Funding Resources
for PRIDE Communities

The following funding opportunities are provided to aid PRIDE communities in their efforts for local community improvement. 

           Kansas PRIDE, INC.

Partners in PRIDE Grant
A funding opportunity provided by Kansas PRIDE Inc. as a 1:1 Match with communites that can provide funding up to a maximum of $2,000 per project for PRIDE Communties that qualify! 

  Partners in PRIDE Guidelines

  Partners in PRIDE Application

Get It Do It Grant
The grants support youth and adult partnerships to plan and implement projects that strengthen rural youth leadership and build a community’s social and human capital. 

  GIDI Application

Get It Do It Additional Resources

  Youth Leadership/Involvement Ladder

  Youth Community Service - to - Service Learning Cycle

Please see the Links below for other funding opportunities and categories.

  Federal Funding Sources
  State Funding Sources
  Foundation  and Non-Profit Funding Sources
  Private Funding Sources

Federal Funding Sources

Grants.gov
Grants.gov is your source to find and apply for Federal government grants. There are over 1,000 grant programs offered by all Federal grant making agencies.

USDA Rural Development: Funding Notices
USDA Rural Development announces the availability of money for many of its programs in the Federal Register, through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). Each NOFA lists the application deadlines, eligibility requirements and places where you can get more help in applying for program dollars.

State Funding Sources

Kansas Department of Commerce: Community Development
The Kansas Department of Commerce serves as a catalyst and financial partner with local governments in building local capacity and achieving local prioritized goals. The programs of the Division strive to strengthen communities by providing technical, planning, and financial assistance for projects that provide a suitable living environment and expand economic opportunities.

Access their Rural Development Resource Guide HERE.

Grants for Community Gardens

Kansas cities and towns wishing to establish community gardens are eligible to apply for a start-up grant from the Kansas Community Gardens Project.

The new statewide opportunity is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation and administered by K-State Research and Extension. 

The project is intended to provide funding for up to 20 gardens in each of the next three years (2012-2014) to increase public interest in community gardening and encourage growing of health-promoting fruits and vegetables, associate extension 4-H youth gardening and plant science specialist.

Start-up and other community gardens less than three years old and in the development process will be given preference in funding of up to $5,000 per garden.

The funds can be used for such expenses as tool or other equipment purchases, water line or irrigation equipment and installation, soil improvement, creating raised beds, and to buy seeds. 

Non-profit and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply, and community collaborations such as a cooperative agreement with a community garden and a local food pantry to provide a portion of the produce grown, are encouraged.

To qualify for the funding, projects must be: 1) located within the state of Kansas; 2) on land with public access; 3) open to all (free of discrimination), and 4) demonstrate the value and public benefit of community gardens.

Grant recipients will be required to keep records and submit an annual report about their efforts to establish, maintain and sustain their community garden.

Grant applications are due by January 15, 2013 for this year’s funding. Applications and more information are available at www.kansascommunitygardens.org.

Best management practices for gardens can be found in the “Kansas Garden Guide” available at K-State Research and Extension offices and online:

http://ksre.ksu.edu/library/hort2/s51.aspx.  More gardening information also is available at www.kansasgreenyards.org and at K-State Research and Extension offices throughout the state.

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The Kansas Humanities Council

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Small Communities Improvement Program The Small Communities Improvement Program (SCIP) sets aside funds each year for small communities that are undertaking improvement projects through hard work and volunteerism. Designed to assist communities with populations of 5,000 or less, are not eligible for other Department of Commerce assistance, and may not have the capacity to provide matching funds.

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UFM's State Outreach Program
UFM's State Outreach Program assists Kansas towns in developing community education and development programs to meet the needs of their specific area. The program assists in two ways:

Mini Grants - Small matching grants ranging from $300 to $3,000 assist communities in the process of organizing community education, recreation, or cultural programs using UFM's volunteer model.

Technical Assistance - Technical assistance is also available to help communities with grant applications, training on program development, volunteer recruitment, fund raising, publicity and other areas that will assist in their growth, development and stabilization.

