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Philanthropy Today
Published by Dave Lewis
- Non-Profit
- Business
The official Philanthropy Today Podcast channel.
Listen on Apple PodcastsPublished by Dave Lewis
The official Philanthropy Today Podcast channel.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWe talk with Lori Getch about Fairy Godmothers and how local giving meets urgent needs for women in Manhattan, Kansas. We break down the grants, the screening process, and the events that keep the mission growing. • the origin story at the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and the core mission of women helping women • the HUG Hand Up Grant that helps women return to school, earn certificates, and finish degrees • mentoring that keeps grantees encouraged through graduation • emergency grants for car repairs, safe housing essentials, and dental work • applications routed through Shepherd’s Crossing with eligibility screening and quick turnaround • how local nonprofits coordinate so fewer neighbors fall through the cracks • upcoming fundraisers including the October 12 golf tournament and Wonderful Wednesday celebrating a $1M endowment We invite you to Wonderful Wednesday, come and join us. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Beach Museum of Art curator Eileen Wong about building exhibitions that welcome everyone, from clear label writing to creating a space where curiosity is the point. We preview Homeslash Land Wazhazhe Artists Speak, a bilingual English and Wazhazhe exhibition featuring three Osage Nation artists, plus ways to celebrate and show up for the museum this season. • Eileen Wong’s path from New York to Kansas and 11 years at the Beach Museum of Art • What a curator does day to day, from research to gallery layout to writing wall labels • Writing about art without “shop talk” so first-time visitors feel included • Homeslash Land Wazhazhe Artists Speak opening August 18 and why “Wazhazhe” matters • Making the exhibition bilingual with a Wazhazhe language translator • Spotlight on Norman Akers, Anita Fields, and Ryan Redcorn plus new installations • Upcoming events including the August 20 celebration and the October 9 Beach Ball • The Beach Museum mission after 30 years and why we say art is for everyone So please come, everyone, come to check out what’s going on at the beach. GMCF CFAs
We catch up with Josh Brewer from Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Flint Hills on active builds, a major Manhattan rehab, and what it takes to keep job sites safe when the heat spikes. We also break down the repair program, the Builders Club, Hope Restored ReStore gift cards, and a fall fundraiser that brings the community together. • four active construction sites including a large rehab near Seaco Park • plans to split a large lot and add a prefabricated home • heat as a real job site safety risk and how crews adapt • ladders as the most dangerous tool and why attention matters • bigger households and multi-generational living shaping housing needs • Manhattan critical home repair program basics and timeline • income eligibility up to 134% for the city partnership repair program • Builders Club recurring giving and non-construction volunteer roles • Hope Restored $100 ReStore gift cards through partner agencies • Habitat Hoedown details at Lazy T Ranch and why dancing works If you're thinking about doing this in this calendar year, now's the time to really get that application in. If $5 a month is a meaningful amount, make that contribution. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Kansas Green Schools Director Rachel Wahle about why getting kids outdoors is one of the fastest ways to counterbalance rising screen time and student anxiety. We share how KACEE supports teachers across Kansas with practical training, standards-aligned curriculum, and student projects that create real change at school. • what KACEE is and how we train the trainers in environmental education across Kansas • why outdoor learning fits what teachers already teach rather than adding extra work • how phones, attention, and youth mental health connect to the “anxious generation” conversation • the scale of the Kansas Green Schools Network and what partnerships look like in districts • how Kansas teachers co-develop curriculum by grade band to match standards • the screen time and outdoor time gap and why it matters for learning and well-being • free professional development and curriculum guides teachers can use right away • Green School Investigations on energy, waste and recycling, water, and air quality • why the message stays simple through strong partnerships and an “arsenal” of resources Visit k-a-c-e-e.org to sign up for free, find professional development, and use the donation link for one-time or recurring support GMCF CFAs
We talk with Rachel Fontenau from Sunflower Children’s Collective about how their Child Advocacy Center and CASA program support kids and caregivers through investigations, court, and recovery. We also share how the community can fund free services through Champions for Hope and how volunteers can train to become a CASA. • serving about 315 children across programs each fiscal year and seeing steady growth over time • why Child Advocacy Center referrals increase as MDT partnerships expand across counties • what a forensic interview is, who is in the room, how it is recorded, and what happens after • how wraparound advocacy supports caregivers with resources, referrals, and next steps • Champions for Hope fundraising, including event ideas, dates, and promotional support • training paths to become a CASA, including National CASA guided learning model • what we look for in CASA volunteers, including time, heart, and willingness to speak up for a child Sunflower Children’s Collective.com GMCF CFAs
