South Central Community Foundation in Pratt Kansas

More insight into the South Central Community Foundation, SCCF, is given in an interview with Fred and Nancy Kerr. 

As founding members, they have been involved in SCCF, in many capacities, since the beginning. In 1994, the Kerr’s were approached by Pratt Community College, (PCC) and Pratt Regional Medical Center (PRMC) with the idea that eventually became SCCF. Both PCC and PRMC brought to the table the time, leadership experience and knowledge to help organize a community foundation. 

Those initial meetings were discussions around developing a rural community foundation, similar to those found in larger cities. The intent was to create a practical means for community members, including those who had moved away, to be able to keep resources in their hometown area. The group realized that it would be important to extend this to surrounding counties. As Fred mentioned in the interview, those counties had the same need for a foundation to manage and distribute donated resources to benefit all their communities. One unified foundation looked like a great resource for all counties involved.

In 1995, those ideas and conversations were realized in the formal organization of SCCF, encompassing seven counties. All the counties, through the means of the SCCF, are now better equipped to keep assets at home for the youth and all the community. 

Funds for the philanthropic efforts of SCCF are generated in several ways. A primary one is that of endowments. An endowment may be in the form of dollars, landholdings, or other items of value. The Foundation then invests the endowment; the grant money is generated by the return on the investments. Also, individuals may donate amounts of finances not intended for endowment. All donors may, if they wish, designate to what type of grant the gift is to assist. 

When people can direct how their gift is used, they are able to know it is impacting their community/county on a local level. We all can have an impact on our communities, no matter how small or large the gift. Of course, giving can occur in ways other than with finances. Volunteering is one of those!