Newsletter - October 2022 Edition

IN THIS ISSUE: Quarterly Reports Reminder PRIDE Community Happenings Sponsor Highlight: Midwest Energy, Inc. Continuing Opportunities Section External Funding Resources Up for a Community Visit? We Are, Too! Catch Us on Facebook & Facebook Live! K-State Garden Hour October Schedule Events Calendar Stay Tuned! Ways to Support Kansas PRIDE Partner and Resource Links 2022 Kansas PRIDE Communities

Quarterly Reports Reminder This is just a friendly reminder that October is upon us and that means 3rd quarter reports are due on the 15th. Head on over to our Enrollment and Reporting page to get started. You'll find the gold "Report" button which will take you right to the database. If you have any troubles let us know - we're happy to help! Check out our video on the Reporting System for a walk-through, tips, and the importance of reporting.

PRIDE Community Happenings

Caney Community Betterment Group (PRIDE) let us know that they've completed their south entry sign. The sign was paid for, in part, with a Community Promotion Grant through the Kansas PRIDE program and its partnership with the Kansas Masons. Caney also received some funding for the purchase through their local motel tax. They report it's a great improvement for the community and we think it looks awesome! Great work Caney and partners! See more from the CCBG here.

Another Community Promotion Grant project has just been completed. Norton PRIDE sent us the details about their recent dedication of the renovated kiosk and designation of the Station 15 Travel Information Center along Highway 36. The kiosk project was partially funded by the Community Promotion Grant. Way to go, Norton! Take a look at some of the other photos and more projects that are happening on Norton PRIDE's Facebook page.

Lincoln PRIDE planned a cleanup fundraiser. Community members paid volunteers to haul off limbs, old appliances, and more, with Lincoln PRIDE partnering with the Bank of Tescott to form their cleanup crew. The money raised will go towards placing a music park in the Lincoln City Park. Lincoln PRIDE also spearheaded the K-State Salina Upward Bound program's visit to town where 40+ students came to work on community service projects. It was a great experience for the students and PRIDE members.

Sponsor Highlight: Midwest Energy, Inc. This month we'd like to highlight another great program sponsor - Midwest Energy. Midwest Energy is a customer-owned natural gas and electric cooperative, serving 93,000 customers in 40 counties in western and central Kansas. They work to provide safe, reliable and efficient energy services and to foster leadership and growth throughout the region. If your community is in their service area and you’re seeking project funding, they also have a Community Fund you might take a look at on their website. Thanks to everyone at Midwest Energy for supporting Kansas communities! You can visit them online here.  The Kansas PRIDE 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 Sponsors and Sponsorship page to find out how to donate.

CONTINUING OPPORTUNITIES SECTION

FIRST FRIDAY E-CALLS K-State Research and Extension offers entrepreneurship webinars every first Friday of the month.  Visit our Webpage for all past sessions. Registration information for upcoming sessions can be found HERE.

External Funding Opportunities Want to put your new grant writing skills to use? Here are some opportunities for project funding outside of the Kansas PRIDE grants:  If your PRIDE group is registered as a nonprofit and has a high-quality website, you may be eligible for Google’s Ad Grants Program. Google provides nonprofits up to $10,000 monthly of in-kind search advertising. There’s no spending requirement and the funds do not roll over each month. This type of digital marketing support can help your PRIDE group reach audiences that may be interested in donating, volunteering, or becoming aware of your work. You can target the ads locally, regionally, or beyond to tell searchers about your community work and projects. You can find out how to get signed up and if you are eligible here: https://www.google.com/grants/ The Dr. Scholl Foundation considers grant applications for projects in the following areas: education, social services, healthcare, civic and cultural, and environmental. Don’t let the list limit you as they are flexible in providing grants for other worthwhile projects. Take a look at their FAQ for eligibility and how to get to the application. The application is available starting October 1 and must be submitted no later than March 1 at 4 PM Central Time. There is no limit on amounts requested, though the average range is between $5,000 and $25,000. Find out more on their site: https://www.drschollfoundation.com/application-procedures/preferences-limitations/ The Robert E. and Evelyn McKee Foundation offers grants for projects that fall into the categories of: civic, cultural, religion, education, literature, hospitals, youth activities, community funds and more. 501c3 organizations operating in the United States and undertaking projects that fall into one or more of the categories above can apply by December 1st. You can find out more information online: http://www.mckeefoundation.org/ifa_guidelines.htm Additional Funding Resources Is your Kansas PRIDE 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 an external grants database and likely can give you some links to potential funding sources. Just email us at PRIDE@ksu.edu with your request and project idea. Not a Kansas PRIDE community? This resource is a great reason to join! You can also reach out to your local Extension office which should have access to the database as well. - Jan Steen, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinator, jmsteen@ksu.edu

