The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026. This is the third part of CFSEK’s new story series honoring the 25-year history of the organization, while also looking ahead to the next 25 years of positive impact in Southeast Kansas.
To learn more about the founding of the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas (CFSEK), you have to hear from the people that were involved in and around the founding. Lynda Wilkinson is one such person. Lynda, previously President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce, was among a small group of community leaders contacted by the Kansas Health Foundation with a challenge opportunity.
“In early 2001, we were contacted because we were identified as a city that had a strong community leadership program through our chamber of commerce,” Wilkinson said. “They were looking for communities with strong community leadership to help them establish a community foundation for the benefit of those communities. Our challenge was simple: raise $300,000, and that would be matched by the Kansas Health Foundation to help our new community foundation become self-sustaining within a few years.”
After some initial discussion, a leadership team was convened to discuss options. “That initial group was so important,” Wilkinson said. “We needed a clear vision, and that’s what our team offered.” There was concern about how to raise money and how to maintain momentum. As Lynda put it, “we were caught up in the logistics of it. Then Rita (Bicknell) said, ‘What have we got to lose?’ And the rest was history!”
Later, in 2006, the foundation’s assets were nearing $7 million, and so the idea of the “7 by 7” campaign began! “I walked around with a 7 Up can, talking to everyone about our goal and the foundation’s work,” Wilkinson said. “By the end of the campaign, everyone in the community knew our goal of reaching $7 million in assets, and we accomplished it thanks to community involvement. I think that’s the story of CFSEK, setting a goal, and then having really dedicated people and incredible donors to help get us to that next level. It’s like a game!”
When asked how she feels about 25 years of impact in Southeast Kansas, Wilkinson said, “I can’t believe how fast the foundation has grown, and how quickly time has gone by! I remember worrying about getting $7 million, and now we are over $75 million in assets! I think that is a testament to how this community steps up when a cause is worth supporting. We just make it happen! I hope people understand that this is about leaving a legacy from the community today to benefit our future, because community foundations are forever.”
The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas awarded over $2.8 million in grants from all foundation funds in 2025 and has facilitated over $28 million in total granting to Southeast Kansas since its inception in 2001. CFSEK serves the region by providing donors with various charitable interests and encouraging charitable giving, which addresses present and future needs in our area. The Columbus Area, Fort Scott Area, and Girard Area Community Foundations are affiliates of CFSEK. More information about CFSEK is available at SoutheastKansas.org.