COLUMBUS, Kan. — The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK) has announced that the Columbus Area Community Foundation (CACF) has become an official affiliate partner.
"We are thrilled to become an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas," said Matt Case, president of the CACF Board of Directors. "This affiliation represents a significant step in our ongoing efforts to elevate our philanthropic impact and meet the needs of our community effectively. We are confident that this partnership will offer unprecedented value to our donors and strengthen our mission.”
The local Columbus Area Community Foundation Board of Directors will remain unchanged and will still direct all decisions related to granting, scholarships, and disbursement of money from CACF funds benefiting Columbus and Cherokee County.
One significant opportunity stemming from the partnership is access to CFSEK's investment services with Graystone Consulting, a division of Morgan Stanley, which offers tailored investment management solutions to clients. In addition, CACF will have access to CFSEK's Community Suite software, which includes a fund advisor portal and online management tools for both grants and scholarships.
By affiliating with CFSEK, CACF will now have the support of a full-time professional staff. CFSEK is already assisting with the development of a new website, and their experienced team will be able to assist donors with charitable giving needs and provide expert guidance on the most effective philanthropic giving strategies.
“CFSEK has been serving the entire Southeast Kansas region for over 21 years, and we are proud to have CACF join us as an affiliate,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Since our inception in 2001, CFSEK has granted over $760,000 in Cherokee County. We have been a longtime supporter of this area, and now, by leveraging our combined resources, we can continue to improve the level of philanthropic support for Columbus and Cherokee County.”
The Columbus Area Community Foundation was founded in 1991 with the mission of enhancing the quality of life in the Columbus area through philanthropic giving. The foundation aims to provide a way for individuals, families, and organizations to support the community and causes they care about most.
Since CFSEK waa founded in 2001 by a group of citizens interested in encouraging philanthropy and strengthening communities, it has awarded over $20 million in grants throughout Southeast Kansas. The Girard Area Community Foundation and Fort Scott Area Community Foundation are also affiliates of CFSEK.
