OTTAWA, KANSAS, February 12 – COF Training Services received a $500,000 challenge grant from the Mabee Foundation in Tulsa, Oklahoma in support of its Thriftopia Blueprint for Empowerment, Employment & Inclusion Capital Campaign.
There are more than 4,300 intellectually or developmentally disabled (IDD) individuals in the state of Kansas who are forced to wait more than eight years for programs and services. This strains family economics, dynamics, and emotional and physical well-being. COF Training Services (COFTS) mission is to facilitate individual choice and promote independence of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The campaign delivers COFTS’ vision of economic independence through workforce development opportunities for people who are IDD by expanding, revitalizing, and refreshing the facility at its Thriftopia thrift store in Ottawa. This initiative will add jobs for clients, provide new stations for workforce training, improve distribution and merchandise processing, increase safety in all areas, advance ADA access which now limits many mobility-challenged employees, and provide more square feet of shopping space for people in need in the community. The facility will grow from 12,000 to 19,000 square feet.
“We are pleased to receive this gift from the Mabee Foundation. It brings vital resources into our region that help bolster the local economy and carry out COFTS mission to advance people who are IDD,” said Patrick Gardner, CEO. “We look forward to the completion of a successful campaign that will benefit the entire community. It is a win for all of us.”
This challenge grant period began in late January. To receive the $500,000 gift, COFTS will need to raise $1.1 million by January 14, 2026. Just over $2.3 million has been raised in support of the $3.4 million campaign.
Members of the Campaign Leadership Committee (CLC) and the COFTS Leadership team will be securing matching gifts to complete the campaign. To make a gift contact Joy Beatty or Patrick Gardner at (785) 242-5035 or jbeatty@cofts.org or pgardner@cofts.org.
COF Training Services was incorporated in 1968 to provide quality of life and long-term care for people who are intellectually or developmentally delayed (IDD). It serves just over 200 IDD individuals through day and residential programs, workforce development and training, and activities of daily living. It operates as a 501©3 and accepts donations in support of its mission.
Donate to the Blueprint for Empowerment, Employment & Inclusion today!