Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation

10/27/2026

Clay County may be small, but our generosity has a BIG reach! 🌎

Did you know that donors from 13 STATES participated in our 2026 Gather for Good Match Day?

From Washington to South Carolina, California to New York, and plenty of places in between, people across the country came together to support the organizations and causes that make Clay County special.

Whether you call Clay County home today, grew up here, or simply have a connection to our community, one thing is clear: You don't have to live here to make a difference here!

We love seeing just how far the love for Clay County reaches. Thank you to every donor, near and far, who helped make Gather for Good 2026 a success!

P.S. And yes, your director is still reliving the amazing day and digging up stats! 🥰

10/22/2026

Every person has a legacy. It lives in the values we share, the people we support, the opportunities we create and the causes we help strengthen.

A thoughtful estate plan can help the causes you care about continue to thrive for generations. If giving back is part of the legacy you envision, CCCIF can help you explore ways to include your community in your plans.

10/21/2026

I know, I know… we're not quite ready to talk about the end of the year, but December 31 will be here before we know it!

If charitable giving is on your year-end to-do list, now is a great time to start planning!

Whether you're making a donation to your favorite local fund, considering a gift of grain, or exploring other ways to give, there are a few important dates and deadlines to keep in mind.

We've put together some helpful reminders to make sure your generosity counts toward the 2026 tax year!

Have questions? That's what we're here for! We'd be happy to help you finish the year strong while supporting the causes you care about right here in Clay County.

10/20/2026

What does community impact really look like?

It's more than dollars raised or grants awarded. It's the people, organizations, and projects that make Clay County a better place to call home.

Every donation, big or small, has the potential to make a difference. And thanks to the generosity of our donors and the hard work of our local nonprofits, we're seeing that difference right here in our own backyard!

Take a minute to watch and see what YOUR generosity is helping make possible.

This is what community giving is all about!

10/19/2026

Hundreds of community foundation leaders gathered in Wichita, KS, last week for the Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations!

Leaders from coast to coast gathered in our home state to talk strategy, share ideas, learn from one another, and find new ways to better serve the communities we call home.

One thing I've learned in this role is that you can never stop learning! It's encouraging to visit with others who are doing similar work, hear what's working in their communities, and bring a few new ideas back to Clay County.

I left Wichita with a notebook full of ideas, some great new connections, and a reminder of just how important the work of community foundations really is.

Grateful for the opportunity to represent the Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation, continue learning, and bring that knowledge back home to the community we love!

Pictured below is the crew that represented the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and its affiliates. Pretty lucky to be part of a group of people who care so much about the communities they serve!

10/13/2026

🍂 Year-end giving is right around the corner! 🍂

Can you believe we're already talking about the end of 2026?!

As the year winds down, many of us start thinking about the organizations and causes we want to support. But did you know there may be ways to make your charitable giving even more meaningful?

This month, we're sharing a few things worth thinking about:

Year-End Giving: A little planning now can make a big difference when it comes to supporting the causes you care about.

IRA Giving: If you're 70½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) may be a great way to support your favorite nonprofit while potentially receiving tax benefits.

Trusting Our Nonprofits: Sometimes the greatest gift we can give an organization is the flexibility to use funds where they're needed most.

At Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation, we're here to help connect your generosity with the causes that make Clay County such a wonderful place to call home.

Whether you've been giving for years or are just starting to explore your options, we'd love to visit with you!

Let's finish 2026 strong and continue building a brighter future for Clay County!

10/09/2026

🎉 THE FINAL NUMBERS ARE IN! 🎉

Clay County, YOU DID IT! 💙

Our 9th Annual Gather for Good Match Day is officially in the books, and I couldn't be more proud of this community.

64 participating funds. One incredible day of giving. And a whole lot of generosity!

Behind every dollar is a person who chose to give back. Behind every participating fund is a mission worth supporting. And behind this event is a community that continues to show up for one another, year after year.

To our donors, sponsors, participating organizations, volunteers, and everyone who helped make this day possible, THANK YOU! We couldn't do it without you.

And a special thank-you to the Patterson Family Foundation and to our Match Day donors for helping us make an even greater impact right here in Clay County.

Take a look at what we accomplished TOGETHER! 👇

The Strength of People. The Power of Community. 💙

10/08/2026

Today is DAF Day. So, what can your DAF do?

Quite a bit.

It can connect your generosity with causes you care about.
It can help you respond when needs arise.
It can help your family give together.
It can help you explore new opportunities to make an impact.
It can keep your charitable giving organized in one place.

And because DAF assets may be invested, your charitable dollars have the potential to grow over time — creating additional resources for future giving.

Your DAF has a job to do. What will you put yours to work doing?

Talk with the Clay Center Community Improvement Foundation today about starting your donor-advised fund or learn more about making the most of a donor-advised fund!

10/07/2026

Your DAF can help make generosity a family conversation.

A donor-advised fund can create opportunities for spouses, children and future generations to participate in giving decisions together. It can also become part of a longer charitable story, helping you build a legacy around the causes and communities that matter to you.

The grants you recommend today can make an impact now. The conversations you start around them can shape how your family thinks about generosity for years to come.

10/06/2026

Another fund of the foundation out there doing great work! Go support Clay County Animal Rescue and Education Center, Inc. tomorrow evening and let them serve you breakfast for dinner!

🍳 Breakfast for Dinner — and helping CCARE! 🐾❤️

Join us Wednesday, October 7 from 5–7 PM at the United Methodist Church Family Life Center for a delicious Breakfast for Dinner featuring biscuits & gravy, pancakes, sausage links, dessert and a drink!

💙 Free-will donations benefit Clay County Animal Rescue & Education Center (CCARE).

Come enjoy a great meal, bring your family and friends, and help support the dogs at CCARE while you’re at it! 🐶🐱

We hope to see you there! 🥞🍽️🐾