Up for a Virtual, or in Person, Community Visit? We Are, Too! Our offer at the end of each newsletter is to engage your community remotely, or in person! Our model has changed slightly - we prefer virtual for initial steps as our introduction videos can be shared widely throughout the community. We would be more than happy to host a Zoom meeting where your PRIDE group members, city council members, chamber participants, Masonic Lodge, or other groups could individually log in to see the presentation or discussion and ask questions. In person is a great way to get assessments or other community planning done, and we are happy to do a survey read out as a neutral party, or help you through a Strategic Doing session. Just e-mail us at PRIDE@ksu.edu to set up a schedule. To view pre-recorded webinars giving an introduction to the program, step-by-step instructions on how to enroll or report, fundraising, recruiting volunteers, and more, head over to our Education page for more. Keep your eye on that page, as we will be updating our Toolkit soon! - Jan Steen and Jaime Menon, Kansas PRIDE Program Co-Coordinators, PRIDE@ksu.edu We often post items of interest on our Facebook page between newsletters. Grants, volunteer training, project ideas, and even the occasional Live stream will pop up. Click the button below to like and follow the program activity there: Like Us On Facebook!

EVENTS CALENDAR Quarterly Report Dates: January 15th, April 15th, July 15th, October 15th  Awards Deadlines: May 1st, September 1st

Stay Tuned! The fall round of grant winners will be notified in October and we'll announce them in the November 2022 newsletter. If you didn't get your applications in this fall there's plenty of time to prep for spring! Start your plans to apply next year by looking at our grants and recognition pages.

Ways to Support Kansas PRIDE Would you like to support communities' efforts to improve the quality of life across Kansas? Companies/organizations can sponsor the program and have the option to serve on the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. board of directors. KPI also accepts individual donations or you can contribute by using the Amazon Smile link here should you do any online shopping. Support your local merchants first, of course!

Partner and Resource Links

2022 Kansas PRIDE Communities The following communities are currently enrolled in the Kansas PRIDE program for the 2022 program year. To enroll your community visit our Enrollment and Reporting page and click on the light blue "Enroll" button to get started.

Admire Alton Anthony Arlington Ashland Assaria Axtell Basehor Belleville Blue Rapids Burden Bushton Caldwell Caney Clifton Columbus Conway Springs Courtland Delia Dover Dwight Elk City Ellis Erie Florence Fort Scott Glasco Grainfield Grinnell Harper Haysville Herndon Highland Hugoton Humboldt Independence Iola Kinsley La Harpe Lakin Larned Lecompton Leon Leonardville Lewis Lincoln Lucas Luray Macksville Marion McFarland Melvern Moran Morland Mount Hope Newton Norton Olsburg Osawatomie Overbrook Ozawkie Perry Portis Potwin Quenemo Randolph Riley Riverton Rossville Rozel Russell Saint George Savonburg Scranton Silver Lake South Central Neighborhood (Wichita) Stockton Toronto Vermillion Wakefield Wilson Yates Center

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