Philanthropy Today
Philanthropy Today
Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation on the GMCF Community Hour Show Episode - 246
We talk with Leslie White, director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation, about how Bison, Beef & Bourbon funds exhibits, programs, and a new outdoor classroom to serve learners year-round. We clarify the roles of foundations vs. cities, share event details, and explain how to bid or donate even if you can’t attend.
• Difference between the Discovery Center and the 501(c)(3) foundation
• What past Bison, Beef & Bourbon proceeds funded
• Why the outdoor classroom matters and phase one timeline
• event date, time, venue, distilleries, food, cigar demo
• ticket options, tables, and online purchase links
• remote bidding for the silent auction and close time
• Kansas Community Tax Credits for $250+ gifts
• region-wide mission across the Flint Hills
• Leslie’s favorite space and what it means for kids
• how to attend, reserve a table, or donate
Gather your friends, reserve a table, and get your tickets at flinthillsdiscovery.org or the Foundation’s Facebook page. If you can’t attend, register for the auction only, bid online, or donate $250+ to leverage Kansas Community Tax Credits. Please call the Foundation with any questions.
Philanthropy today is brought to you by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. In this episode, we feature a recently broadcast segment of the GMCF Community Hour, as heard on News Radio KMAN. We are back with the GMCF Community Hour here on News Radio KMAN. We have the opportunity to talk with a lot of folks that are in the nonprofit community. And typically, we um you know surround our discussions with events that they are putting together. Our guest is no stranger to the program. She's a delightful addition to the community. Her name is Leslie White. She is the director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation. Welcome back to the GMCF community hour, Leslie.
SPEAKER_01:Hi, thanks for having me.
SPEAKER_00:Well, we've got uh I and and and I think one of the things I'd like to do first off is differentiate for us the difference between the Discovery Center and the Foundation, because I think that that's pretty important for everybody to know.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. So um the foundation is truly we we are separate. Um our job is just to support as the 501. So um, although my office is in the Discovery Center, um, which kind of makes it even more confusing, um, we, you know, I am not a city employee. Um, I I work for the foundation. So we are the 501c3, and my job is to solely support um the Discovery Center in any way we can. So we like to help win with the traveling exhibits, we like to help, especially with um the educational components, um, programs, um, and so forth in that in that regard. So we are not by the city. We we are separate. Um, so even though we're in the building, we're we are separate.
SPEAKER_00:So okay.
SPEAKER_01:So this event is isn't tied into the city. Um, this is a foundation event that we're going to talk about today.
SPEAKER_00:And you have utilized, you know, proceeds from fundraisers, such as this and other means of of giving for some really substantial aspects of the Discovery Center. What are some of those?
SPEAKER_01:So um, in years past, um, the Bison Meethan Bourbon especially has gone to like the second floor renovation project, so prairie playscape. Um, last year we we put the proceeds towards stepping into the prairie. So it was a temporary exhibit um that was here for about six months. But the unique umness of that project was that the projectors that are actually installed in the Discovery Center are there permanently. So um the equipment piece is always here, and so we can always bring that exhibit in and out of the Discovery Center as kind of needed. Um, so we use it as a temporary exhibit. However, it is always a piece of the Discovery Center, if that makes sense. Um so that's kind of unique. Um, normally a temporary exhibit comes into the space and then leaves, um, but this one the city actually owns now. So um so those are kind of some of the bigger projects that uh Bison Beef and Bourbon has helped fund. And then this year is is no different. It's gonna go to um the outdoor classroom renovation project that we were kind of in the process of. Um the night of the event, we're going to kind of make a big announcement about it because we're gonna be entering phase one. So we're gonna kind of make a big announcement um on how we're gonna move forward with it. So um, no different than years past. We're we're trying to complete that funding and um hopefully that night will be our final push and um and make that that project um a reality that will open next fall.
