Rice County Community Foundation Launches the Community Fund, Empowered by Legacy Gifts from Carl Dudrey and Kenny Knight

The Rice County Community Foundation is thrilled to introduce its newest initiative, the Community Fund, made possible by the generous legacy gifts from Carl Dudrey and Kenny Knight. This transformative grant program is set to empower and uplift the communities of Rice County.

Mike Petijean, who worked alongside Kenny Knight for over 31 years, recalls Knight as a true embodiment of dedication and commitment to Lyons and Rice County. Petijean shared, "I had the privilege to witness Kenny's unwavering dedication and commitment to Lyons and Rice County. As a founding director of the Rice County Community Foundation, Kenny collaborated with like-minded individuals in our community to fulfill their dream of making Lyons and Rice County a better place to live."

Carl Dudrey, another remarkable individual, made a profound impact on the establishment of the Community Fund. Carl Dudrey and Jeff Laudermilk purchased First Bank over 30 years ago inspired by the same vision, locally-owned businesses have a duty to improve the community. “What a perfect fit for banking!”, said Jeff Laudermilk, in speaking about Carl’s legacy. Laudermilk added, “And in creating an estate plan that made sure all the growth of his investment would be gifted back in the most impactful way possible, Carl Dudrey took “giving back” to the highest level. His gift to RCCF was the largest in its history, and his wish was to create an endowment that would forever empower local organizations that make the most impact on the quality of our lives, here in Rice County.”

The Community Fund will support projects and programs that serve the community, align with the mission of the organization, and contribute to the overall betterment of Rice County. This program will be divided among entities in each community based on population. The types of grants funded will include:

• Projects or programs that directly benefit the community and advance the organization's mission.
• Seed funding to initiate or establish new projects, programs, or organizations, including operating expenses.
• Capacity building activities that strengthen organizations, such as investing in technology and equipment, providing professional development and training opportunities, and hiring additional staff to implement new programs.
• Capital improvements, including the construction or renovation of facilities.
• Endowment funds to provide long-term and sustainable support for organizations or programs.

To ensure fairness and broad impact, projects and programming will be prioritized over operational expenses and salaries. Applications that align with the mission and vision of the Rice County Community Foundation will receive additional consideration. Projects with matching funds will also be prioritized.

There is no maximum limit for grant requests, but no single entity can receive more than half of their community's grant dollars. Rice County-wide programs must apply for funding within a specific community, encouraging collaboration and community engagement. Total grantable dollars for each community are as follows: Alden: $3,515, Bushton: $5,850, Chase: $11,415, Geneseo: $6,800, Little River: $13,600, Lyons: $104,050, Raymond: $2,450, and Sterling: $64,785.

Eligible organizations include non-profits, schools, municipalities, townships, libraries, Chamber of Commerce, Main Street programs, County departments, and churches.

The Rice County Community Foundation invites organizations throughout Rice County to explore the opportunities provided by the Community Fund. By harnessing these grants, we can collectively honor the legacies of Carl Dudrey and Kenny Knight, working together to create a thriving future for all residents of Rice County.

To apply, please visit ricecountycf.org/apply-for-a-grant. Organizations will create a portal login and apply online. The application will be open from August 7^th – September 29^th. The grants will be awarded on October 30^th, more details to come. For questions, please contact the RCCF office at 620-257-5630 or office@ricecountycf.org.