Impact Pratt

from vision to action

When IMPACT first appeared in the pages of Destination Pratt earlier this year, readers met three women with a bold idea: to create a new kind of service group for their hometown. Their mission is to enhance Pratt’s small-town charm through beautification, revitalization, and community connection. Their vision is to create a vibrant, welcoming Pratt the residents are proud to call home and visitors are inspired to explore.

This edition I wanted to get to know them and understand the “why” of IMPACT and the trio that is behind it all. Sarah Bondy, Kelsey Popovich, and Brenna Thomas bonded together with a passion to form a service group that is all inclusive and with hopes to make a significant difference in Pratt. They come together with diverse backgrounds: Kelsey, a lifelong Pratt Resident working in banking, Sarah, who moved to Pratt two years ago and works in education, and Brenna, a dedicated entrepreneur in the beauty industry. The three of them present with different skills and a passion for serving their community and wanted to get involved. Their vision for IMPACT is truly inspiring and courageous. They have been applying for grants and investing their time to develop IMPACT so their goals for Pratt can become a reality.

Revisiting the Story

In the first article, the women described how IMPACT- short for Investing in Meaningful Projects and Community Togetherness-was born from their desire to make lasting change. They knew Pratt already had strong organizations, but they also recognized a gap: nothing that fully reflected their vision of service, inclusivity, and intergenerational involvement.

Rather than joining an existing chapter of a national group, they chose to start fresh, creating everything from the ground up: a name, a mission, a logo and even their own membership structure. Theirs would be an organization open to all, with no dues, where families could serve together and children could see firsthand what it means to take pride in their town. As Sarah explained, “If it doesn’t already exist, we’re going to make it happen.”

Checking Back In

Several months later, we caught up with the women of IMPACT for an update, and its vision is taking shape. Their Facebook page has grown and perhaps the most exciting of all, their first big project is on the horizon: a community designed mural in downtown Pratt. They said “We are not just plastering art on the wall. The mural speaks to who we are as a town.”

They applied for the Kansas Department of Commerce's Office of Rural Prosperity for the funding of this project and with much excitement they announced that they were granted the funds to start moving forward with their projects. Sarah said “Because the state announcement was delayed, projects now have until next year to be completed. Our mural is planned for late spring 2026, but we will begin collecting pledged cash match donations and ordering supplies in the coming weeks.”

The mural will transform the Merchants Park band shell into a vibrant backdrop for community pride. Residents have already shared what makes Pratt special through a Facebook link that the community responded to and those responses inspired the design. The result promises to be more than art- it will be a visual story of Pratt, shaped by the voices of its people.

Beyond Aesthetics

The founders are quick to stress that projects like the mural or a community cleanup are not just about appearances. They are about the ripple effects.

A mural downtown could attract visitors who stop to take a photo-and then discover local shops and restaurants. A cleaner park or street could spark civic pride, encouraging residents to care more deeply for their own town. Even something as simple as repainting a bench or fixing signage might inspire a business owner to invest in a vacant storefront. Inviting others to be a part of this community and attracting the eye of new commers.

They said “It is not just about picking up trash or painting a wall. It is about what those actions create afterwords.”

A Focus on Togetherness

Equally central to IMPACT’s mission is togetherness. From the beginning, the group has wanted to involve people of all ages, especially families. Children are encouraged to join projects like trash pickup, helping them see firsthand how community service works.

“We do not want this to feel cliquish or exclusive. Anyone who believes in our mission is welcome.”

Membership is intentionally open-ended. Whether someone has hours to give each month or simply a skill like baking, photography, design or woodworking, everyone can contribute in their own way. “Investing” the founders explain, isn’t just about money. It is about time, talent, and presence.

What’s Next

Sarah, Brenna, and Kelsey have been working extremely hard to make these goals come true. They are looking ahead and IMPACT has written grants for two additional initiatives:

Project IMPACT Pratt Community Clean-Up: This is for Citywide Trash Pickups- A structured program to keep Pratt’s most visible areas clean. Through this project, we will organize four community-wide trash pick-up events during the grant period, occurring every other month, starting as soon as possible and through July 2026. These organized events will invite all Pratt residents to participate, with special emphasis on family involvement. They applied for the 2025 Community Grant available through the South-Central Community Foundation to help fund proper supplies for volunteers.

Project IMPACT Pratt Community Service Kickoff Event: This project represents both our first opportunity to bring the community together in celebration and our intentional investment in the organizational infrastructure that will sustain our efforts for years to come.

For this project they have applied for the 2025 Marjorie Gillig Grant available through the South-Central Community Foundation. With this grant, they will launch a Family Movie Night this event will be fun, family-friendly, and open to all residents, free of charge. It will provide not just entertainment but also a chance for our current members and board members to meet new people, spark conversations, and invite others to join us in our mission to improve Pratt. Research shows that visible, community-wide events build momentum for grassroots groups, increasing trust, volunteer engagement, and membership.

At the same time, this funding will help lay the foundation of organizational sustainability. Many behind-the-scenes costs are critical to building a reputable nonprofit, but they often go overlooked. For IMPACT to succeed long-term, we must be strategic from the very beginning. 

Both Projects highlight the group’s dual focus on beautification and togetherness. Whether it is cleaner streets or shared experiences IMPACT wants to create spaces that make people proud to call Pratt home and encourage those passing through to join our beautiful community.

Growing the Movement

As with any new organization, IMPACT is still in its building stage. They are finalizing a membership form, developing their logo, and exploring how best to organize future meetings. Yet the enthusiasm they have encountered so far has been overwhelming and encouraging.

“Every Conversation has been positive. Even People who are already involved in other organizations are excited. There is no competition. It is about collaboration.”

Donations are already possible through the South-Central Community Foundation with contributions being tax-deductible. For those who may not have time to volunteer, financial support offers another way to be part of the mission and is very much appreciated.

Why it Matters

For newcomers and longtime residents alike, IMPACT represents something vital: a reminder that community is built not by large institutions alone, but by ordinary people willing to invest their energy.

“We are three local women who care deeply about Pratt. This is about the future of our town.”

From murals to movie nights, from trash cleanups to the unseen ripple effects of pride and service, IMPACT is planting seeds. With every new project, every volunteer and every connection the group’s vision of meaningful projects and togetherness grows stronger.

How to Get Involved

Keep an eye on their Facebook for updates, visit their website, and you can email them. There is a link to their membership form and a form to make suggestions for the mural.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578613622512

Follow: Impact Pratt, Investing in Meaningful Projects and Community Togetherness that is their best way to read about updates at this time.

Email: impactpratt@gmail.com

Website: https://www.sccfks.org/impact-pratt.cfm 

On their website is a link to make donations through South-Central Community Foundation.

Membership Form: https://forms.gle/YkDmzD9YVZmHxUMw6

Mural Feedback Form: https://forms.gle/1cbFG8BTRXFUZSKj6

To submit any ideas to add to the mural. They are still accepting suggestions.