Patterson Funding Strengthens Local Foundations

For many rural community foundations, sustainability and growth can be challenging. Limited staffing, resources, and outreach capabilities often hinder their ability to fully serve their communities. Recognizing this, the Patterson Family Foundation provided critical funding to support the hiring and expansion of full-time Executive Director positions within several GMCF partner community foundations.

Now, more than a year into this initiative, Executive Directors are seeing transformational progress in their foundations and the communities they serve.

Strengthening Leadership & Expanding Community Impact

Each Executive Director's journey has been unique, yet all have seen the impact of having dedicated leadership in their respective regions.

• Ivy Stone at the South Brown County Community Foundation was the foundation's first full-time director, stepping into a role that had previously been managed entirely by volunteers. Since receiving Patterson's funding, she has helped the foundation increase its fundraising capacity and create its first-ever community grant program, ensuring rapid response funding for local needs.
• Connie Joy at the Sabetha Community Foundation transitioned from childcare administration to community philanthropy, bringing a fresh perspective on community needs. The Patterson grant allowed her to move into a full-time role, leading to more structured outreach, stronger donor relations, and increased nonprofit engagement.
• Grace Sammoury at the Atchison Area Community Foundation came from a background in education and admissions but quickly embraced the challenge of nonprofit leadership. Under her guidance, Atchison's foundation has grown its endowment funds and strengthened donor education efforts, helping to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Aimee Nelson at the Wamego Community Foundation has leveraged her background in real estate and networking to cultivate relationships with new and existing donors. She has worked to revitalize dormant donor-advised funds and increase participation in Match Day, ensuring that local nonprofits receive more substantial financial support.

Milestones & Achievements

Thanks to this investment in full-time leadership, these community foundations have seen remarkable growth:

• Record-breaking Match Days
  • Several foundations surpassed previous fundraising records, with Sabetha reaching $1.3 million in donations in a single day.
  • South Brown County celebrated its first-ever $100,000 Match Day milestone—a major achievement for the foundation and its donors.
• New Grant Programs & Funding Growth
  • Multiple foundations have introduced or expanded community grant programs, allowing nonprofits to apply for targeted funding for critical needs.
  • The Wamego Community Foundation saw its total assets grow by $1 million in just nine months, demonstrating increased donor confidence and engagement.
• Building Awareness & Community Trust
  • Having full-time staff means foundations are now better able to respond to community needs—whether by attending local events, strengthening relationships with donors, or increasing educational outreach.
  • More nonprofits are now aware of the funding opportunities available to them, leading to stronger partnerships and a greater impact on each region.

"Since we've had a full-time person, our assets have grown by $1,000,000 in a year," said Aimee Nelson, Wamego Community Foundation Executive Director. "People feel like they can come talk to us; they know us, and they trust us."

Looking Ahead

While Patterson's funding was designed as a three-year investment to help these foundations become self-sustaining, the impact is already clear. Each Executive Director is not only expanding their foundation's reach but also helping their boards establish long-term financial strategies to ensure continued success beyond the initial grant period.

This initiative has proven the power of investing in leadership—demonstrating that when community foundations have the resources to staff full-time directors, they can better serve their communities, fund critical projects, and create lasting change.

"Patterson sees the benefit of community foundations, but they also know how complex they are," said Grace Sammoury, Atchison Area Community Foundation Executive Director. "Their support ensures we have a sustainable structure."

As these Executive Directors continue their work, their stories show the importance of philanthropy, collaboration, and community investment—paving the way for stronger, more sustainable community foundations across Kansas.