Greater Kansas City Community Foundation

We want to hold your hand

Some moments are meant to be etched in the memory forever, aren't they? That's exactly what went through my mind as I watched Lindy and Eva walk into preschool together on Friday morning, arm in arm, in their matching navy blue dresses covered in watermelons, little tufts of blonde hair capturing every ounce of the summer morning sun.

Too bad my memory does not have the same capacity for other things, like, oh, the reason I went down to the basement, or the super important detail I was just about to relay to my colleague. At least when it comes to our family's charitable giving, I don't have to remember the last time I gave to my church, or my university, or my favorite charity. Nor do I have to search through tax receipts. The modest (very modest)-but-mighty Laura McKnight and Clay Barker Fund at the Community Foundation takes care of all of that for us. We have information at our fingertips, online, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and the folks at the Community Foundation are always willing to lend a hand if we have questions.

Save your memory for those Friday morning moments and organize your generosity through a personal or family foundation fund at the Community Foundation. Click here to learn more. An easier way could be right in the palm of your hand.

We've got it covered (with syrup??)

First graders pick up on a lot by watching their teachers. As I headed back to the office last week after our vacation, Ann asked me if I could just skip work and stay home. I told her, no, I couldn't just do that . . . . what would happen to the stack of mail sitting on my desk and all of the meetings scheduled on the calendar? "Get a sub!" she said.

You know, that is actually a really good point. Each of us is responsible for ensuring that someone else is trained to do our job while we are gone. We take that seriously at the Community Foundation. Every position engages in thorough "cross training" so that no single person has all the knowledge of a particular subject. That means you can count on us to help you this summer (and throughout the year), even if the person you regularly deal with is out. Don't hesitate to contact me directly at mcknight@gkccf.org if you ever are unsure where to direct a question.

Want to take a guess at Ann's favorite part of the trip? When I asked her that question, I was thinking of an answer along the lines of feeding the dolphins at Sea World, or perhaps floating down the lazy river on an inner tube. "My favorite part was the pancakes," she said. Oh well. Driving 800 miles for pancakes is still worth it. There's just no substitute for a family vacation.

It's Your Journey

"Are we there yet?" Uh, no. That was Olathe, girls. Sea World is about, oh, another 13 hours away.

What a perfect opportunity to post a little something about the Community Foundation's commitment to any timeframe a donor desires. After all, it's your philanthropic journey. Want to start a fund with just enough to cover the charitable gifts you've got planned for the year? That is perfectly fine. Planning an estate gift and need a "shell fund" that won't receive assets for 50 years? That's fine, too. Hoping to map out a tradition of giving in your family with a small foundation, just to see how it goes for a few years? Yep. That works for us.

The Community Foundation is here for you. No matter what the ride looks like, we promise excellent service and good company whenever you need some charitable advice.

Now, back to breaking up fights in the back seat. I think I'll just toss a bag of goldfish over my shoulder and declare it Sea World.