Lawrence Home Builders Assn. and Landplan Engineering donated $100,000 to the Douglas County Community Foundation last week.

“We believe in giving back to the community,” said association executive director Bobbie Flory. “We felt strongly that the gift to the community foundation was a perfect way to give back to families and children of Lawrence and Douglas County, now and in the future.”

The $100,000 gift triggered a $50,000 match from the Kansas Health Foundation.

Plans call for using income earned on the funds to underwrite grants to programs and services for children in the County.

Lawrence Home Builders Assn. and Landplan Engineering have been active supporters of O’Connell Youth Ranch, affordable housing and neighborhood development. Both have contributed thousands of dollars to area scholarship funds.

“It’s really great to see a trade association and a business come together like this,” said foundation executive director Sara Corless. “This is the first time something like this has happened since the foundation began.”

The beneficiary of a $5 million gift from philanthropist Hortense Oldfather, Douglas County Community Foundation began in 2000.

Last year, the foundation raised more than $900,000 in new gifts and investment income. It issued more than $300,000 in grants to 38 charities, including: The Ballard Center, Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence, Health Care Access, Lawrence Arts Center, Lawrence Open Shelter, The Villages Inc., Douglas County AIDS Project, Mother to Mother of Douglas County and Douglas County Dental Clinic.

Over the next 18 months, foundation officials hope to raise an additional $700,000 for children’s programs and services.