ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
The Scott Community Foundation is a public charity dedicated to strengthening our communities through charitable giving, scholarships, grants, and community investment. We work alongside donors, community leaders, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to address local needs and create opportunities that will benefit future generations.
As a community foundation, our mission is simple: connect people who care with causes that matter. By bringing together local resources and local leadership, we help ensure that generosity continues to make a meaningful difference right here at home.
WHAT IS A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
Simply put, a community foundation helps people make a difference in the place they call home.
The Scott Community Foundation brings together donors, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to support the causes and opportunities that strengthen Scott County and the surrounding area. Through scholarships, grants, charitable funds, and community projects, we help connect generosity with local needs.
Because we are locally governed and community-focused, every gift and investment has the potential to create lasting impact right here at home today and for future generations.
WHY A COMMUNITY FOUNDATION?
What makes the Scott Community Foundation unique is that our work is guided by local people, local needs, and local generosity. Gifts entrusted to the Foundation stay connected to the community, supporting causes and opportunities that matter most to Scott County and the surrounding area.
Our volunteer Board of Trustees, made up of local leaders, helps guide the Foundation's strategic direction and stewardship of charitable assets. This local leadership ensures that the impact of every gift remains rooted in the community it was intended to serve.
HOW WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE
OUR HISTORY
The Scott Community Foundation history began in 1987 as the Scott County Health Care Foundation, with a purpose of advancing health care needs in the community. Over the next 13 years, the organization raised nearly $400,000 through bake sales, auctions and dances to help meet the health care needs of the community.
Seeing a need to expand the Foundation’s mission and support for the community, in 2000 it was decided to better meet the needs of the overall community by amending and re-establishing as a community foundation. While health care remains a significant area for Foundation activity, the new structure allowed the Foundation to expand its philanthropic interests to include education, recreation, history, the arts and other special projects. Scott Community Foundation is a special type of nonprofit organization – its whole purpose for existence is to create and build endowed funds, the proceeds from which are used in perpetuity to benefit Scott County and the surrounding area. Unlike “private foundations” such as the Gates, Carnegie, and Rockefeller Foundation, the Scott Community Foundation is a “public charity”. This means the majority of the assets are received from local individuals, organizations, and businesses.
Because most of the funds held are generated locally, it only makes sense that local leaders decide how those funds are managed. The volunteer Board of Trustees, comprised of Scott County Leaders, guides the Foundation’s strategic direction and establishes policies for investment management, grant making, and operations.
Generous community support and sensible investment management have enabled the Scott Community foundation endowment to reach nearly 9 million dollars. The proceeds from these funds will continue to be used in perpetuity to fund postsecondary education scholarships and community projects in accordance with donors’ intentions. Since 2000, Scott Community Foundation has distributed more than $13.5 million back into the community through grants, scholarships, and other special projects.
MEET THE FACES OF THE FOUNDATION
Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts has served as the Scott Community Foundation Executive Director since March, 2008. Prior to this position, Ryan served a non-profit organization in the child welfare field for ten years. Ryan’s duties for community foundation are to facilitate, coordinate, and develop the Scott Community Foundation in line with the mission statement. His wealth of knowledge has been a huge asset to the Scott Community Foundation. When he is not working, Ryan enjoys spending time with his family and watching his kids play sports.
Amy Shirley
Hello. My name is Amy Shirley. I am the Foundation’s Office Manager. I was born and raised, and also raised my 3 kids in the small farming community of Moscow, KS. My previous experience is in Agriculture, growing up on the Family Farm, Education, as an Elementary School Office Manager for 12 years, and in Healthcare as a CNA.
After spending much of my time here over the last two years, I moved to Scott City permanently in August of 2021.
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A few of my favorite things are Summers at the lake camping and jet skiing, Winters in the Mountains snow skiing, long weekend adventures with Tom, and visiting my 3 kids Alexandra, Briannah, and Trenton.
Mariah Gilmartin
Hi! My name is Mariah Gilmartin and I am the Community Development Coordinator. I am originally from Wichita, KS, but I moved to Scott City in July 2025. I earned my Associate's Degree at Hesston College, where I played softball for two years. I later received my Bachelor's Degree at Wichita State University in Graphic Design. I am loving being a part of the Scott City community and am looking forward to continuing to grow, learn, and serve the community.
Outside of work, I enjoy watching whatever TV show I'm currently obsessing over, playing on my Xbox, hanging out with friends and family, running my Etsy Shop, Marked by Mariah, and spending time with my boyfriend, Jackson, and our two dogs.
