New ‘Pratt Nery Charitable Fund’ established at the Foundation

Hoxie, Kan. -- The Sheridan County Community Foundation (SCCF) is pleased to announce the creation of a new Donor Advised Fund (DAF) established by Hoxie resident Roberta “Bobby Kay” (Pratt) Nery. This philanthropic fund provides Nery with a meaningful way to support the charitable organizations she loves—both locally and beyond—while leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a flexible charitable giving vehicle that allows donors to make a tax-deductible contribution to establish a fund, then recommend grants from the fund to qualifying nonprofit organizations over time. Donors can be actively involved in their giving during their lifetime, while also having the option to name successor advisors to continue recommending grants in the future—or leave the fund in the hands of the Foundation to steward in perpetuity.

The “Pratt Nery Charitable Fund” was launched through the Hansen Matching Initiative, a regional philanthropic effort designed to encourage the growth of permanent charitable funds across Northwest Kansas. Through this initiative, the fund is receiving a total of $3,000 in matching contributions—$2,000 from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and $1,000 from the Sheridan County Community Foundation.

“I wanted to create something that would keep giving long after I’m gone,” said Nery. “Establishing this fund now gives me the chance to support causes close to my heart, and it brings me peace knowing it will continue making a difference in the future.”

Born and raised in Hoxie, Bobby Kay (Pratt) Nery has deep roots in Sheridan County. She is the eldest daughter of the late Fred and Helen Pratt and sister to Les Pratt and Harry Joe Pratt, both of Hoxie.

A 1960 graduate of Sheridan Community High School, Bobby Kay earned both her Bachelor of Science (1964) and Master of Science (1971) degrees in Education from Kansas State University. She married Ron Nery in 1971 and spent much of her adult life in Grapevine, Texas, where she enjoyed a fulfilling career as a physical education teacher.

Bobby Kay and Ron raised two daughters: Dr. Amy Nery Schulte (husband: Dr. Michael Schulte) of Springfield, Missouri, and Lucy Nery of Hoxie.

Though she spent many years away, Bobby Kay never lost her connection to her hometown. She returned to Hoxie in 2011, and her love for Sheridan County—combined with a strong belief in charitable giving and community development—inspired her to establish a donor advised fund with the Sheridan County Community Foundation.

“We are incredibly honored to help steward Bobby Kay’s charitable legacy,” said Karl Pratt, Executive Director of the Sheridan County Community Foundation. “This fund will not only support important causes during her lifetime, but it will also provide resources to meet community needs for generations to come. The matching dollars provided through the Hansen Matching Initiative help multiply that impact.”

The Pratt Nery Charitable Fund joins a growing number of endowed and non-endowed funds at SCCF that enable individuals and families to give back in meaningful and lasting ways. Grants from the fund will support organizations and initiatives that align with Nery’s passions—from education and community betterment to health, the arts, and beyond.

Creating a fund during one’s lifetime allows for personal involvement in charitable giving and provides an opportunity to model philanthropy for family and future generations. As Nery put it, “It’s the perfect way to give back to the places and people that have meant so much to me, now and forever.”

For more information about how to establish a Donor Advised Fund or other charitable giving vehicles with the Sheridan County Community Foundation, contact Executive Director Karl Pratt at (785) 677-5090, email director@growsheridancounty.org or visit www.growsheridancounty.org.

SCCF is an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation based in Bird City. The foundation seeks to encourage, prudently manage, and distribute charitable contributions to improve the quality of life of Sheridan County residents, now and in the future. To learn more, contact Pratt at 785-677-5090, director@growsheridancounty.org, or visit www.growsheridancounty.org. Connect with SCCF at www.facebook.com/sheridanccf.