Patterson Family Foundation

Introducing Mark Remmert, the visionary CEO of Green Dot Bioplastics! 🌱 Mark is driving the future of sustainable materials with innovative bioplastics that help reduce our environmental footprint. 🌏Mark will join our panelists, Kerryann Kocher and Al Doan, next week at GEWKC! Join us at Union Station on November 19th!

This is a friendly reminder that the Community Foundation Capacity Building 2024 application will close this Thursday, October 31, at 12 noon, CT. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/gYV9XvXk

Krisha McLaughlin, a physician associate at Patterson Health Center in rural Kansas, knows that every mile matters when stabilizing patients in the emergency department. She also wants more medical students to have the uniquely rewarding experience of working in rural health. At the recent "Life as a Provider in Rural Kansas" panel hosted by the University of Kansas Medical Center, McLaughlin noted that Patterson Health Center serves around 7,000 residents, providing a multitude of services. The emergency department is, at times, responsible for stabilizing critical patients before they can be transferred to larger area hospitals. “Without this hospital, many critical patients would have to travel an hour or more without being stabilized first.” McLaughlin urges health organizations to foster interest in rural communities by offering mentorships, preceptorships, and outreach programs to medical students. “Kansas has more critical access hospitals than many other states, which means the opportunity to have a rich, fulfilling health care career serving an underserved community is immense,” she said. “The need for rural health care is great, and the communities are wonderful. The more students experience our marvelous communities, the more likely they’ll fall in love with them, too.” Patterson Health Center, a 62,500-square-foot hospital in Harper County, was completed in 2019 with inspiration and funding from the Patterson Family Foundation. The hospital reflects the commitment of founding donors Neal and Jeanne Patterson to removing barriers in health care, and Neal was a native of Harper County. The center is designed to offer high-quality rural health care, support trauma services, and promote community wellness. Read more about how the University of Kansas Institute for Community Engagement is inspiring future rural health providers: https://lnkd.in/gjX2knHA

Rural areas are often overlooked when it comes to philanthropic funding – but these communities significantly influence the people who choose to live and work in urban areas. Learn more about the Patterson Family Foundation’s interest in stronger synergies between rural and urban areas in “Patterson Family Foundation CEO will leverage rural, Cerner roots,” by Grace Mayer of the Kansas City Business Journal, Oct. 17, 2024.  https://lnkd.in/gHKC52Gi

The Patterson Family Foundation is pleased to introduce Chris Harris as Senior Director of Programs. As Senior Director of Programs, Chris will oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Foundation’s programmatic activities. Working closely with the Vice President of Programs and Strategy, this role will manage diverse grantmaking programs and initiatives. With more than 15 years dedicated to advancing rural communities, Chris has consistently demonstrated vision and leadership across the economic development and nonprofit sectors. As Senior Director of Growth and Strategy at the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC), he forged cross-sector partnerships to address pressing issues and secured new philanthropic and private sector funding to support statewide initiatives. At KLC, Chris led the organization’s development efforts, resulting in a 400% increase in foundation partnerships. Prior to this role, Chris was a Senior Program Officer at the Kauffman Foundation, focusing on developing strategic pathways to support entrepreneurship. He led the foundation's Inclusion Open initiative, establishing a $12 million portfolio to support entrepreneurs and rural communities, and developed capacity building programs, enhancing fundraising capabilities and revenue for participating nonprofits. Chris's career began at the Kansas Department of Commerce, where he directed a $40 million portfolio of community development initiatives across health care, the arts, and rural investments. He holds an MBA from Fort Hays State University and has contributed his leadership skills to the Kansas Association of Community Foundations, among other organizations. Chris earned the 2017 Innovation in Philanthropy Award, demonstrating his commitment to fostering resilient, thriving communities. Please join us in welcoming Chris Harris to the Patterson Family Foundation. 

A friendly reminder from the Patterson Family Foundation ... If your organization is interested in the Rural EMS Program, you must first register in the Grants Portal by 5 p.m., CT, on Monday, Oct. 7. Applications close at 12 Noon, CT, on Thursday, Oct. 10. Learn more at grants.pffkc.org.

The Patterson Family Foundation is excited to announce that the Community Foundation Capacity Building Program is now open! This grant aims to help community foundations within the Patterson Family Foundation’s philanthropic catchment hire and sustain one full-time staff member for up to three years. The executives hired through the Capacity Building program can support the daily operational workload, develop strategic plans for their organizations, and expand the number of local donors while helping preserve community funding resources. The application is open September 25, 2024 – October 31, 2024 (Closes at 12 Noon, CST). Please note, applicants must register in the Grants Portal by 12 Noon, CST, on October 28, 2024. Learn more at grants.pffkc.org

There’s someone special we would like you to meet. Following a thorough search, the Board of Directors is pleased to introduce Maria Flynn as the President and CEO of the Patterson Family Foundation. Maria brings robust leadership and executive success across the health technology, entrepreneurial, and nonprofit sectors. She also has a deep understanding of the values held by rural communities gleaned from her Kansas farm upbringing. As an entrepreneur, engineer, and steadfast visionary, Maria reflects our organization’s core values and rigorous commitment to thriving rural communities.   Her ability to innovate in complex environments will guide the Foundation as we continue to focus on impact-driven, collaborative strategies for rural challenges. Maria’s recent experience as co-founder and Advisory Board Chair of Digital Health KC — a network of more than 100 companies united to solve health care's biggest challenges — demonstrates a thoughtful knowledge of both community connectivity and transformative best practices. Maria applies curiosity and diligence to every situation, from her early career at Cerner Corporation to her latest venture as a published author. She has led global health technology projects, developed start-ups, and offered her insights to nonprofit organizations, including serving on the Board of Directors for BioNexus KC. Maria earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, where she was a Herman Family Fellowship for Women in Entrepreneurship Fellow. She holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University and a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University. She grew up in Hays, Kansas, and lives in Kansas City with her husband, Rob Flynn, and children Declan, Teddy, and Remy. The Patterson Family Foundation is thrilled to have Maria’s guidance as President and CEO. Together, we will rise to the challenge set forth by our founding donors, Neal and Jeanne, to act strategically, make a long-term difference, and focus on unmet needs across critical areas like health care, education, and rural communities. 

Now Open! The Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program is a competitive grant to support EMS and first responder teams in rural Kansas and western Missouri. Funding may be used for equipment and protective gear, operational expenses, and training or certification for EMS staff. Please note: Your organization must first register in the Patterson Family Foundation Grants Portal by 12 Noon on October 7, 2024. Additional details are available at https://lnkd.in/gNRv_knM