Community Foundation 101

What it is, why it matters, and how SVCF works

If you've ever wanted to give back to your community, to support local schools, strengthen nonprofits, create opportunities for the next generation, or ensure the place you call home continues to thrive, you're not alone.

Many people feel that pull to help, but aren't always sure how to do it in a way that's meaningful, sustainable, or aligned with what matters most to them. That's exactly where community foundations come in.

So, what is a community foundation?

At its heart, a community foundation is a nonprofit organization created by the community, for the community. It serves a specific geographic area and exists to connect generosity with local needs, both for immediate needs and far into the future.

Community foundations help individuals, families, businesses, and organizations:

• Give back in ways that reflect their values

• Build permanent charitable funds, known as endowments

• Support a wide range of causes and community priorities

• Respond to changing needs over time

Unlike single-purpose nonprofits, community foundations are designed to be flexible and forward-looking. They don't focus on just on issue, they support the whole community, guided by local leadership and donor intent. A community foundation isn't a bank, a one-time grantmaker, or a fundraising arm for a single organization; it's a long-term partner built to serve the evolving needs of its community.

How Solomon Valley Community Foundation began

Solomon Valley Community Foundation was established in 2013 after the community-led Solomon Valley Cinema project sparked a larger realization: when people come together around shared goals, local generosity can do far more than any one project alone.

The early momentum led to a broader vision and, eventually, a successful capital campaign that helped position the Foundation for long-term sustainability and impact. What began as a desire to "do more" has gown into a trusted philanthropic partner for Mitchell County.

Today, Solomon Valley Community Foundation:

• Manages more than 70 charitable funds

• Has surpassed $10 million in assets

• Has awarded over $7.6 million in grants and scholarships since its inception

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer board of 12 local leaders and supported by a small staff of two, an intentionally lean structure that keeps decision-making local and focused on stewardship, relationships, and impact.

What does a community foundation actually do?

While the work may look different day to day, it all centers around one purpose: strengthening the community through thoughtful philanthropy and connection.

At Solomon Valley Community Foundation, that work includes:

• Partnering with donors to help them give in ways that reflect their passions and priorities

• Managing charitable funds through professional investment, ensuring long-term growth while preserving donor intent

• Building endowments that provide reliable, lasting support year after year

• Awarding grants and scholarships to nonprofits, schools, and community initiatives

• Connecting people, ideas, and resources to address local needs and opportunities

To support this work, SVCF is an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, providing access to professional investment management, administrative support, and best practices, ensuring funds are managed with care, transparency, and long-term vision.

Understanding how grants are awarded

One common area of confusion is how grant decisions are made, and who makes them.

At Solomon Valley Community Foundation, grants generally fall into two categories:

Donor-directed grants come from donor-advised, designated, or field-of-interest funds. In these cases, donors or fundholders recommend where grants are distributed, supporting the causes and organizations that matter most to them.

Foundation-directed grants are awarded through competitive or strategic grant processes guided by the Board of Directors. These grants are made possible through funds like the Community Impact Fund and are designed to address community-wide priorities and emerging needs.

Both approaches are essential. Together, they allow SVCF to honor individual generosity while also responding thoughtfully to broader community goals.

Why endowments matter, especially in rural communities

One of the most powerful tools a community foundation offers is the endowment.

An endowment is a permanent charitable fund where the original gift is invested, and a portion of the earnings is used each year to support grants and scholarships. The principal remains intact, creating impact not just once, but forever.

For rural communities, this kind of permanence is extremely beneficial. Endowments help ensure that:

• Local nonprofits have dependable, long-term support

• Scholarships are available year after year

• Community priorities can be addressed proactively, not just in times of crisis

In short, endowments turn generosity into a lasting legacy.

The many ways people give through SVCF

There's no one-size fits all approach to giving, and that's where community foundations can really shine.

Solomon Valley Community Foundation offers a variety of fund options, including:

• Donor-Advised Funds for flexible, ongoing giving

• Designated Funds support specific organizations or causes

• Field-of-Interest Funds support specific cases or geographical locations

• Organization Funds created by nonprofits to support organizational goals and sustainability

• Scholarship Funds to invest in students and future leaders

Each fund reflects a story- a family honoring a loved one, a donor supporting a cause close to their heart, or an organization investing in its future.

A foundation built for everyone

One of the biggest misconceptions about community foundations is that they're only for people with significant wealth.

The truth is, you don't need millions to make a difference.

Many funds can be established with modest initial gifts and grow over time. What matters most isn't the size of the gift, it's the intention behind it.

Whether you're a lifelong resident, a business owner, a family thinking about the future, or someone simply looking for a meaningful way to give back, Solomon Valley Community Foundation exists to help turn generosity into lasting impact, right here at home.