We sit down with Tyler Dupey, the new Executive Director of Kanza United Way, to hear how he plans to lead with strategy, strong volunteers, and smarter use of data. We also dig into how local giving becomes local grants, plus the volunteer tools and literacy programs that help families across Manhattan and Riley County. • Tyler’s path from western Kansas to Manhattan and into nonprofit leadership • Board governance, strategy, and stretching limited nonprofit resources • How workplace campaigns, payroll deduction, and employer matching build impact • Annual campaign timeline and the September 15 kickoff at the Shamrock Zone at Bramlage • How partner agency grants are reviewed and selected by volunteers • Volunteer hub basics, tracking hours, and what Stuff the Bus accomplishes for USD 383 • Dolly Parton Imagination Library details, including 140,000 books delivered and eligibility for ages 0 to 5 They can go on our website, conziunitedway.org GMCF CFAs
We talk with Dane Malone about how Switch Wicked Studios grows from a screen printing shop into a nonprofit community art space in downtown Manhattan. We dig into the events, the low-friction ways artists can participate, and the big goal of making creativity feel accessible for all ages. • expanding from design and screen printing into a retail space plus community studios • running weekly meetups like Independent Craft Night and Film Club • hosting a First Saturday Art Market that helps local artists start selling • treating the studio as a creative idea incubator for workshops and new events • building all-ages music through the Frog Wizard concert series • partnering locally and creating a welcoming landing spot for people new to town switchwicked.com Following us on social media is a great way to keep up on all of our events as well GMCF CFAs
We talk with Carla Johnson from Disabled American Veterans about how trained service officers help veterans and families access VA benefits, file claims, and avoid getting lost in paperwork. We also dig into a Kansas policy win and the everyday ways a local DAV chapter steps in when someone needs help fast. • the DAV mission and who it serves, including spouses and dependents • how chapter and national service officers support VA disability claims • annual recertification and what it takes to stay trained • what “power of attorney” means for filing and managing claims • what happens at a DAV state convention and why elections matter • the new Kansas sales tax exemption for certain 100% disabled veterans • emergency help a chapter can provide, from bus tickets to rent support • the Elizabeth Dole Act and a way some Vietnam era vets can check for free dental • monthly meetings, community events, and how new members can join They just go on the website and do that. Yes, d'a v dot org. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Daphne McNally from Adabus about how local public transportation connects people across Manhattan and the surrounding counties with fixed routes, curb-to-curb rides, and regional service. We also share practical tips for first-time riders plus what’s changing next, from better stops to new software and possible microtransit. • ATA bus services across Riley, Pottawatomie, and Geary counties • Fixed route buses plus curb-to-curb scheduled rides • K-18 Connect regional service and how it’s working • Why public transportation means access, freedom, and independence • Rider patterns and the stat that 55% ride to work or school • Stop and rider upgrades including shelters and digital sign readers • East West Express and how limited stops speed trips • Ridership trends and why weather affects demand • New software plans and what microtransit could look like • How to ride for $1, use passes, and ask drivers for help • Using Google Maps, the Transit app, and printable route maps at www.fhata.org GMCF CFAs
We talk with Virginia Rodriguez of the Manhattan Area Resettlement Team about what it really takes to help refugees build stable lives in Manhattan and the surrounding area. We also dig into how fast changing policies and public narratives are shaping fear, opportunity, and day to day reality for the families MART serves. • MART’s role as a refugee resettlement agency serving a 50 mile radius around Manhattan • How a volunteer led Afghan resettlement effort grew into a staffed organization • Behind the scenes work at the Damon Runyon House headquarters and why paperwork drives the process • Policy shifts affecting refugees including SNAP cuts and upcoming Medicaid changes • Legal status realities alongside rising fear of deportation • Washington Post reporting focus on human stories and Afghan women’s lived experience • The Estherbrook Scholarship and why higher education support matters • Volunteer needs including a volunteer coordinator and an English buddy style community connection send us an email to infoallieswelcome.com GMCF CFAs
