About

It all started over lunch between an accountant, an attorney, and an investment manager. Actually, the three of them had met for lunch several times over several years to discuss the same topic and shared frustrations. They felt it was time to do something to help people who wanted to make charitable contributions to the community but avoid the trouble and expense of establishing private funds or foundations. Then, at a final lunch in 1999, the trio decided it was time to get a group of interested citizens together to discuss the possible merits of starting a community foundation…

On Wednesday, February 3, 1999, Jim Gordon, Mark Knackendoffel, and Jim Morrison hosted a roundtable discussion regarding the establishment of a community foundation in Manhattan, KS. By the end of the same year, an executive board had been formed, bylaws approved, 501(c)(3) non-profit accreditation established, and assets of over $200,000 realized.