The year is flying by! We are happy to share everything that has been happening here at WCCF. Firstly, the Wichita County Community Foundation was one of ten community foundations selected to participate in the Community Accelerator Program. This program equips foundations with tools, resources, and leadership support to strengthen and grow local Giving Day initiatives. As part of this opportunity, WCCF was also awarded a $5,000 grant to support these efforts.

We kicked off our Spring Grant Cycle. This quarter’s focus for grant applications were Education & Youth, which included classroom innovation and enrichment, youth programs, and early learning and career readiness. $9,728 has been awarded for this cycle!

The grant recipients for the spring grant cycle are the following:

• $500 – This will help support the high school Nutrition & Wellness class purchase healthy food ingredients, basic pantry staples, and kitchen consumables.
• $875.60 – The 9th grade Physical Science rocket program that enhances the understanding of physics and engineering concepts through a hands-on rocket unit that includes payload design, 3D printing, and mass calculations.
• $750 – This will provide a book binding machine that both of the schools library can utilize to rebind damaged books, it will also provide funding to purchase new books for the high school library.
• $2,450 – VU Scholarship Program which allows local juniors and seniors in high school to see the financial assistance available to them because of their GPA’s and ACT scores.
• $2,000 – 8th – 10th grade students at WCJSHS will participate in a stimulation called Reality U to experience what it is like to “survive” on a budget as a 26 year old.
• $350 – This grants pays for WCES students to partake in the Body Venture which is an enclosed exhibit brought to our school with eleven learning stations about the human body encouraging healthy choices.
• $1,372.76 – WCES Music Department (K-6th Grade) will utilize these funds to purchase new music education equipment.
• $972.13 – The USD47 Horticulture program will use these funds to expand and include a student-led fall garden mum production initiative.
• $457.96 – WCJSHS Art Department for the purchase of two chomp saws for students to use.

Our summer grant cycle focuses on Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life, funding priorities include health and wellness initiatives, food security and basic need support, arts, culture, and community connection. Applications are now open and will be accepted until August 15th.

In May, we proudly awarded our annual scholarships to both current college students and local high school graduates from the Wichita County High School.

WCCF partnered with our local daycare center, Grow & Learn Childcare Center, to provide a match fundraiser. During the month of May, we raised $43,848.63 from the community. For every $4 raised, WCCF donated $1, this provided an additional $10,962.16. Our match grant ended on June 1st, but there is still a need for funding as they make some restructuring changes, if you would like to still donate, please reach out to our executive director on how to donate.

In case you missed it, we launched a volunteer initiative on our website! One of the most meaningful ways to donate in a small town is by volunteering. We are hoping to be able to connect those who want to volunteer with those that are in need of help, you can sign up to be notified of opportunities at the link above.

We hope all of our local farmers, ranchers, and harvest crews had a safe and bountiful harvest. Did you know that grain can be used as a charitable gift? Donating grain may provide tax advantages while allowing producers to support the local causes they care about. WCCF has accounts at every local elevator and we would be happy to discuss how grain can help in your philanthropic goals.

We’re so grateful for the continued support. If you have ideas, feedback, or would like to get involved, we’d love to hear from you.