Kansas Community Empowerment Newsletter | |
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- KCE Program 2024 Awards Reminder
- Sponsor Spotlight: Blue Valley Technologies
- KCE Signage Update
- Community Happenings
- Continuing Opportunities
- K-State Garden Hour May Webinar
- External Funding Opportunities
- Events Calendar
- Partner Resources
- Collaborative Partner Highlight: Dane G. Hansen Foundation
- Sponsorship Opportunity
- 2024 Enrolled Communities
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KCE Program 2024 Awards Reminder
Just a quick note to let you know that the Kansas Community Empowerment Awards deadline for Round 1 of 2024 is May 1.
If your community is in good standing (enrolled, resolution submitted, and quarterly reports up to date), feel free to peruse the award opportunities and apply!
For promotional awards, provided through our partner Kansas PRIDE, Inc., such as Project Excellence, Rising Star, and Community of Excellence, CLICK HERE.
For funding opportunities provided through Kansas PRIDE, Inc. and the Kansas Masons, CLICK HERE.
And don't forget your Folios! CLICK HERE to access the folio page!
Best of luck to you all, and don't hesitate to reach out to KSCE@ksu.edu with any questions!
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Sponsor Spotlight: Blue Valley Technologies
We're shining the spotlight on our sponsors each month. This month we're thanking Blue Valley Technologies for helping to make the Kansas Community Empowerment program possible.
Blue Valley Technologies (BVT) is an independent communications cooperative located in rural Kansas. They serve multiple communities in the northeast part of the state and are one of the first in the nation to deploy fiber to even its most rural customers. Thanks to the innovative and forward-thinking folks at BVT for continuing to support Kansas communities' efforts to improve their quality of life. You can visit their website here: https://www.bluevalley.net/. Is your community served by BVT? Learn how they give back to communities via donations, scholarship, and more: https://www.bluevalley.net/giving-back.
Interested in becoming a Kansas Community Empowerment sponsor? Check out our sponsorship details near the end of the newsletter!
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It's happening!!!!! Kansas Community Empowerment signage is heading out to communities! I (Jaime) had the immense honor of connecting with KCE group of Overbrook PRIDE to discuss resources and present them with their new KCE sign!
Thanks to our partnerships with the Kansas Masonic Foundation and the Kansas Department of Commerce, every community that was enrolled in KCE in 2023 had the chance to receive a brand new sign after the program rebranding!
Some signs have been distributed already (some have not wanted to take pictures because they want to take them at the time of installation or with their full KCE/PRIDE group - If you are one of them, don't forget to share those photos with us at KSCE@ksu.edu) and many more coordination in the works - so if you know you should be receiving a sign, keep an eye on your inbox in upcoming weeks!
Congratulations to Overbrook on their new sign, and for being an awesome organization that works to continuously improve their amazing community!
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Content for this section comes from emails, quarterly reports, and community website/social media updates. If you'd like to highlight recent activities or promote an upcoming event in a future newsletter, email us at: ksce@ksu.edu. | |
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Quenemo PRIDE:
During my visit to Quenemo to deliver their sign (they plan to share their picture after they have installed their sign - and we will likely post to Facebook) Alex Zerbe, chairperson of Quenemo PRIDE, gave me a tour of their lovely Community Building, and highlighted their Blessings Box and Community Garden Stand. The Garden Stand was installed due to many community members wanting to have the opportunity to give away or trade surplus produce from their own gardens. Many communities that I have connected with have had expressed similar interests (how to give away their overflow) and I thought it might be an opportunity to show what others are doing to address needs and provide opportunities to give and connect. Awesome work Quenemo PRIDE - thank you for all you do! - Jaime
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Lincoln Center Improvement Committee:
Lincoln PRIDE recently underwent a rebranding of their own which has been well received by the community. They are now known as Lincoln Center Improvement Committee. On St. Patrick's Day they held a baked potato fundraiser with potatoes, toppings, and desserts. Approximately 80 people attended and over $600 was raised for community projects.
