Contemporary Award: Ken & Karen Ebert

Ken and Karen Ebert first became familiar with the Foundation when the investment firm that Ken worked at, Waddell & Reed, became a founding donor. The Eberts believe in teaching the next generation about giving back to the community, and thanks to their generosity Saline County fifth graders get to experience it first hand. In 2023, with a donation from the Eberts, 423 fifth graders were able to donate $10 to their favorite charity at Match Madness. Their idea inspired other donors to join them in 2024, making it so that 634 fifth graders from all Saline County school districts could make a mark in their community.

In addition to teaching fifth graders about philanthropy, the Eberts are taking the Give Back 5
Community Giving pledge by designating a portion of their IRA to the Foundation to establish a
donor advised fund. Upon their death, their children and grandchildren will get to manage that fund, continuing Ken and Karen’s legacy of giving while also making their own mark.