Greater Topeka Partnership Foundation

Causes: Economic Development

Mission: To provide sources of charitable support and provide funding for the establishment or support of educational, employment, economic and training opportunities designed to provide relief of the poor, distressed and underprivileged as well as to support the advancement of economics, economic planning and development to accelerate the quality and quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities.

Programs: To provide for the relief of the poor, distressed andunderprivileged through the establishment or support ofeducational, employment, economic and training opportunities designed to qualify such persons for employment as well as to support the advancement of economics, economic planning and development to accelerate the quality and quantity of economic growth and employment opportunities.

heartland visioning both leads and facilitates a process for community change. Today, vision partners are leading the urban development of a dynamic core for topeka. Our continuing projects that make up the core include redevelopment of our downtown, our riverfront and the north topeka arts district. As a facilitator, throughout 2013 we held twenty-one community meetings capturing the interests and concerns of our citizens. We trained over 100 people as effective facilitators who will focus on capacity building initiatives designed to training young leaders to run effective meetings within their organizations. We financially support community organizations such as: topeka safe streets, fast forward, entrepreneurial & minority business development and community advocates for social enrichment which focuses on empowering high school level disadvantaged youth. We are conveners of community-wide public private partnerships that build trust and cooperation necessary for change. Our visioning network of active individuals focus their efforts on the over-all well-being of our community and actively communicate our successes that enhance the wonderful quality of life we have here in topeka and shawnee county.

the first opportunity fund is a loan program created to assist businesses in need of working capital for expenses such as inventory, purchase of fixed assets, and building construction or capital improvements. The fund creates economic opportunity through job creation, expansion, strengthening and financing of small businesses, building capacity among entrepreneurs and increasing employment opportunities, especially for low-income persons and minorities, distressed communities and other underserved or disadvantaged persons and places.

712 innovations is an organization which creates a productive, welcoming environment where members are surrounded by technical, economic, creative and social resources. Members can access tools, office space and expertise to pursue creative ideas, products, and business opportunities. The organization enhances the vitality of the community and economy by creating a hybrid makerspace/cowork space for entrepreneurs to start and grow.