How 26 Community Foundations in Northwest Kansas Found Their Voice—And What Others Can Learn from Their Journey

When Betsy Wearing set out to help establish a community foundation in each of the 26 counties in Northwest Kansas, she knew the road wouldn’t be easy. As the leader of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s community foundation initiative, she envisioned something powerful: a network of strong, local foundations—each one capable of sparking philanthropy and driving meaningful change in its county.

But early on, a common challenge emerged.

These new foundations weren’t struggling due to a lack of passion or people. The issue was more fundamental: they didn’t know where to start.

The Blank Slate Dilemma

Staff had just been hired. Boards had been assembled. Everyone was eager to make a difference. But key questions loomed large:

• How do we explain what a community foundation is?

• How do we inspire donors to give when they’ve never heard of us?

• How do we choose a starting point when everything feels urgent?

It wasn’t a matter of commitment—it was a matter of clarity. And without it, even the most enthusiastic foundations risked spinning their wheels.

Enter the Journey to Yes

At the National Conference for Growing Community Foundations, Betsy attended a session led by Lori Bower, President of BowerComm, on a framework called Journey to Yes. The presentation offered a structured, step-by-step approach to donor communications—built specifically for community foundations.

It was exactly the kind of clarity Betsy had been searching for.

She found Lori right after the session, and together they started sketching out an idea. The result?

The NW Kansas CF Marketing Accelerator—a program designed to give these 26 foundations not just training, but a communications roadmap they could actually implement.

A 3-Part Strategy for Clarity, Confidence, and Connection

The Marketing Accelerator unfolded in three key phases:

1. Journey to Yes: A Shared Starting Point

It began with a kickoff meeting and assignments:

• Define Goals: Each foundation clarified its purpose and priorities.

• Interview Stakeholders: Staff gathered insights through one-on-one conversations.

• Audit Peer Messaging: Foundations reviewed communications from peers to identify what worked—and what didn’t.

Next, staff and board members from each foundation came together for a two-day, hands-on workshop. They left with:

• A unified message platform that clearly articulated their impact.

• A full communications plan mapped out for the year.

• Practical experience implementing four essential fundraising campaigns.

2. Tools and Templates: Shortcuts to Execution

To help busy teams stay focused on donors (not content creation), BowerComm delivered:

• Pre-written email campaigns

• Ready-to-use social media posts

• Brochure and flyer templates

The foundations didn’t have to start from scratch—they just had to personalize and deploy.

3. Coaching and Collaboration: Ongoing Implementation Support

Even the best plan needs follow-through. So, BowerComm provided:

• Twice-weekly group coaching calls to troubleshoot challenges in real time

• On-demand email support

• A space for peer sharing, where foundations could exchange tips, ideas, and encouragement

Real Results in Real Communities

Though the program is still in motion, the results speak for themselves:

• More donor conversations and fund appointments

• Increased donations during Match Month

• New business sponsors for match pools

• Greater confidence among staff and boards

One foundation director shared this story:

“After implementing BowerComm’s marketing guide, I started sending out a monthly email drip. One donor responded to say they appreciated the update—and that they had $100K to drop by my office. That email definitely paid off in ways I could have never imagined.”— Molly Williams, Republic County Community Foundation

What If Your Foundation Did This—For Your Local Nonprofits?

The NW Kansas CF Marketing Accelerator was more than a program. It was a partnership built on clarity, structure, and support—and it’s a model that can be adapted for more than just community foundations.

Imagine offering an Accelerator for the nonprofit partners in your region.

What if your community foundation helped grantees and partners:

• Sharpen their messaging?

• Build stronger donor engagement strategies?

• Gain confidence in how they tell their story?

You could offer a Journey to Yes cohort tailored to the unique challenges of local nonprofits—with tools, training, and coaching that empower them to fundraise more effectively and deepen their community impact.

Whether as part of your capacity-building strategy or an extension of your community leadership work, this model creates ripple effects that go far beyond communications—it builds stronger, more sustainable organizations.

Want to explore how this could work in your community? Schedule a discovery call to learn more.