The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas strengthens parishes, schools, and ministries across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas through grants that support mission and long-term sustainability. In 2024, CFNEK awarded grants to 16 Catholic organizations. One recipient, St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Lansing, used its grant to launch a successful new fundraising event that sold out, drew 150 attendees, and generated more than $15,000. Together, these grants demonstrate how strategic support can empower Catholic communities to grow and thrive.

In May 2025, the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas partnered with Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa to host a Wills & Trusts Workshop that brought together parishioners from the local community. Led by estate planning attorney Casey Connealy, the session provided guidance on thoughtful planning that supports families, parishes, and charitable giving. The strong parish response positioned Sacred Heart to benefit from more than $1 million in future gifts, demonstrating how education and stewardship can inspire lasting generosity and strengthen the Church for generations to come.

In rural northeast Kansas, Corpus Christi Parish in Mooney Creek and St. Mary Immaculate Conception Parish in Valley Falls are planting seeds of faith through the creation of new parish and cemetery endowments. Led by Fr. William Dun Dery, these close-knit communities are investing in long-term stewardship that will sustain parish life and sacred resting places for generations. Through planned gifts and faithful generosity, these parishes demonstrate how even small acts of stewardship can grow into enduring legacies of faith and hope.

Holy Trinity Parish in Lenexa has become a model of faithful stewardship through its strong commitment to legacy giving. By establishing a Legacy Society and a Planned Giving Committee, the parish has fostered a culture where gratitude, generosity, and long-term vision thrive. With ambitious goals, including growing endowments to support parish ministries and Catholic education, Holy Trinity helps families align faith with thoughtful planning. Through leadership, education, and witness, the parish is ensuring the Gospel continues to flourish for generations to come.

Casey Connealy’s faith and vocation are deeply intertwined. As an estate planning attorney and devoted Catholic, he helps families unite thoughtful planning with faith-filled stewardship. Through his work with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, Casey has guided hundreds of families in understanding how faith and finances can work hand in hand, inspiring generosity that strengthens parishes, schools, and ministries. His witness shows that legacy giving is not about dollars and cents, but about caring for family, faith, and the Church for generations to come.

For more than 30 years, the McGurren Family Endowment has supported Catholic education across the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Established by Ed and Nadine McGurren and carried forward by their son Steve, the endowment helps make Catholic education accessible for students like Amaya Wibbenmeyer and Madeline Klein. Through scholarships administered by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, students are able to grow academically, deepen their faith, and pursue their passions, ensuring a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and Catholic formation for generations to come.

Julia Nemec sees nursing as a calling driven by compassion, service, and a deep respect for human dignity. This past summer, she embodied these values as a camp nurse, prioritizing care and ministry over financial gain. Thanks to the Joyce K. Miller Scholarship, Julia can focus on her studies without financial strain, furthering her commitment to patient-centered care. With a passion for uplifting others and advocating for joy in her profession, Julia is determined to make a lasting impact in nursing and her community.

Mary Maher’s journey toward a nursing career is driven by a heartfelt desire to make a difference in pediatric oncology and the NICU, offering compassionate care to patients and families during their most challenging times. With the support of the Linda A. Hoover Nursing Scholarship, Mary has excelled academically, embraced leadership roles, and deepened her commitment to serving others through clinical training and community service. Her dedication to blending medical expertise with empathy positions her to create meaningful change in healthcare and beyond.

Cathy Colpitts, a parishioner of Most Pure Heart of Mary in Topeka, has made a lasting impact by naming her parish’s Endowment Fund as the beneficiary of her home’s proceeds in her estate plans. A single mother who once struggled to tithe, Cathy’s generous gift reflects her deep faith and gratitude. Facilitated by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, her contribution ensures enduring support for her parish, enabling her legacy of faith and service to benefit generations to come.

Church of the Ascension, founded in 1991 with 500 families, has grown into a vibrant parish of over 3,300 families. Known for its tithing-supported K-8 school, perpetual Adoration Chapel, and dynamic faith formation programs, the parish fosters spiritual growth and serves as a hub for archdiocesan events. With a $1.8M endowment established in 2006, Ascension supports its mission of hospitality, education, and outreach, embodying a joyful, transformative faith that continues to inspire and serve the community.

