The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is celebrating its 25^th 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.

CFSEK’s Longtime Accounting Manager Retires

After a decade of service, the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas’ (CFSEK) long-time Accounting Manager, Kim Lynch, is retiring at the end of April.

Kim came to the foundation as an Administrative Assistant after being a paraeducator at Lakeside Elementary in Pittsburg. She began taking on accounting responsibilities early in her time with the Foundation, and she has been instrumental in upholding the Foundation’s commitment to financial stewardship. During her decade at the Community Foundation, she has helped oversee the growth of assets from $18 million to over $75 million today.

When asked about her biggest success in her time with the foundation, Kim said: “I’m just proud to have done the job and help continue to build trust in the Foundation and our work!”

“I think I’ll miss the connections with our amazing staff and hearing about the great work happening in our communities,” Kim said. “I have never minded coming into work every day when I feel like I get to help make a difference in our communities!”

Kim is looking forward to more free time and being a full-time grandma to her two young grandchildren in retirement. “My grandkids live in Kansas City, so I look forward to spending more time with them as they grow up!”

“Kim has been an integral part of the Community Foundation for the past decade,” said Devin Gorman, CFSEK Executive Director. “Her dedication and ability to manage our financial operations through years of significant growth have helped us build a high level of trust with all of our donors and partners. We will miss her cheerful attitude and presence in the office, but we wish her all of the best in her retirement.”

When asked about her greatest hopes for the Foundation’s future, Kim said, “I hope we continue to get our name out there and continue to make an impact in our communities. I look forward to seeing how CFSEK can build on 25 years of outstanding service to our region.”

Over the last month, Kim has been training CFSEK’s new Accounting Manager, Kayley Hartman, to take on her role.

“I am extremely confident that Kayley will be a great addition to the team at the Community Foundation. She is very knowledgeable and experienced in accounting and finance, and I know CFSEK is in great hands with her!”

CFSEK is hosting a come-and-go reception to celebrate Kim’s retirement and honor her decade of service with the foundation. On Friday, April 17^th from 3:00 to 5:30 pm, there will be light refreshments in the CFSEK office as we celebrate Kim’s incredible service to CFSEK and the communities we get to serve. Please join us!

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.

The Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas is celebrating its 25^th anniversary in 2026. This is the second part of CFSEK’s 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.

Kayla Joy was serving as the President of the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 2001. She was attending a conference in Wichita in early January hosted by the Kansas Community Leadership Initiative (which eventually became the Kansas Leadership Center). Kayla recalled a particular lunch session at the conference that she remembers fondly:

“We were just chatting over lunch when a Kansas Health Foundation representative casually mentioned a matching funds opportunity to benefit leadership in local communities,” Joy said. “I still laugh that it was so nonchalantly mentioned when it could mean so much to a community, but it stuck with me!”

The matching challenge mentioned that day was to raise $300,000 by the end of 2001, and those funds had to be housed at a community foundation. With a challenge to meet and no community foundation, work had to start quickly.

“I’ve found that if you want something done, you need to involve the right people. Namely, Lynda Wilkinson,” said Joy. “I went and presented her with the idea of doing this challenge and starting a community foundation. She jumped right on board, and we got to work getting a leadership team and laying out the groundwork! I also remember calling Judy Scudamore and talking to her about becoming the first executive director for the foundation, which was so amazing and she was a perfect fit!”

Kayla thought about where the foundation began, and seeing what it has grown to be over 25 years.

“When the foundation started, my daughter was just a baby, and now she has a baby of her own! Time flies, but the work of the foundation is for forever, so who knows where we will be in another 25 years!”

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.