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External Funding Opportunities | |
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If you're looking for project funding outside of the Kansas Community Empowerment program, here are some potential opportunities:
Black Hills Energy has sponsorship and donation opportunities for communities they serve. Strong communities, helping people, workforce development, education, and environmental stewardship are some of their focus areas. To find out more and submit your request, visit their site: https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/community/request-charitable-sponsorship-or-donation
ONEOK has grants available for communities they serve. Interest areas include health and human services, education, the environment, arts, culture, and community improvement. They also have emergency responder and public school grants: https://www.oneok.com/about-us/community-investments
Can'd Aid has a grants offering to help communities start recycling programs. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000 and can be used for staff and volunteer training, supplies, such as recycling bins, and more: https://candaid.org/crush-it-crusade/
Additional Funding Resources
Is your community looking for funding to help with certain projects? Let us know what the project is, how much you're seeking, and what your timeline looks like. We have access to multiple external grants databases and likely can give you some links to potential funding sources. Just email us at KSCE@ksu.edu with your request and project idea. If you've utilized Jan for grant searches - KCE/PRIDE community or otherwise - please report back to us on any successes you might have so we can determine effectiveness and continue to provide this service.
You can also reach out to your local Extension office which should have access to the database as well. - Jan Steen, Kansas Community Empowerment Program Co-Coordinator, jmsteen@ksu.edu
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Events Calendar
Quarterly Report Due Dates:
- January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, October 15th
A reminder that you can get to the reporting database here: https://reports.kce.k-state.edu/
Awards Deadlines:
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Partner Resources and Links | |
Collaborative Partner Highlight:
Dane G. Hansen Foundation
We’re proud to work with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation in support of Northwest Kansas communities and thankful for all they do. The Dane G. Hansen Foundation provides opportunities for people in Northwest Kansas to enjoy the highest possible quality of life. Through their mission they work to strengthen communities, create an environment for growth, and increase economic opportunities. To fulfill their mission they invest in education, health care, economic development, community social services and security, conservation and the environment, arts and culture, and community beautification.
The Kansas Community Empowerment program provides grants, technical assistance and resources to support communities in the Dane G. Hansen service area. In addition, K-State Research and Extension also provides Community Vitality programming to these communities in the form of community assessments, grant searches, grant writing workshops, educational resources, and presentations.
You can find out more about the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the great work it’s doing in Northwest Kansas, including grant opportunities, scholarships, and other initiatives, by clicking here or the logo above.
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Sponsorship Opportunity
The Kansas Community Empowerment program uses no state or federal dollars to fund community projects or recognition. Sponsors support communities participating in the program by helping to fund grants and awards and have the opportunity to serve on the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors. It’s not just the communities that benefit – the sponsors get a lot out of it, too! To see how your company's or organization's support can benefit communities throughout the state, visit our Donation page to find out how to donate.
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2024 Enrolled Communities | | |
Now that the database is back, we can start listing communities that have enrolled so far for this year. Communities are added to this list each month (or this list more frequently) as they enroll for the current program year. To enroll your community, visit our Enrollment page to get started! | | |
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Admire
Alton
Anthony
Arlington
Ashland
Belleville
Blue Rapids
Caldwell
Caney
Centralia
Clifton
Columbus
Conway Springs
Delia
Elk City
Ellis
Erie
Formoso
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Glasco
Grainfield
Harper
Herington
Herndon
Highland
Horton
Iola
Kinsley
Lakin
Larned
Lecompton
Leonardville
Lincoln
Lucas
Luray
McFarland
Melvern
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Mount Hope
Nickerson
Norton
Olsburg
Overbrook
Ozawkie
Portis
Potwin
Quenemo
Randolph
Riverton
Russell
Saint George
Savonburg
Towanda
Vermillion
Wakefield
Yates Center
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service
K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
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