Marty and Beth Krebs exemplify faithful stewardship, dedicating their lives to serving their parish and community with love and generosity. Parishioners of Ascension since 1996, they’ve enriched countless lives through their leadership, mentorship, and compassionate service. Marty’s roles on boards and committees and Beth’s work as a spiritual mentor and hospice volunteer reflect their commitment to living their faith. Honored with the Deo Gratias Award, they inspire others to answer God’s call, creating a ripple effect of love and transformation.

The Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) empowers parishes and parishioners through workshops on smarter giving, estate planning, and tax-efficient strategies. In 2023-2024, CFNEK and the Catholic Advisors Network hosted 25 sessions for 724 attendees, covering tools like Donor Advised Funds and Qualified Charitable Distributions. These efforts have inspired impactful giving, including donor-advised funds and estate gifts to parish endowments. By fostering generosity and wise stewardship, CFNEK ensures sustainable support for the mission of parishes across the Archdiocese.

With support from a Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas (CFNEK) grant, a parish school launched "Thankful Thursday," a family-focused event centered on prayer, the Eucharist, and community, drawing 200 attendees. Additional grant funds supported the role of a Community Engagement Coordinator, who fosters connections between school and parish life through gatherings after All-School Mass. These initiatives, guided by faith and supported by CFNEK, are re-engaging families and strengthening the bonds of community within the parish and school.

Since its founding in 1946, Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish has prioritized education and community growth. Beginning in St. Vincent’s Orphanage, the school expanded with new facilities in 1950 and 2003. In 1990, the parish established an endowment fund, later growing to eight funds that support scholarships, youth activities, and parish needs. Finance Administrator Teddy Reiser emphasizes the importance of parishioner awareness and contributions, ensuring that these funds continue to sustain the church and school for future generations.

Jim Gill established the JFG Family Education Fund in 2022 to provide financial aid for families at Corpus Christi Catholic School. Inspired by his own lack of Catholic education, he sought to ensure future generations have access to faith-based learning. Partnering with the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, he created a fund designed to remain solvent indefinitely, offering annual scholarships and school support. His initiative will provide tuition assistance for over a century, strengthening Catholic education and supporting the Lawrence community.

John Caton and his family was honored with the 2023 Distinguished Family Deo Gratias Award by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas. Growing up in Holy Trinity Parish, Lenexa, KS, John faced financial hardships, but the parish supported his family. His Catholic faith shaped his life, from attending Bishop Miege High School to marrying Claudia and raising three children. Deeply involved in stewardship, John helped establish committees and endowment funds at St. Ann’s Parish. Grateful for the Church’s influence, he continues to give back to his community.

The 12th annual St. Thomas Moore Continuing Education Program, returned in person on June 3. The event provided a unique opportunity for legal, financial, and insurance professionals to earn CE credits in a spiritual setting. Highlights included Mass with Archbishop Naumann and expert discussions on ethics, estate planning, and financial strategies. CFNEK extends gratitude to all who contributed, making this event a meaningful blend of professional growth and faith-based learning.

The Catholic Education Foundation (CEF) has provided $28 million in tuition assistance over the past 25 years, making Catholic education accessible for students in need. Today, one in three students in the Archdiocese relies on CEF scholarships, which help families overcome financial barriers while fostering faith and academic success. CEF-supported schools strengthen communities, uplift families, and prepare students for bright futures. To support this mission and help transform lives through education, visit cefks.org to donate.

Don and Janice Arth founded the Heart to Heart Scholarship Fund to support young men and women pursuing priesthood or consecrated life. Inspired by Don’s personal journey—from seminary to military service and beyond—they recognized the need to give back. The fund, managed by the Catholic Foundation of Northeast Kansas, is primarily supported by The Master’s Cup Invitational golf tournament. Their mission is to ensure financial barriers don’t prevent vocations from flourishing. Donations can be made online at cfnek.org.

For 75 years, Donnelly College has provided high-quality, affordable Catholic education in Kansas City. Founded by Bishop George Donnelly and Sister Jerome Keeler, it emphasizes faith, academic excellence, and community service. Students benefit from robust support services, theology courses, and spiritual formation. Recognized for its diversity and affordability, Donnelly continues to expand opportunities for underserved students. As it looks to the future, the college remains committed to its mission of shaping lives through faith, knowledge, and service.