A new article in the Rural Health Information Hub by Allee Mead was featured today online, titled “Collaboration, Not Competition: Thrive Allen County’s Capacity Building Initiatives.”

“Rural organizations face many challenges in applying for grants, including few major foundations located in or familiar with rural areas and the perception that a smaller population area means a smaller impact. But one nonprofit in Kansas is showing just how mighty a rural organization can be. Since 2019, Thrive Allen County has brought over $28 million into the county for a wide variety of projects, including public transportation, grocery stores, hiking trails, and much more.”

 

Excerpt from the article.

The article features interviews with our CEO, Lisse Regehr, and our Deputy Director, Jessica Thompson, discussing the history of Thrive and our progressive growth over the years. It discusses the many aspects of the various work that we do throughout not only Allen County, but the state of Kansas.

“Thrive has taught us to think bigger as a town and a county,” Heard said. “We each have special assets and talents to share, and Thrive taught us to talk to each other more and — more importantly — to listen to each other.” 

 

Mary Kay Heard, Chairman of the Board of Iola Industries, Inc.

Read the full article on RHI’s website HERE.