YES! Fund
The YES! Fund, short for Youth Empowerment for Success, has been a crucial source of funding for various programs aimed at empowering the youth for over 20 years. Recognizing the need to address the uninspired youth activities in Manhattan, a committee was formed in 1993 to engage with the young population and understand their concerns. The committee discovered that many young people felt neglected by the community, leading them to express a desire to leave Manhattan as soon as possible. In response, the YES! Fund was established to support diverse opportunities aligned with the youth's needs, fostering their success, well-being, and sense of belonging in the community. The YES! program advisory board carefully reviews the fund's activities to ensure they positively impact youth development and academic achievement, with a strong correlation between young people's involvement in such programs and their overall success.
Manhattan is a city with excellent schools, but it is essential to acknowledge that not everyone experiences the same level of opportunity and well-being within the community. After-school programs supported by the YES! Fund plays a critical role in enhancing youth development and academic success. These programs have improved school attendance, goal-setting, decision-making, and relationships with teachers and authorities. Additionally, students studying to become teachers at Kansas State University actively contribute to the YES! Fund's initiatives by volunteering their time and expertise to coach, tutor, and collaborate with various organizations. The fund serves as a means to turn the innovative ideas of educators and administrators into realities, filling the gap left by limited school budgets. Administered as a component fund of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, the YES! Fund continues to significantly impact the lives of young people in the community.
Matching Donors
Every donation made to the YES! Fund is matched dollar for dollar by the following donors:
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1988 Jack Goldstein Charitable Trust
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Bob & Tracey DeBruyn
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Edward & Karen Seaton Foundation
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GMCF Goldstein Community Fund
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KS Statebank
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Lincoln and Dorthy Deihl Fund
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Memorial Hospital Foundation
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Russ Briggs / Briggs Auto Group
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The Manhattan Mercury
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The Master Teacher
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Ward and Brenda Morgan
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Connie Sink
To give by check
Please write your check out to GMCF
The YES! Fund is a component fund of the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation is a registered 501(c) (3) public charity (EIN 48-1215574) incorporated in the State of Kansas.
2025 YES! Fund Grant Recipients:
| Organization | Project | Awarded 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan | Before and After School Programs | $80,500.00 |
| First Tee - Manhattan | First Tee - Manhattan Programs | $9,500.00 |
| Flint Hills Volunteer Center | Connecting Students to Communities (CSC) | $9,000.00 |
| Girls on the Run of the Flint Hills | Financial Assistance Initiative | $11,000.00 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters | One-to-One Mentoring: Community-based Match Retention and Support | $23,000.00 |
| Manhattan Arts Center | MAC Youth Arts Education Programs | $10,000.00 |
| Manhattan Basketball Association | Breakfast Club and Club Practices Fund | $5,500.00 |
| Manhattan Marlins Swim Team | Manhattan Marlins Pool Space | $10,000.00 |
| Manhattan Mayhem Volleyball Club | Mayhem Scholarship Fund | $7,000.00 |
| Manhattan Public Library | After-school & no-school programs for children and teens. | $500.00 |
| Museum of Art + Light | Connecting Creativity – Student Exhibitions | $7,500.00 |
| Mustang Baseball | Indoor & Outdoor Facility Rental Fund | $6,000.00 |
| Pawnee Mental Health | Supporting Youth with SED | $7,000.00 |
| PUMA FC Manhattan | PUMA Scholarship Program | $3,500.00 |
| Coronado Area Council BSA | Growing Scouting in Riley County | $4,000.00 |
| The House Café | The House Café Teen Center | $9,000.00 |
| Wonder Workshop Children's Museum | Wonder Teens, Discovery Days, and After-School Wonder Club | $22,700.00 |
| KSU Modern Languages | ¡Cuenta cuentos!, and Celebrate Culture | $1,300.00 |
| Total | $227,00.00 | |
Grant Stories
Explore grant stories from the previous year below or discover Past Grant Stories
The House Cafe - 2024
PUMA FC Manhattan, Inc. - 2024
Pawnee Mental Health - 2024
Manhattan Marlins - 2024
Manhattan Basketball Association - 2024
Manhattan Arts Center (MAC) - 2024
KSU Department of Modern Languages - 2024
Girls On The Run - 2024
First Tee - 2024
Flint Hills Volunteer Center - 2024
Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan - 2024
