
Logan County Community Foundation changed its status from an Agency Foundation to an Affiliate Foundation; Norton County Community Foundation changed its status from an Agency Foundation to an Affiliate Foundation; Wallace County Foundation changed its status from an Agency Foundation to an Affiliate Foundation.
2023
Osborne County Community Foundation joined as an Affiliate; Smoky Hills Community Foundation joined as an affiliate.
2022
Russell County Area Community Foundation became an Affiliate; Bird City Century II Development Foundation changed its status from an Affiliate to a Supporting Organization; and Friends of Cottonwood Ranch became a Supporting Organization.
2018
In 2018 ACE Foundation in Rawlins County became an Affiliate, Wallace County Foundation joined as an Agency Foundation, and Graham County Community Foundation, Phillips County Community Foundation and Thomas County Community Foundation became Agency Partners with only their Hansen Established Funds managed by GNWKCF.
2017
Logan County Community Foundation became an Agency Foundation; Cheyenne County Kansas Community Foundation joined as an Affiliate; Norton County Community Foundation changed its status from an Affiliate Foundation to an Agency Foundation.
2016
GROW Decatur County Foundation joined as an Affiliate.
2013
Norton County Community Foundation joined as an Affiliate.
2012
Gove County Community Foundation, Sheridan County Community Foundation and Sherman County Community Foundation joined as Affiliates.
2009
The Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation (GNWKCF) was formed to increase exposure and opportunities for philanthropy throughout northwest Kansas and the tri-state region.
In 2009, realizing the benefits to regionalization, the Bird City Century II Development Foundation affiliated with GNWKCF.
GNWKCF Directly Owned Funds
People
Learn about the team behind GNWKCF
Joan McKenna
Board Chair
Raelene Keller
Vice-Board Chair
Kris Yost
Treasurer
Tom Keller
Secretary
Mitch Gillespie
Board Member
Mike Posson
Board Member
Harry Joe Pratt
Board Member
Travis Rickford
Board Member
Tony Haffner
Board Member
John O. Farmer
Board Member
Chuck Moore
Board Member
Cheryl Rathbun
Board Member
Heather Hancock
Board Member
Reports
Get the latest reports
We publish two types of reports every year. The annual report gives an update on the projects we have accomplished while Form 990 provides financial information to the public.