Board of Directors

The Republic County Community Foundation is operated by an all volunteer board of 9-15 members from Republic County. Their dedication, knowledge, and passion for communities in Republic County are what drives the Community Foundation.

Lesley Popelka, Chairperson
Matt Dowell, Vice-Chairperson
Tim Gottschalk, Secretary/Treasurer
Bruce Ball, Board Member
Susan Childs, Board Member
John Eickman, Board Member
Kathy Johnson, Board Member
Luke Mahin, Board Member
Bill Navis, Board Member
Jeff Thompson, Board Member
Mark Tipton, Board Member

Recent News

Community foundation awards scholarships

July 21st, 2020

Heather HansenHunter HartnerJessica JensenTrevor MartinHayley PiroutekMcKenna ReevesBrianna SjolanderTobi Wilber Community foundation awards scholarships BELLEVILLE, Kan.— The Republic County Community Foundation has awarded over $15,000 in scholarships to area students for the upcoming academic year. This includes six scholarships that are being renewed for recipients from previous years. The Amos and Joyce Blecha 4-H Scholarship is for seniors graduating from a Republic County high school who are involved in 4-H. Jessica Jensen, Courtland, and Hayley Piroutek, Belleville, each received a $250 scholarship, and Tobi Wilber, Belleville, received a $500 scholarship. The Johnson-Granstedt Memorial Scholarship is for graduating high school seniors in Republic County, with preference[...]

Community foundation accepting applications for fall grants

July 15th, 2020

Community foundation accepting applications for fall grants BELLEVILLE, Kan.—The Republic County Community Foundation is now accepting applications for fall grants. Online applications are due Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Last fall, a windstorm in Belleville blew a tree over in City Park and destroyed one of the biggest slides. This was one of the more popular components of the park, that hundreds of youth regularly utilize. With support from the community foundation, the City of Belleville was able to purchase and install a new tube slide. "We were trying to decide how to replace it or what to do. Thankfully the community foundation helped us purchase the replacement slide. This will be well used by[...]