New Grant Process - Shawnee and Jefferson County

United Way of Kaw Valley Launching New Grant Process Jan. 9

New opportunities for Shawnee and Jefferson County providers will prioritize “Whole Family” focus and encourage grantee collaboration

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Jan. 6, 2023, Topeka, Kan.— On Monday, January 9,  staff from United Way of Kaw Valley (UWKV, formerly United Way of Greater Topeka) will introduce partners to its updated grant opportunities aimed at creating a strong, healthy and equitable community.

Any agency that serves Shawnee and/or Jefferson counties and is interested in applying for a new grant in Childhood Success, Family Success or Family Supports (basic needs) should attend the in-person RFP release meeting at 9 am on Monday, January 9, 2023, at the Shawnee County Health Department, 2600 SW East Circle Dr. This meeting will not be recorded.

New Application

UWKV notes that this is a new application with new grant categories. UWKV recommends that agencies attend the RFP release meeting if they plan to apply. Of special notes to previous partners receiving basic needs grants: Basic needs will no longer have a separate RFP process. If agencies intend to apply for a grant focused on basic needs, they will now need to apply under the Family Supports section of the new RFP. More information will be shared at the January 9 meeting and extensive technical support will be available to applicants.

New grant categories focus on the connectivity between generations in a household. To help potential partners better understand this “Whole Family” approach and how it will affect the grant scoring, UWKV will provide a Whole Family Workshop from 11 am to 12:30 pm on January 17 at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

RFP Timeline

January 9          RFP Releases

January 11        RFP Office Hours*

January 13        RFP Office Hours*

January 17        Whole Family Workshop

January 18        RFP Office Hours*

January 23        Process Opens

March 3             Applications Due

March-April        Review/Scoring

April 28             Notifications Sent

July 1                2-Year Funding Cycle Begins

*UWKV community impact staff will also hold three RFP Office Hour sessions for potential applicants to ask questions:

  • January 11, 3:00pm-5:00pm at United Way of Kaw Valley (1527 SW Fairlawn Road)
  • January 13, 10:00am-12:00pm at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (1515 SW 10th Ave) in Team Room #1
  • January 18, 11:00am-12:00pm via Zoom (email jmcdiffett@uwkawvalley.org for the link)

About United Way of Kaw Valley

In September 2022, United Way of Douglas County merged with United Way of Greater Topeka to form United Way of Kaw Valley (UWKV). UWKV serves as a grant maker, community convenor, volunteer organizer and strategic partner for the nonprofit sector in Shawnee, Douglas, Jackson and Jefferson counties in northeast Kansas. Donor dollars are invested locally and support a broad range of initiatives that benefit the whole family in education, financial stability and health, as well as racial equity and family supports/basic needs.