Elk County Community Foundation Announced 2025 Grant Recipients 16 Local Organizations Awarded Funding to Strengthen Communities Across the Greater Elk County Area
HOWARD - The Elk County Community Foundation (ECCF), and affiliate of the Central Kansas Community Foundation, is proud to announce the 2025 recipients of its annual Rural Match and Competitive Grants, awarding funding to 16 local organizations that are making a positive impact throughout the greater Elk County area. From youth enrichment to emergency services, this year’s grants support a wide range of initiatives that contribute to the health, safety, and vitality of local communities.
“These organizations represent the heart of our communities,” said ECCF Associate Director, Brandi Mast. “Each one is addressing real needs—from fire protection and youth programming to senior services and library resources. We’re honored to partner with them in building a stronger, more resilient future for our communities.”
2025 Grant Recipients: •City of Severy – For cemetery improvements
•Longton Fire Department – To support fire truck repair expenses
•Wellness Warriors – For the purchase of new equipment to support growing class sizes
•Howard Senior Center – Supporting ongoing operational expenses and building repair
•City of Moline – For the community’s walking path project
•Elk County 4-H – Supporting leadership and educational programming for youth
•Elk County Wrestling Club – For youth athletic development and team resources
•Howard City Library – Enhancing public access to books and educational materials
•Longton Public Library – Funding literacy and technology access initiatives •Longton Ball Association – To improve youth sports facilities and programming •Longton Baptist Church Youth Group – Supporting youth engagement and service projects
•Severy United Methodist Church – Funding for community engagement and operating expenses
•Elk County Free Fair Association – Enhancing community events and fair operations
•Longton Senior Center – Providing vital services and social opportunities for older adults
•Shaffer Museum – Supporting local history preservation and community engagement
•Paul Jacot Memorial Youth Center – For improvements and youth-focused programming Grant amounts vary based on project scope and community need All awards are made possible through the generosity of donors and community- minded partners who support ECCF’s mission as well as the continued generosity of the Patterson Family Foundation through their annual Matching Grant program, which, this year, awarded ECCF $100,000 in matching funds.
In addition to these grant recipients, this year’s fundraising efforts also greatly increased charitable funds held with the Foundation. These funds are vital to furthering ECCF’s mission of supporting charitable efforts throughout the area, ensuring lasting investment in the well-being and development of the greater Elk County area. These funds include:
•Historic Bank Building fund – supporting restoration of the Historic Bank Building in Howard •Moline New Community Building Project Fund – for raising money to build a new community building in Moline
•Elk Falls Community Improvement Fund - for improvements around the community of Elk Falls
•Grenola Community Building Fund – For repair and maintenance needs on the community building in Grenola
• Elk County Community Impact Fund – for supporting worthwhile projects throughout Elk County • Elk Valley Student Support Fund – for supporting individual student need at Elk Valley Schools
• EmpoWEr Fund - for supporting individual student needs at West Elk Schools
• Feed Elk County Fund – for the purchase of food to stock Give and Take Food Boxes throughout the greater Elk County area
• Howard City Pool Fund – For supporting the ongoing repair and maintenance of the Howard City Pool
• Longton Community Impact Fund – For supporting worthwhile projects throughout the community of Longton
• Elk County Community Foundation Operating Fund – for the operational expenses involve with keeping ECCF running
• Tim Perkins Memorial Scholarship Fund – for funding annual scholarships to qualified West Elk graduating seniors
• Margarie, Jim and Steve Cunningham Nursing Scholarship Fund – For funding annual scholarships to West Elk graduating seniors entering the nursing field
• Elk County Community Foundation – for funding annual scholarships for Elk Valley and West Elk students in pursuit of higher education The Foundation’s grantmaking and charitable effort reflects a commitment to sustainable, grassroots development throughout the greater Elk County area. Since its founding, ECCF has worked to connect local generosity with local needs through responsible stewardship, donor services, and nonprofit support. In total, ECCF is investing over $223,000 into the community this year through a combination of grant awards and increase of charitable funds balances To learn more about the Elk County Community Foundation and what they are doing in our communities, visit www.centralkansascf. org, contact the Foundation directly at 316-251-4291 or brandi. [email protected] or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
About ECCF
On March 17, 2014, the Elk County Community Foundation was formed as an affiliate of Central Kansas Community Foundation. The mission of the Elk County Community Foundation is to enhance the quality of education, cultural, civic, and economic life in the greater Elk County area, both today and in the future by:
• Enabling donors to fulfill their charitable interests, • Building a permanent endowment,
• Facilitating prudent management and care of funds,
• Meeting community needs through grants, awards, and scholarships. Contact Brandi Mast, Associate Director, to learn more at [email protected] or 316-251-4291.
About Central Kansas Community Foundation Central Kansas Community Foundation mission is “Building Stronger Communities Through Charitable Giving.” Founded in 1994 Central Kansas Community Foundation based in Newton, Kansas is an intermediary between donors and charities, the community foundation helps donors establish funds that financially support meaningful, charitable programs and services in their community. Central Kansas Community Foundation also hosts 19 affiliate community foundations throughout Central Kansas. www.centralkansascf. org
