Kansas Community Empowerment Newsletter | |
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- Website Change Imminent...
- Reminder About KCE Grant Deadlines
- Shout Out to Blue Rapids - Thanks!
- Sponsor Spotlight: Kansas Municipal Utilities
- NextGen Under 30 Nomination Deadline Extended
- Community Happenings Around Kansas
- YouTube Address Change
- KCE/K-State Research and Extension Grant Writing Workshop
- Continuing Opportunities Section
- K-State Garden Hour August Webinar
- A Big Thanks to Collaborative Partner: League of Kansas Municipalities
- External Funding Opportunities
- Events Calendar
- Partner Resources
- 2023 Enrolled Communities
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Reminder about KCE Grant Deadlines
A quick reminder that the fall grant deadline is September 1st. I bet you're thinking, "what poor timing to have a website change over..." - You are most definitely NOT alone. The new page can be accessed HERE, but there may be hiccups as the transition continues.
BUT, all is not lost! If you try to access either the new or old site (please try the new site first) and you encounter challenges, email us at KSCE@ksu.edu and we will be happy to assist. We will also post updates on our Facebook page, so be sure to check there often for the latest.
Wishing you the best in your endeavors! – Jaime Menon, Co-Coordinator of Kansas Community Empowerment, jmenon@ksu.edu
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Website Change Imminent... | |
You might have received our update email or caught our post on Facebook... just another note here to say that our website address, look and feel will change soon.
The website address will now be kce.ksu.edu, and the old site will (or will eventually) redirect to the new site (it's still tentative on the list at Kansas State University, so it might not even be live by the time this article runs, so if you can't access it yet, don't stress). If you had bookmarked pages, those are unlikely to redirect to anything, so you might need to find those pages again by experiencing the new site!
Feeling lost? It's okay, it's going to feel a bit strange for a while, but that doesn't mean we want you to stress about it! Don't hesitate to email us at KSCE@ksu.edu and we are happy to point you in the right direction.
Jaime Menon, Co-Coordinator of Kansas Community Empowerment, jmenon@ksu.edu
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Shout Out to Blue Rapids - Thanks!
The June 2023 Kansas PRIDE, Inc. board of directors meeting was held in Blue Rapids. Thanks to our hosts, Blue Rapids Community Action Team (BRCAT). We were welcomed with a presentation about projects BRCAT has been involved in, followed by another presentation from Friends of Vermillion about their activities. The meeting continued with old and new business related to fundraising, marketing, awards and grants, and filling open board seats. After adjournment a lovely meal was furnished by volunteers and the city's food establishments: Fire and Ice, East Side Café, and Riverside Market, with a tour of the city and projects following. Thank you, Blue Rapids, for being such a great host!
Kansas PRIDE, Inc. holds quarterly board meetings throughout the year, two of those being in-person. Our next meeting in slated for Lucas, KS in September. If your Kansas Community Empowerment group is interested in hosting a future meeting, send me an email and we'll talk! – Jan Steen, Co-Coordinator of Kansas Community Empowerment, jmsteen@ksu.edu
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Sponsor Spotlight: Kansas Municipal Utilities
Kansas Municipal Utilities is the statewide association representing cities in Kansas and other public or not-for-profit agencies involved in operation and ownership of municipal utilities. This includes electric, gas, water, wastewater, storm water, and telecommunications utilities across Kansas.
Operating since 1928, Kansas Municipal Utilities provides assistance and information to members about legislative and regulatory issues, educational and training programs, and other services in an effort to advance municipal utilities and achieve maximum benefits for the customer-owners served by member utilities.
We thank Kansas Municipal Utilities for their support of Kansas communities through their own work and for their sponsorship of the program! You can visit their website to learn more about them and their efforts in Kansas.
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NextGen Under 30 Nomination Deadline Extended
Do you know a young professional who is making significant contributions to their industry or community? Now is the perfect time to nominate them for the 2023 NextGen Under 30 program. This program recognizes driven, creative-thinking, and inspiring individuals who embody our values of talent, drive, community, and innovation.
* Nomination Deadline Extended: August 4 *
Don’t hesitate, nominate the young professionals in your community today! https://bit.ly/3DjDdZ2
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Community Happenings Around Kansas | |
Content for this section comes from emails, quarterly reports, social media posts, and community website updates. If you'd like to highlight recent activities or promote an upcoming event in a future newsletter, email us at: ksce@ksu.edu. | |
Conway Springs Development Foundation recently received a Community Emergency Grant to repair damage to their building caused by a severe storm. The broken windows exposed stained glass underneath making it vulnerable to further damage if not addressed quickly. Plywood covers were painted and installed. The Community Emergency Grants are provided through our program thanks to the generosity of the Kansas Masons. | |  |
Highland PRIDE's 2nd quarter was packed with planning and implementing events in the community. They coordinated with the American Legion, the Highland Cemetery Association, and the City of Highland to host their annual Memorial Day service. They also hosted their annual Spring Cleanup event with the assistance of 58 volunteers, including student-athletes and coaches from the local community college. A new Snow Cone Series was held as an addition to the farmers' market in town where residents were given the opportunity to shop for local produce, baked goods, meats, and crafts. Families were also invited to explore the fairy garden and plant flowers in the children's plot. | | |
Energize Erie reports that they received a welcome banner just in time to place on Main Street before the Old Soldiers and Sailors Reunion. They used funds from the Community Promotion Grant, also provided thanks to the generosity of our partners, the Kansas Masons. Additional Community Promotion Grant funds will be used to purchase wayfinding signage to direct people to various locations in town. | | |
Lincoln PRIDE noted that volunteers from K-State's Upward Bound program came to town to do some work. Several projects were tackled, including cleaning at the Lincoln County Historical Museum, painting lines on the basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, weeding flower beds at a church and cleaning up the park. | | | |
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YouTube Address Change
If you have a bookmark or favorite link saved directly to our YouTube channel, the main address has changed. You can now get to the channel here:
youtube.com/@kansascommunityempowerment
You can still get to our video content through the website's Education page and any direct links to videos should remain the same as before.