We talk with Dr. Sarah Barrett about the YES! Fund and how a community-funded grant model builds safe, engaging after-school programs for youth across Manhattan. We trace the fund’s roots back to the 1993 flood, the moment local leaders listened to young people, and how that choice has led to more than $6.3 million in support over 30 years. • what the Yes Fund is and what “YES” stands for • why youth engagement matters outside school hours • how the 1993 flood recovery shaped youth priorities • examples of programs funded, from sports to leadership to creative exploration • how the Yes Fund differs from other GMCF grants through community donations and matching • the Kansas State University College of Education partnership and why it matters • results to date and what the funding makes possible for local kids Folks can contribute to the Yes Fund throughout the year, but our 2026 campaign begins on July 12th, and that will run through September 7th. Folks can send a check to GMCF, P.O. Box1127, Manhattan, Kansas, 66505, or donate directly at mcfks.org at the YES! Fund tab, and check the Manhattan Mercury each week for donor names and program stories. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Elizabeth Nelson about how USD 383 Early Learning keeps working through the summer and why now is the time to apply for preschool. We break down the July 16 in-person application day, what “kindergarten readiness” really looks like, and how one central application connects families to inclusive support. • Summer learning and year-round enrollment work in USD 383 • July 16 application day details and what families should bring • How the program supports ages three to five not yet in kindergarten • Funding options including Head Start, at-risk grants, and fee-paying slots • Fall-to-spring growth in early literacy, numbers, and social-emotional skills • One-stop application model that replaces multiple waiting lists • Head Start’s comprehensive services that support the whole family network • What a typical preschool day feels like and why routines matter Get online, fill out an application, and get in contact with us to attend our July 16th application day at 2600 Kimball at College Hill Early Learning Center, and you can find out more at USD383.org GMCF CFAs
We talk with Tom Roberts about how the Engineers Foundation of Kansas turns donations into hands-on STEM opportunities for students across the state. We dig into robotics, MathCounts, Future City, and why AI makes critical thinking more important, not less. • what the Engineers Foundation of Kansas is and why it exists • how statewide support strengthens the engineering pipeline in Kansas • using grants for Lego Mindstorms kits and MathCounts memberships • why robotics teaches logic, design, teamwork, and accountability • how the Little Apple Cyborgs reached national competition with community fundraising • how Future City builds engineering thinking plus public speaking and leadership • what students say years later about the impact of early STEM programs • why AI is a tool that still requires math fundamentals and verification • how we support educators directly with teacher and professor awards • how match partners and community giving fuel the work Kansasengineer.org is the place to go Remember Philanthropy Today, wherever you get your podcast GMCF CFAs
We catch up with Jack Lindquist on how the Flint Hills Regional Leadership Program recruits and trains leaders who understand the whole region, not just one town. We talk through who qualifies, how the program is funded, and why class projects turn networking into real community change. • recruiting for the 2026-27 class and why the program looks for motivated, growth-minded leaders • eligibility across Geary, Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabaunsee, Morris and Fort Riley, including people who work in the area • the value of a diverse cohort for better listening, decision-making and problem solving • how Fort Riley strengthens the region through economic impact and long-term community ties • program history and the shift toward regional thinking beyond city limits • tuition, scholarships for small business and nonprofits, and the role of underwriters instead of tax dollars • the online application, curriculum dates, and the short recorded intro that replaces an interview • class projects and the Ogden youth center example of sweat equity unlocking faster progress Go online at frlp.org and go into the apply menu link. GMCF CFAs
