How The Topeka Community Foundation is Driving Lasting Change | Marsha Pope

We talk with Marsha Pope about how the Topeka Community Foundation grew from a $10,000 idea to a $120 million engine for local change and why the team moved from quick fixes to upstream solutions. We explore impact investing, mental health, housing, and the power of data to guide funding.• Origin story of the Topeka Community Foundation and Junior League roots• How donor-advised funds stay local and responsive• Endowments, spending policy, and grant making basics• From apples to upstream: reframing health through zip code data• Social determinants of health and Shawnee County mapping• Mental health, housing, community safety as health priorities• Impact investing examples, including fixing predatory contracts for deed• Leadership pipelines, student social enterprise, and collaboration culture• What Topeka needs for identity and civic pride• How to apply for grants or impact loans and who to contactFind us on Facebook and Instagram, and visit TopekaCommunityFoundation.org for grant guidelines and details________________________________________0:00 - Meet Topeka’s Community Foundation2:35 - How a $10K Idea Became $120M6:50 - What Donor-Advised Funds Do Locally11:30 - Marcia’s Path Into Philanthropy16:45 - Community Development Is Economic Development22:40 - From Apples to Upstream Solutions27:45 - Zip Code vs Genetic Code33:10 - Mapping Health and Targeting Need36:50 - Mental Health, Housing, and Safety Priorities_________________________________________Beyond the Podcast: 🎙️Be sure to follow our Topeka Insider Socials below and check out our website for additional stories and articles pertaining to Topeka, KSWebsite -- https://topekainsider.com/Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/topekainsider Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/topekainsider/Follow Your Hosts: 📱Follow both Justin & Jon on their personal socials to get connected. They would love to connect and answer any questions about the show or their day to day.Jon Griffith's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/thejongriffith/Justin Armbruster's Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/armbruster_jdFor Any Inquiries, please DM @TopekaInsider on Instagram!