SPEAKER_00:There are so many fun things involved with your bison beef and bourbon event. And let's let's talk about some of the specific specifics. It's coming up in just a matter of weeks, October 23.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. So this year we're trying to make it bigger and better. Um, each year, that's always our goal. So we are moving it back to the Stanley Stout Center. Um, we just feel like that is such a unique building um and kind of just ties in with our ranching community. And so um, not that you need to be a rancher to go to this event. Um, it's a great night for all. So um we will have four different distilleries there, um, a couple of new ones this year. So we will have Horse Soldier and Boot Hill like normal. Um, Jay Regal from Kansas City will be there, and then Speedy Trap um will also be there from El Dorado. So we're excited to have all of them. Um, we will have beer and wine, um, which so if you're not a bourbon drinker, we'll have you. Um bison and beef and bison and beef will be our main course for the evening. And then we also are gonna have a cigar rolling demonstration.
SPEAKER_00:A cigar rolling demonstration.
SPEAKER_01:Yes. So you cannot smoke cigars on the property. Um, and and just for everyone to still be able to enjoy the atmosphere, we're not gonna allow um any smoking at the event, but you will be able to take them home. So those will be there and available to our guests, but you can watch them, you can learn about um how to roll a cigar. Um, she'll she'll be teaching it to anybody who wants to learn. Um, and then you can take them home if you would like. So kind of a unique idea. Um, and a lot of times, you know, cigars tie in with bourbon. So we thought that that would be a cool experience for anybody who wants to learn.
SPEAKER_00:Okay. So let's talk a bit about the specifics, location and tickets.
SPEAKER_01:Yeah, so Stanley Scout Center. Um, the event will start at 6 p.m. Um, and we try to get everybody out the door um or kind of wrapped up by nine o'clock. We know it's a Thursday night and we know that people have work on Friday. So um you're welcome to stay longer, but we try to have everything wrapped up by nine. Um we tickets, the best way to find them is it's an online platform. So you can either go to the Discovery Center, Flint Hills Discovery Center website, or you can also go to the Flint Hills Discovery Center Foundation's Facebook page. So you'll find the link to buy tickets on either one of those platforms.
SPEAKER_00:Okay. Now, I understand that you know there's obviously a lot of things that are going on. There are other events that go on October 23, and there are a lot of people that, you know, have conflicts, but you do not necessarily have to be present in order to participate or to to help support.
SPEAKER_01:Absolutely. So we do want to to extend it to anybody who wants to participate or wants to help support. So um there is an option on the registration that if you can't be present to win, um, it's kind of like a free ticket. So that just gives you the option to register for the auction part. Um, so then you can bid on any of the silent auction items. Um, we we normally launch that a few days before. So around October 24st, um, those auction items will go live. You can kind of start bidding and then it will end on October 23rd at 8 p.m. So if you are not present and you win a silent auction item, I'll reach out to you and we can coordinate pickup from that point. So that way you can still support um the event if you would like to. That also does tie in to the fund the need portion, which is going to be the outdoor classroom. So um, like I previously mentioned, the outdoor classroom is a project that we are building. Um, it's gonna kind of enclose a classroom area and also make like a boardwalk and some other elements right outside of the Discovery Center to give us another location to hold classroom, um, not only for youth but adults as well, and learn more about the Foothills. Um, since the Discovery Center only has one classroom, we did in 2019 put a classroom outside, but we do live in Kansas and there's rain, there's snow, there's elements. And so this will um, you know, give us space that helps with those the weather and and make it more inclusive. Um and so there is kind of a unique opportunity available for the outdoor classroom space. Um, if individuals, especially anybody who doesn't or can't attend the event, if they would want to donate to that outdoor classroom space, um if you give a donation of$250 or more, um, they can also use it for our Kansas Community Tax Credits program, which is available until the end of the year. So that in is kind of another incentive to donors. Um they get a little return on their donation, um, but it also helps um enhance a project here for the youth programs, um, well, all programs, even adult programs here at the Discovery Center.
