From the Chamber
As the holiday season approaches, nonprofit organizations across Central Kansas are invited to come together to strengthen community partnerships, coordinate resources, and identify opportunities to better serve individuals and families throughout the region.
The Central Kansas Nonprofit Network (CKNN), a task force of Central Kansas Partnership, will host its next quarterly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Barton Community College in Room F-30. Networking begins at 8 a.m., followed by the meeting from 9 to 11 a.m.
The gathering is open to nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, and team members from organizations throughout Central Kansas, not just Barton County. Both returning participants and organizations new to the network are encouraged to attend.
A major focus of the October meeting will be holiday assistance and community collaboration. As organizations prepare for seasonal programs, charitable giving initiatives, and increased requests for assistance, participants will have an opportunity to share information about their upcoming efforts and explore ways to work together more effectively.
Attendees are encouraged to bring details about their organization's holiday programs, including important dates, application deadlines, eligibility requirements, volunteer and donation needs, and referral information.
The discussion will also explore potential gaps and duplication in holiday assistance programs, including Angel Trees, Christmas assistance, and other seasonal services. By better understanding what resources are available and how families access them, organizations can identify opportunities to coordinate services, address unmet needs, and help ensure assistance reaches those who need it most.
Beyond holiday planning, the meeting will feature several important conversations focused on strengthening the region's nonprofit sector, including:
- Community Resource Guide: Discussing opportunities to improve awareness of and access to available services.
- Community Needs Assessment: Reviewing and discussing the Golden Belt Community Foundation's Community Needs Assessment and its implications for regional nonprofit efforts.
- Kansas Health Foundation Leading Health Workshop: Gathering input on the most valuable topics, goals, and outcomes for a potential local workshop focused on community health and leadership.
- Shared Grant Opportunities: Exploring whether a collaborative grant opportunity list would benefit participating organizations and how it could be maintained.
- Partnerships and Emerging Needs: Sharing agency updates, upcoming events, new initiatives, and opportunities for nonprofits to support one another.
The meeting will also provide time for open discussion, allowing organizations to share challenges, identify emerging community needs, and connect with others working toward similar goals.
The Central Kansas Nonprofit Network believes that stronger connections between organizations lead to stronger communities. By creating space for open conversation, shared learning, and coordinated action, the network seeks to reduce duplication, improve access to services, and maximize the collective impact of nonprofit organizations throughout the region.
Whether an organization serves families, youth, seniors, individuals facing hardship, or the broader community, its perspective and experience can contribute to meaningful regional collaboration.
Meeting Details
Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Location: Barton Community College, Room F-30
Time: 8 – 9 a.m.: Networking and social time 9 – 11 a.m.
Quarterly meeting
All area nonprofit organizations are welcome to participate.
To stay connected, share resources, and learn about future opportunities, nonprofit professionals are also encouraged to join the Central Kansas Nonprofit Network Facebook group at facebook.com/groups/centralkansasnonprofitnetwork.
About the Central Kansas Nonprofit Network
The Central Kansas Nonprofit Network, a task force of Central Kansas Partnership, is a grassroots alliance of nonprofit organizations united by a shared mission: to build stronger, more connected communities through collaboration, education, and resource sharing. By fostering open communication, identifying common challenges, and aligning efforts, the network works to reduce duplication, improve access to services, and create greater collective impact across Central Kansas. Drawing on more than 100 years of combined nonprofit experience, participating organizations empower one another through shared programming, joint initiatives, and mutual support.