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Foundation and Non-Profit Funding Sources

Grantsmanship Center
List of the top grant funding foundations in Kansas

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Kansas Trail Council: Trail Grants
The George Latham Legacy Grant program is designed to honor the late George Latham and his commitment to building and maintaining quality trails in Kansas. The grants are provided to land managers or trail stewards to facilitate building new trails in Kansas. Depending on the applicant's needs, the KTC may purchase trail building equipment needed to design and develop a trail system. The KTC may also provide applicants with technical assistance in the design and development of the proposed trail system.

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Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant
The American Humane Association awards grants across the nation for local animal shelter expansion or improvement through the Meacham Foundation Memorial Grant. The grants can only be used for construction, capital improvements, or equipment that directly impact the welfare of animals in a shelter.

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Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation
The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation supports music education through the donation and repair of musical instruments to underserved schools, community music programs and individual students nationwide. The Foundation provides support to repair existing musical instruments, refurbish donated instruments, and purchase new and used instruments through three programs. The Melody Program targets existing school music programs that are threatened by budget cuts; the Special Projects Program targets community schools of the arts, after-school programs, and youth orchestras that are in need of assistance; and the Solo Program targets talented student musicians who are part of a school or community music program and in need of quality musical instruments but have no means of purchasing or renting them. Applications are accepted year-round. Visit the website below for more information and application instructions.
 

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Sunflower Foundation
The Sunflower Foundation is pleased to announce a new Request for Proposals, RFP 07-102. This is a comprehensive RFP addressing four funding categories within the foundation's interest areas:

Health Care Access
        1.     Bridge Grants
Organizational Capacity
        2.     Capacity Building
Healthy Behaviors and Prevention
        3.     Physical Activity
        4.     Walking Trails

Please note that the application steps and deadlines involved in applying to this RFP vary and are determined by the funding category under which application is made. Complete details on this RFP and application documents can be found on the foundation's Web site, www.sunflowerfoundation.org, or are available by calling the foundation at 866.232.3020 (toll free) or 785.232.3000 (local), or by e-mail request to info@sunflowerfoundation.org.
 

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Tony Hawk Foundation
The principal focus of the Tony Hawk Foundation is to encourage and facilitate the design, development, construction and operation of new, quality skateboard parks and facilities in low-income communities throughout the United States. The Foundation provides support to parks that are designed and built by qualified and experienced contractors, include local skaters in the design process, and demonstrate a strong grassroots commitment to the project. Also, parks that have a creative mix of obstacles and terrain, don't over-regulate or restrict access to the park, don't charge money, and are in areas that currently have no skateboarding facilities are preferred. Nonprofit organizations and government agencies, including public schools, are eligible to apply. Applications deadlines are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1, annually. Visit the Tony Hawk Foundation website for more information and application instructions.

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Private Funding Sources

FHLBank Topeka
FHLBank Topeka, a privately owned, federally chartered corporation, promotes housing and homeownership by providing wholesale products and services that help member financial institutions expand the availability of mortgage credit, compete more effectively in their markets and foster strong and vibrant communities.

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Microsoft--Community Technology and Learning Centers
Microsoft Unlimited Potential is a global initiative that focuses on improving lifelong learning for disadvantaged young people and adults by providing technology skills through community technology and learning centers (CTLCs). A community technology center is a free or low-cost, friendly place (in a community center, school, library, housing facility, or other convenient location) where people of all ages and abilities can come to learn about computers, use the Internet, explore new careers, further their education, participate in community activities, or develop technology skills. Microsoft will provide funding to nonprofit or non-governmental CTLC organizations that hold charitable status in their country; school-based CTLCs (a nonprofit or governmental organization that provides services to the community during non-school hours such as evenings and weekends); and government funded and operated CTLCs. Microsoft accepts funding proposals from eligible organizations through Microsoft subsidiary offices located around the world. To find out how and when proposals are accepted in each subsidiary, or to apply for a grant, please contact the nearest Microsoft subsidiary. Visit the Microsoft website listed above for details.