SPEAKER_00:So you know, there's no shortage of activities there, and it's really, you know, a jewel in our community. And I know that um, you know, because of what you do with this, and I've been a part of um the event in the past, and it's it's very special. It's it's fun, it's lighthearted, but there are so many people that we have not just here locally, but but this is something that that transcends Manhattan, Riley, Pottawatomie, Wabunsey, Morris counties. It goes way beyond that. And I know that you have a lot of supporters that are, you know, within that, what is it, 22-county region of the Flint Hills. And and and I think that that says a lot about uh you know what you do there.
SPEAKER_01:We really try to bring in the whole Flint Hills region. Um, you know, that is our mission here at the Discovery Center, is is to talk about this whole ecosystem and and the beauty of it. Um we we want to strive in that mission and we want to teach especially the youth um how incredible and how wonderful this area is, because a lot of us don't realize how important it is, and if we don't maintain it, how it's not gonna last. And so um, especially when we talk about this outdoor classroom, we want to be teaching the next stewards about this beautiful ecosystem. And so that's kind of our purpose. And so, yes, this event is um one of those times that it's so fun to see how many people and how many communities come um or counties come together for this event. Um, because you do you get them from all over. Um the like radius brewing, for instance, you know, they're gonna come up from this event. Um and I think that's wonderful to have, you know, somebody from Emporia kind of coming to this event because they believe in this mission as well. So um just as you speak on it, it's it's not just a Manhattan thing. We do, we we love that everybody in Manhattan believes in us, but we also love that there's other areas around that also believe in our mission.
SPEAKER_00:Yeah. Well, we've talked about a lot of things. I think we've covered most of our topics here, but so let's just uh ask you if you were to pick one favorite aspect about the Flint Hills Discovery Center that appeals to you, Leslie White, what would that be? A tough question, I know.
SPEAKER_01:That my my favorite part is going down on that second floor. I think the second floor will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first project I got to do when I started here. Um, but I love watching the kids and I love watching them explore and um and see their faces and seeing how they interact um and how they don't realize that they're learning why they're playing. So um I love it. I go down there every day just to kind of take a break. Um, but I I love that we have so many people that help support um completing that area that they believed it was it was a worthy cause. So we're very grateful for everyone who made it happen.
SPEAKER_00:You still have tickets available.
SPEAKER_01:We do have tickets available. So gather your friends, um, reserve a table. I always advocate for that. Get get some of your buddies together. Um, it's the best way to go. You get a discount anyway. So if a group of you are gonna go, um, find eight of you, gather a table, reserve a table. You don't have to be a business to reserve a table. Um, and um I'll I'll help you and get your discount and get a table and come out for a great evening. Make it a little friend date night, a co-worker date night, whatever you want to do. So um, but we would I would love to help you, so please call the foundation if you have any questions. Um, but we hope everybody can join us.
SPEAKER_00:And you can get there and you know, navigate the uh Flint Hills Discovery Center's website, which is Flint Hillsdiscovery.org, and get your tickets online. I suppose you can probably just walk in and and can you get tickets there at the counter?
SPEAKER_01:At the Discovery Center, yes. We can help you at the Discovery Center.
SPEAKER_00:Awesome. Lastly, always a delight. Thanks for the work that you do on behalf of the community and the Flint Hills Discovery Center. I know it's a rewarding thing for you, and uh and it's just uh a pretty good fit for for for the Discovery Center and and for you. So congratulations, good luck with uh ice and beef and bourbon.
SPEAKER_01:Well, thank you. Well, good to see you, Dave, and congratulations again.
SPEAKER_00:Oh, thank you. Thank you. Well, I'm I'm pretty excited for me, too. And up next, uh, we got Kathy Ray going to be joining us here on the GMCF uh community hour, and uh she is with the Crisis Center, and they have uh a new project that we're gonna learn a little bit more about. It's always a delight to have Kathy here uh on the GMCF Community Hour, which is brought to you by the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. By the way, in case you would like to know more about the foundation, check out the website. There's all kinds of great information, mcfks.org. Back with Kathy Ray in just a moment on K Man.