We welcome Brent Sigman as the new executive director of the Flint Hills Volunteer Center and hear why he’s bringing a boots on the ground mindset to volunteer coordination. We talk through where the biggest needs are right now, how we build stronger community partnerships, and how we can bring more young people into volunteerism. • Brent’s local background and the path from public service and theatre to nonprofit leadership • A hands-on approach to storm cleanup and showing up early for community needs • Building and rebuilding partnerships with local organizations across Manhattan • How we connect volunteers with opportunities and why education improves retention • Why the mall location helps visibility and makes it easier to walk in and ask • Youth outreach through a K-State football camp and early volunteer education • Current volunteer gaps including medical transportation drivers and lawn care help • Festival of Trees planning and the need for a strong committee Flint Hillsvolunteer Center.com is uh the website. Our phone number is 785-776-7787. Mine is director.fvc at gmail.com. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Deb Klutz of Homestead Ministries about long-term, holistic care for adult female survivors of sex trafficking in Manhattan and Celina. We dig into why trafficking is underreported, why some survivors seek faith-based support, and how the community can offer practical help that makes recovery possible. • Homestead Ministries’ residential model and what holistic long-term care looks like • Why many survivors ask for faith-based recovery and spiritual support • How highways, large events, and local conditions can increase trafficking risk • Why the numbers look “low” and how fear drives underreporting • Klutz’s description of SRA claims and why higher-structure care may be needed • Success stories after one to three years of care and the impact of stable housing • A leadership pipeline that equips graduates to lead anti-trafficking work • Concrete ways to help now through mentoring and household supply donations homesteadministry.org GMCF CFAs
We talk with Gail Urban and Willie Thomas from the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Foundation about how better parks, stronger programs, and smarter funding can lift a whole community. We dig into scholarships that help kids participate, plus the July 4 cardboard boat regatta that turns fun into long-term support. • why the foundation forms and what it funds for Manhattan Parks and Rec • How the Steel and Pipe Ballpark at Seco Park changes youth sports and tournament travel • What happens when the quality of life sales tax sunsets and why maintenance planning matters • how facility sponsorships and local business support create sustainable funding • Star Spangled Spectacular details, including the cardboard box regatta and corporate challenge • what it feels like to volunteer coach and why relationships matter as much as wins • how the scholarship program works, including free and reduced lunch discounts • the scale of scholarship need and the push toward an endowment model Go to the Manhattan Parks and Rec Foundation website and you can also go to July4mhk.com GMCF CFAs
We talk with Erin Dragotto from the Museum of Art and Light about why the Picasso experience feels so powerful when you see the full creative timeline in one place. We also dig into how arts access, school partnerships, and citywide collaboration can help Manhattan grow as a destination for culture and community life. • what it means to see Picasso’s work in context with his life and creative range • how long the Picasso display runs and why timing matters • the transportation reimbursement bus grant for grades 3 to 8 • Why removing barriers is the fastest way to expand arts education • how arts and culture support tourism and economic development • museums working together through Museum Month and future partnerships • early attendance numbers and how visitors are finding the museum • Manhattan High students are building a full exhibition with “Planet Oket’ra" You can always find out more at your website, which is artlightmuseum.org. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Melissa Solden and incoming principal Jared Taylor about what makes Manhattan Catholic Schools feel joyful, mission-driven, and deeply connected to the wider Manhattan community. We also run through the biggest events and simple next steps for families and supporters who want to tour, enroll, donate, or volunteer. • Jared Taylor’s path from English teacher to incoming principal • Discernment, faith, and choosing Catholic education after public schools • Why Manhattan feels like a big small town • The 38th annual golf tournament and what it funds • The annual auction date and why it matters • Second graders partnering with 4-H on a community garden • Celebrating 10-year and 25-year staff milestones • Pre-enrollment, school tours, and how enrollment works Manhattan Catholicschools.org. Sign up, do whatever, learn, tour, engage, yes, support. Pray. GMCF CFAs
We talk with Little Apple Splash organizer Kitty Pursley about the dock diving competition returning to Blue Earth Plaza and why it is one of the most fun free events to watch in Manhattan. We break down how the sport works, what makes this year special, and how local partners help bring a national-level canine competition to town. • what Little Apple Splash is and why it is family friendly • how Big Air, Extreme Vertical, and Speed Retrieve work • the scale of the setup, from dock length to pool size • how the sport spread through Doc Dogs and national events • June 12 to 14 competition dates plus the June 11 kickoff party • world champion Crystal McLaren returning for a fourth year • Aggieville Brewing’s Chili’s Bomb Brew honoring a retired military working dog • community support that makes the weekend possible, from Visit Manhattan to the fire department • silent auction fundraising, including online bidding and on-site items • event schedule, waves, finals, and America 250 features like presenting colors GMCF CFAs