Welcome to the Caring Community Foundation
ENHANCING VIBRANT COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEAST KANSAS
A gift to the CCF Community Fund lasts forever and helps us support local efforts including education, healthcare, the arts, agriculture, emergency and firefighting response, history preservation, downtown development, non-profit growth, and more!
Help us complete our journey to a brighter future for local communities by committing to an annual gift to the CCF! Learn more. Donate.
News
CCF Announces New Director
The Caring Community Foundation announces a change in leadership. Valerie Ramage has been named the new Executive Director. Ms. Ramage received her B.S. degree at Fort Hays State University. Since graduating college, she has primarily worked in helping professions and non-profits, including organizations that focus on child abuse and mental health. Valerie lives in Havensville with her husband, Josh, and two corgis and is an active participant on the HRHS board.
Susanne Kufahl has held the office of Executive Director since the organization’s inception and is now moving into a position on the Board of Directors.
Established with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity in 2015, the Caring Community Foundation serves NE Kansas, focusing on Pottawatomie, Marshall, Jackson, and Nemaha Counties. In nearly ten years, the CCF has helped donors create 40 charitable funds and has awarded nearly 1 million dollars in local grants and scholarships. The Foundation currently stewards approximately 4 million dollars invested for the future of our local communities.
“We’re grateful for Susie’s commitment and leadership that has helped us grow to become a major source of community strength and support. We are excited to have Valerie join us! We’re confident that the CCF will continue to advance local charitable development with her as our Executive Director.” commented Jay Rezac, CCF Board Chair. “Valerie has already hit the ground running and is available full time at the CCF office at 307 Leonard in Onaga, or out and about in our communities. Please welcome her when you see her!”
Valerie can be reached at 785-889-4249 and at vramage@ccfks.org. More information about the Caring Community Foundation is available at ccfks.org.
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SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OPEN!
It is time to apply for scholarships!
The Caring Community Foundation is honored to assist area graduating high school students. Scholarships vary in amount, renewability, and include criteria such as geographic area, specific high school, length of program, and/or area of study. Applications are available online and from area high school counselors.
Scholarships are due to the Caring Community Foundation by March 13th. Check with your high school counselor for more information.
Apply here: https://ccfks.org/2025-scholarship-applications/
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The 2024 Care Catalog Raises $100,000 for all projects!
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The Caring Community Foundation has awarded nearly $9000 so far in 2024!
(See details below)
Rock Creek Endowment Grants
Middle School – camera $2,033.89
High School – Spanish food prep education $1,000.00
High School – 10 Garmin watches for PE $1,296.00
St. George Elementary School empathy and resilience program $945.30
Community Grants
Onaga Historical Society – safety equipment $500.00
St. Marys Historical Society – laptop $500.00
HRHS – popcorn and cotton candy machines $1,500.00
City of Havensville – rubber mulch $1,000.00
Total = $8,775.19
Watch for our annual Care Catalog later this fall, November 18 – December 16th, to help us support our communities lots more!
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Wellsprings Shade Project Announcement
Wellsprings, a long term care facility in Westmoreland, KS needed shade for their outdoor memory unit patio. They lost a shade tree in a storm, leaving the patio completely in the sun. The Caring Community Foundation’s 2023 Care Catalog carried their request for completing this project. And the community stepped up!
Many thanks go to: Brandon Fleming, of Fleming Brothers Construction
MCM, Midwest Concrete Materials
Howell Lumber Company
Farmers State Bank
The Caring Community Foundation was so pleased to be able to work with these fine community partners. Their work provides cool shade, but their generosity warms the heart!
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Westmoreland Swimming Pool
As the Westmoreland community continues to recover from the April 30 tornado, community members are coming together to bring new and enhanced recreation options for youth and families. This phase of improvement focuses on the rebuilding of the community swimming pool.
Public swimming pools serve as more than just a place to cool off on hot summer days. They’re catalysts for fostering a sense of community. Community members feel that having a swimming pool is vital to the growth and vitality of Westmoreland. The goal is to raise $150,000 by April 1st.
Support this effort by donating to the Westmoreland Parks and Community Fund. Your donation can go farther by participating in a donor match and your gift is tax deductible. A group of local families have agreed to match the first $75,000 in gifts. Your donation will help provide a safe and fun place for children and families to enjoy a little fun in the sun.
Donate directly to the Westmoreland Parks & Community fund here:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/
Drop off at Farmers State Bank, reference Westmoreland Parks and Community Fund
Mail to:
Caring Community Foundation for the Westmoreland Parks and Community Fund
307 Leonard
P.O. Box 54
Onaga KS 66521
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The CCF does a lot of work behind the scenes to support our local communities.
The Care Catalog was last Fall, but it made quite a splash and ripples are still occurring. Today, KSNT reported on the USD 322 Onaga High School weightlifting room equipment updates funded through the Catalog. There were multiple donors; the story on the 5:00 news focused on Little Apple Toyota, by far the largest donor. The news clip didn’t show the entire crowd of Buffalo proud: several coaches, five students, and CCF. CCF treated all to a pizza lunch following the interview. A huge thank you to all the donors, especially Little Apple Toyota!
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Toyota Gives Generously to the CCF
Demonstrating a deep commitment to community welfare, Little Apple Toyota, in conjunction with Your local Toyota dealerships, has made a substantial donation to the Caring Community Foundation (CCF), totaling $21,190. This generous contribution underscores the dealership’s dedication to supporting local communities and charitable initiatives. Read more here.
Tom Hood, Managing Partner of Little Apple Toyota in Manhattan presents generous gift to Jay Rezac, President, and Susie Kufahl, Director, of the Caring Community Foundation. The donation funded the USD 322 Onaga weightlifting equipment and the Foundation’s Community Fund through the Care Catalog.
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For good.
When people do good, they feel good. CCF makes it easy. We serve as a leader, a catalyst, a trusted resource to help initiate and grow your philanthropic ideas.
For community.
You know your community like no one else. Donate to a fund to help meet the needs that mean the most to you in your home town. Or, give back to your community by creating a “Community Good” fund to help provide assistance for your community’s greatest needs.
Forever.
Let the CCF enhance your efforts to help ensure a strong and vibrant future for your community. Funds endowed with the CCF will continue to bring good to your community into perpetuity, forever.
About
What is a Community Foundation?
The Caring Community Foundation (CCF) is about connecting, growing and giving – growing funds for the future of our local communities and connecting donors to needs they care about, right here at home.
