For more than 20 years, Christy Tustin has been executive director of the Golden Belt Community Foundation (GBCF), serving four counties in central Kansas.

In a few weeks, she will leave this post to work at the state level while continuing to advocate for community foundations and philanthropy all across Kansas.

Tustin notified the GBCF Board of Directors and staff members that her last day is Sept. 23.

Her new title will be executive director of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations; Tustin served on KACF’s first board of directors.

She will remain in Great Bend and work remotely.

“In June of 2003, local community leaders gave a young professional the chance to return to her hometown to help lead GBCF,” Tustin recalled. “I will be forever grateful for this opportunity to be part of the Foundation’s growth throughout Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties.

“I will look back with a warm heart on our many success stories,” she continued. “Together, we built a strong community foundation with more than $30 million in total assets and more than 200 funds for deserving non-profits.”

Tustin appreciates this steady growth, “especially during the early years as we participated in the Kansas Health Foundation GROW I and II challenges. I can drive almost anywhere in our four counties and find a project in which we were involved or assisted with grant funding.

“The best memories,” she added, “will be the individuals and families I have come to know while helping them accomplish their philanthropic goals.”

GBCF was founded in 1996 and by 2003, it had $1 million in assets. A Founding Donor Campaign led to an influx of funds from 37 donors.

Those that followed in these donors’ philanthropic footsteps include dozens of individuals that have served on the board of directors.

“I have been so fortunate because everyone has been supportive,” Tustin commented. “GBCF’s growth can be attributed to the board’s vision and guidance, along with day-to-day staff support.

“The Golden Belt is fortunate to be home to a significant number of charitable individuals, families and businesses. My successor will be well served by listening to their ideas, while surrounding yourself with people who have a diverse set of skills.”

Tustin also noted she is honored to be chosen to lead the Kansas Association of Community Foundations, which has 107 organizations as members.

“Playing a role in helping lead this great organization will be very rewarding,” she commented. “Kansas community foundations have come so far in the last two decades because of talented people working hard to build permanent community resources and connecting donors to philanthropic opportunities.”

Kara Jecha,

GBCF board president

Kara Jecha, GBCF board president, acknowledged it was “a bit of a shock” when Tustin shared the news about her resignation.

“But after thinking about it and looking over the past 20 years, Christy’s move to the next level makes sense,” Jecha said. “She demonstrates such passion for empowering people and building a strong future for the communities she serves.

“Christy works tirelessly to build strong endowments in the Golden Belt, with the help of her capable and enthusiastic support staff. She can use her experience to support community foundations all over Kansas, including ours.”

Jecha also noted she is not surprised that a state organization selected Tustin for her leadership skills.

“The board of directors offers our best wishes to Christy in her new venture,” she said. “We thank her for building a strong Foundation, which will help us continue to support our four counties today and far into the future.”

At more than $30 million in total assets and more than 200 funds under management, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996. Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford.  For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.