The Allen County Community Foundation remains in need of necessary funds to attract a $50,000 grant, organizers said Tuesday, and time is running short.
Susan Michael, foundation director, told the Register the foundation has attracted about $80,000 in donations dedicated for health care needs — still about $20,000 short of the $100,000 threshold necessary to earn an additional $50,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation.
While the Foundation has more than $80,000 coming its way, not all is dedicated for health care, and doesn’t meet the Health Care Foundation’s criteria.
County commissioners on Tuesday said they would decide at their year-end session, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, whether to support the foundation and, if so, by how much.
Commissioners were asked on Dec. 16 to make up the difference between what foundation members had raised to ensure a $50,000 grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, Wichita.
Tuesday they talked in terms of $20,000, as the amount needed, but also expressed reservations about where a county contribution would originate.
Commissioner Dick Works said he was reluctant to expend tax money in such a manner. Commissioner Tom Williams said in principle he agreed.
Commissioner Jim Talkington added that perhaps consideration should be given to a making a contribution to Allen County Animal Rescue Foundation. He mentioned $3,000.
Works again had pause, saying it, as well as the foundation, were started without input by elected officials, but now, with financial needs mounting, had petitioned the county to help out.
THE FOUNDATION got another boost Tuesday when Samantha Larney, who works at H&R Block, turned over a $5,000 grant from her company’s foundation to benefit three local agencies, Iola Rotary, Boy Scout Troop 55 and the McKinley Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization (see related story on A1).
Donations come in all shapes and sizes, noted Gary McIntosh, one of the foundation’s board members.
“We actually got a house given to us,” he said.
The house, at 707 N. Cottonwood St., had been in foreclosure, and a bank agreed to donate it, and a small stipend, to either refurbish it or tear it down.
A detached two-car garage is in excellent condition, McIntosh said.
“Either way, we come out ahead,” he said. “These are the types of stories we want people to know about.”
Larney said the Community Foundation was a natural thought as she decided how to donate the H&R Block funds. “It’s a good way to help several organizations.”
“That’s what the community foundation is all about,” McIntosh agreed.