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KCE/K-State Research and Extension Grant Writing Workshop | |
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Don't forget to register for our Grant Writing Workshop! We're hosting a grant writing workshop in partnership with K-State Research and Extension on December 5th and 7th from 6:00-8:30 PM. This two-night workshop is being offered in response to requests to have an evening offering instead of the traditional daytime events.
Thanks to additional funding pledged by the Kansas Department of Commerce, the first twelve registrants representing Kansas Community Empowerment (PRIDE) committees are eligible for a reimbursement scholarship upon completion of the workshop. Email Jan at jmsteen@ksu.edu after you register to get on the list.
Click on the image below or here to register for the workshop.
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Continuing Opportunities Section | |
K-State Research and Extension offers entrepreneurship webinars every first Friday of the month. Visit our webpage for all past sessions. Registration for upcoming sessions can be found HERE. | |
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Can't make it to our December Grant Writing Workshop? Other workshops are added to the schedule frequently - and there's now a micro-credential option for completion of the class and supporting documents showing evidence of learning.
Participants have reported receiving over $38 million in successful grants in their first year after taking the workshop. Classes are online and named for a local unit co-host - anyone can register by clicking HERE.
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A Big Thanks to Collaborative Partner: League of Kansas Municipalities
The League of Kansas Municipalities is a long-time collaborative partner with the Kansas Community Empowerment program. Their mission is to strengthen and advocate for the interest of the cities of Kansas to advance the general welfare and promote the quality of life of the people who live within our cities.
The League offers a wide variety of services and resources to member communities, including the Kansas Government Journal where you'll find an article each year about amazing things happening in Kansas Community Empowerment communities. They also put on a conference every year full of valuable workshops, discussions, and networking opportunities. Find us at our booth at the Annual League Conference this October!
Thank you, League of Kansas Municipalities, for your committed efforts to make Kansas a great place to be through your work, and your service on the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors.
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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:
Can’d Aid offers a Crush It Crusade grant that provides recycling bins, training, and the funding needed to help get a recycling program off the ground in communities across the United States. Recycling programs that are held as events, or are ongoing, are eligible. You can find an application and grant FAQ sheet, as well as additional information here: https://candaid.org/crush-it-crusade/
USA Pickleball has a Community Grant Program that provides a current USA Pickleball member up to $250 reimbursement for the purchase of qualified pickleball equipment that is dedicated to a new pickleball playing location. Reimbursable expenses include: up to 24 pickleballs, portable nets, marking supplies, and rule books. There is also an option for donated pickleball paddles while supplies last. The application is on a rolling basis, and you can find more details here: https://usapickleball.org/get-involved/grant-program/community-grant-program/
The GEICO Philanthropic Foundation offers grants to support local organizations in their volunteer outreach efforts for health and wellness initiatives, financial literacy, food insecurity, environmental conservation, and animal welfare and advocacy. They also have funding available for early childhood learning, STEM programs, and more. For eligibility details and an application, visit: https://www.geico.com/philanthropic-foundation/
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:
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October 15th, January 15th, April 15th, July 15th
Awards Deadlines:
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Partner Resources and Links | |
2023 Enrolled Communities | | | |
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The following communities have enrolled in the Kansas Community Empowerment program for the 2023 program 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 and Reporting page and click on the light blue "Enroll" button to get started. | | |
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Admire
Alton
Anthony
Arlington
Ashland
Assaria
Axtell
Basehor
Belleville
Blue Rapids
Burden
Bushton
Caldwell
Caney
Canton
Clifton
Coats
Columbus
Conway Springs
Courtland
Delia
Dwight
Elk City
Elkhart
Ellis
Erie
Florence
Fort Scott
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Glasco
Grainfield
Grinnell
Harper
Haysville
Herndon
Highland
Horton
Hugoton
Humboldt
Independence
Iola
Kinsley
La Harpe
Lakin
Larned
Lecompton
Lenora
Leon
Leonardville
Lincoln
Lucas
Luray
Macksville
Marion
McFarland
McPherson
Melvern
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Morland
Mount Hope
Nickerson
Norton
Olsburg
Osawatomie
Overbrook
Ozawkie
Perry
Portis
Potwin
Quenemo
Randolph
Riley
Riverton
Rossville
Russell
Saint George
Scranton
Silver Lake
Toronto
Towanda
Vermillion
Wakefield
Wichita (South Central)
Wilson
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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