COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF ELLIS - 820 WASHINGTON ST., ELLIS, KS 67637
Phone: 785-726-2660  Email:

The Community Foundation of Ellis is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving local wealth so the communities in and around Ellis will forever remain an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family.

The mission of the Community Foundation of Ellis is to enhance the quality of life, in Ellis and the surrounding area.

The purpose of the corporation is organized under the laws of the State of Kansas for charitable, scientific, governmental, and educational purposes as set forth in its certificate of incorporation. 

What is a Community Foundation? 

Community foundations make up one of the fastest growing sectors of philanthropy in the United States today. They build and strengthen communities by making it possible for a wide range of donors to create permanent, named component funds to meet critical needs. Community foundations, through philanthropy that is visionary, diverse and inclusive, have become catalysts for improvement within urban centers and in rural settings.

Why is Ellis and USD 388 Better Served with a Community Foundation in Place?

It's called "Simple Math."
1. Raise one dollar locally
2. Take that dollar, and in some cases, seek 4 dollars from outside the area

Example: A community decides to raise money for a new community building that will cost $200,000. Without a foundation, the project needs to collect all $200,000 from local donations and fund raisers. If this project was run through the foundation, the project raises roughly $50,000 locally and can now seek grants from regional and national foundations to raise the remaining balance of $150,000. This does two things for the community: 1) The project is completed much faster. 2) The project has just brought $150,000 into the area from outside sources allowing the wealth of the community to spread. 

Fund Types

Whether you are an individual, nonprofit organization, corporation or group of individuals, there is a fund that can meet your philanthropic needs. Each fund with the Community Foundation of Ellis is customized according to the wishes of our donors.

The following are the types of funds we offer.
Unrestricted - The earnings from unrestricted funds are used by the Foundation for innovative programs designed to meet many significant needs and opportunities in our community.

Field of Interest - The donor specifies an area of interest, such as Community and Rural Development, Health, Arts and Humanities, Education, Recreation or Special Projects to receive the earnings from the fund.

Designated - At the time the fund is established, donor specifies a specific charitable organization to receive the earnings from the fund.

Scholarship - The donor or donors endow a fund and establish certain criteria for recipients of a scholarship. Scholarship funds are often established in honor or memory of an individual or group.

Donor-advised - The donor actively participates in grantmaking by suggesting recipients for the monies distributed from the fund.

Who Does the Community Foundation of Ellis Serve?

The geographic area served will include any patron who resides within or whose children attend USD 388.

Eligible recipients for the Community Foundation of Ellis are:

• non-profit organizations (recognized by the state)
• 501(c)'s
• government agencies
• tax-supported organizations
• individuals (scholarship awards)
• tax-exempt agencies

Community Foundation of Ellis Board of Trustees