How the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation helps those in need
Our mission is to offer grants to nonprofit organizations that help at-risk children and adults improve their lives.
In addition, we continue Jo Zakas’ generosity to the Wichita arts community. The Foundation has funded live theater tickets for teens, art therapy classes for troubled youth, and community theater classes for marginalized adults and youth alike.
Encouraging Good Choices
Jo S. Zakas believed in helping young people succeed. Her belief in people continues through her foundation today.
The first grant was awarded by the reorganized Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation in 2019. Funds have been used for
- scholarships in leadership programs,
- backpacks full of basic self-care items, and
- programs to help students transition to online learning.
Help in a crisis
Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation grants funds to local social service agencies who help individuals and families improve their lives. Teens find employment, mothers find rides to training, and individuals get help learning English.
A variety of needs are supported through nonprofit organizations. We help in normal times and in a crisis.
Sometimes it’s the little things that can mean so much. Things that often get missed by larger agencies is where the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation helps the most.
We can help when the funds are for a small group of people with a specific need. We also help when the financial need is small. Some grants have been as low as $250 to help make a difference.
Grants have been used for teachers’ aides, childcare, educational pamphlets, and more.
Art Feeds the Soul
Throughout her life and wherever she traveled, Jo encouraged artists in their work. She loved them all from jazz musicians to theater groups to abstract painters. You would often find Jo in the audience enjoying every moment and helping those around her appreciate the beauty in it all.
Her art collection was eclectic from indigenous sculptures to a painting by the iconic 1960s and 70s actor Elke Sommers.
Jo’s love of the arts took over her soul as she became an artist and sculptor herself. As she learned more about the art world, she founded Artist Central. There she offered studio space and an artist gallery that many local artists used to advance their artistic careers.
Her love of art continues with the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation. We encourage appreciation of the arts by exposing people to the creative talents in our communities.
There is always another possibility.
Jo Zakas had many sides to her personality.
In the business world, she was a force to be reckoned with and her personal life was one of generosity and kindness.
Jo never forgot her childhood of being on her own at such a young age. She knew that the choices she made when she was young, determined her life and the successes she achieved. When faced with a road block, she always looked for other possibilities and encouraged others to do the same.
Because of her experiences, throughout her life she helped others. She often served as a mentor to young women in business and eventually coaching them throughout their career.
In 2003 she started her charitable foundation originally to help young women at risk of making bad choices. The foundation also supported organization who helped women and families build better lives.
When she passed away in 2016, her original Clifton Square Foundation was renamed for her.
The possibilities for people at risk go on in her honor.
Nonprofit Organizations
If you are a nonprofit organization who helps at risk populations improve their lives, look over our grant application. Maybe we can help.
This annual grant may be just the support you need to help your clients. Our grants normally fall between $500 and $5,000. The deadline to apply is in April.
Inquiries can be sent to jozakas.foundation@gmail.com.
The Board of Directors are volunteers. There may be some delay in responding.
Donations Welcomed
The Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. We offer grants to nonprofits in the Wichita area community that serve at risk populations. The list of our past grant recipients can be found here.
If you would like to help us help others in our community, please send your tax-deductible donations to
- Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation
- 6446 E. Central Box 115
- Wichita, KS 67206
