17 Sep Foundation to Continue Youth Philanthropy Program
The McPherson County Community Foundation’s Voice in Philanthropy (VIPS) program is back for the 2026-27 school year, giving local students an opportunity to learn about philanthropy and discover how they can make a difference in their own communities.
This year, the MCCF team will work with fourth- and fifth-grade students in Smoky Valley and Moundridge to introduce students to the idea of philanthropy and the many ways they can give back. Through the program, students learn that philanthropy is about more than simply giving money. It can include volunteering, sharing talents and resources, supporting local organizations and identifying needs within their communities.
VIPS is designed to give students a hands-on look at how their actions can create an impact. By learning about local organizations and the needs they address, students are encouraged to think about the causes that matter to them and consider how they can become active participants in their communities.
Last year, students at Soderstrom Elementary in Lindsborg put those lessons into action. Students were given the opportunity to make small donations to local organizations, allowing them to experience firsthand how their contributions could support causes in their community. Students also volunteered their time by planting bulbs along the walking and biking path that travels through Lindsborg. Student were also provided with the opportunity to provide small donations to Lindsborg area organizations.
The McPherson County Community Foundation is continuing to work with school districts across the county to expand VIPS and bring the program to more students. As the program grows, MCCF hopes to give students throughout McPherson County the opportunity to learn about philanthropy and experience what it means to invest in the communities they call home.
Through VIPS, the Foundation hopes to help develop the next generation of community-minded individuals by providing students an understanding that even small acts of giving can have a lasting impact.