Kansas Community Empowerment Newsletter | |
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- Want Recognition or Need Funding?
- Sponsor Spotlight: Kansas Gas Service
- Tell Your Story!
- Community Happenings
- Continuing Opportunities
- K-State Garden Hour March Webinar
- Community Service Program Tax Credits
- External Funding Opportunities
- Events Calendar
- Partner Resources
- Making a Difference through Sponsorship
- 2025 Enrolled Communities
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This just in... Database Maintenance (2/26/25)
The Kansas Community Empowerment enrollment and reporting database system will be down for maintenance at 10:30 AM today (Wednesday, February 26th) for approximately 1 hour. If you have trouble logging in after that period, please check our Facebook page below for updates.
Facebook
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Looking for Recognition or Funding? Well, it's that time of year again - KCE Awards Time! Click on the graphic above for a short little video of the offerings we have for our communities.
If you're in Good Standing (enrolled, resolution up to date, and quarterly reports submitted) you could be eligible for many of our award categories (they vary depending on the level of community you are at the moment). Visit our Resource Page to learn more about the types of awards offered, and other resources we have in case you need a boost!
Questions? Don't hesitate to reach out to KSCE@ksu.edu - we're happy to help!
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Just in case you're a little behind due to being busy, we thought we might add a quick and easy go-to should you need to enroll, get your resolution in, or report:
Still need to Enroll for the year? No problem! Click here to visit our Enrollment Page to get started.
If your resolution form is from 2022, then it's time to renew! CLICK HERE for a copy of the Resolution form. If you're an unincorporated community, email us, and we'll send you a form you can use to engage your county commission.
Need to get your 4th Quarter Reporting done? CLICK HERE to Report.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance, and as always, thank you for all you do! – Jaime Menon and Jan Steen, Kansas Community Empowerment Program and Community Vitality Specialists for K-State Research and Extension - KSCE@ksu.edu
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Sponsor Spotlight: Kansas Gas Service
This month, we're excited to announce the return of our long-time sponsor, Kansas Gas Service! Kansas Gas Service has a strong sense of duty to the communities it serves, and it lends a helping hand in many ways, including supporting community efforts through the Kansas Community Empowerment program. Kansas Gas Service understands its responsibility to its stakeholders - communities where they live and work, their employees and their families, and their shareholders.
Thank you, Kansas Gas Service, for your support. You can learn more about Kansas Gas Service, including its community investment, corporate responsibility, and sustainability pages, by clicking on the logo or link above.
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You've done the hard work. You're past the finish line and you've taken the time to say "THANK YOU!" to your amazing volunteers through recognition of their efforts. Now it's time to Tell Your Story!
Telling your story is a great way to help community members connect and consider joining your efforts, create new partnerships, and even engage new sponsors! Where can you start?
We've made it easy by creating a module for you called Telling Your Story! Click the graphic above for a short video on the subject, and we've put together a great set of handouts that can help you:
- figure out how to track your successes, communicate with new and potential partners
- prepare and submit information to the media
- gather important information using a fillable template to help you organize and keep everything in one place - making it easy to modify, access, and utilize for a uniform message!
Click the button below to access these resources.
We’re here to help – if you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at KSCE@ksu.edu – we’re here to help you find what works best for your 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. | |
From Caldwell: The City & Caldwell Art Brigade were awarded an Arts Grant through the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission and now has 12 large box turtle art installations. Twelve designs were chosen, and area artists have been working since September to create their beautiful masterpieces, which will be on display throughout Downtown Caldwell and other notable locations. Caldwell was the first stop in Kansas on the Chisholm Trail, so the "Turtle Trail" will be a self-guided art walk (or drive) to view each turtle and is a subtle nod to our Wild West history. | |
McFarland has been buzzing with activity, showcasing the vibrant spirit that defines the town. They participated in the "Love, Kansas" campaign kickoff party, proudly unveiling a new mural as part of a statewide initiative to attract people to Kansas. They also came together to sponsor the McFarland Veterans Day dinner to honor those who served, and Trunk or Treat at the city park, bringing joy to families. A presentation in November shared findings of McFarland's participation in the First Impressions assessment program through K-State Research and Extension, fostering dialogue about the city's future. | |
Community Service Tax Program Credits
From the Kansas Department of Commerce:
Amplifying fundraising activities for non-profits.
Program Overview
The Community Service Program (CSP) Tax Credits help non-profit organizations and public health care entities fund important projects related to community improvements, children and family services, crime prevention, youth apprenticeship or training, and healthcare.
Under this program certain non-profits are authorized to offer tax credits to donors supporting approved projects. Organizations in rural areas (<15,000 population) can get a 70% credit, while those in urban areas (>15,000 population) get a 50% credit.
Total Funding
In 2025, $4.13 million in state tax credits are available for CSP. The maximum tax credit award for a project is $200,000.
Qualifying Projects
Each proposal shall address one of the following areas in order to qualify:
- Community service, including childcare
- Non-governmental crime prevention
- Youth apprenticeship and technical training
- Healthcare services
Selection Criteria
The Department of Commerce will evaluate all proposals based on project need, innovation, agency capacity, planning, community support, and confidence in the project being completed.
Key considerations include:
- Describing the community need that the proposed project will benefit.
- Addressing the impact of the project on the community with projected statistical results.
- Demonstrating how the project will impact the community and how broad-based support has been gathered.
- Providing pledge letters from committed project donors along with a detailed fundraising plan.
- Demonstrating the ability and capacity to complete the project.
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Download the program guidelines for more information on program requirements.
Who Qualifies
- Kansas non-profit corporations and foundations
- NOTE: City and County Governments are NOT eligible to apply.
Application Period
The CSP application period is from March 1 to April 30, 2025. The $250 application fee can be paid here.
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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:
The Hart Family Fund for Small Towns encourages preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in towns with a population of 10,000 or less. Grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to increase their capacity and build technical expertise needed for projects, encourage financial participation by the private sector, and more. May 1, 2025 is the deadline. You can find out details about the grant and eligibility here: https://savingplaces.org/hart-family-fund
Is your community served by Waste Management? If so, you may be eligible to apply for their charitable giving opportunity. Community Vitality is one of the areas they fund, also Workforce Development, Environmental Stewardship and Justice, Sustainability Education, and Supplier Diversity. Find out how to apply here: https://www.wm.com/us/en/inside-wm/social-impact/community-impact
If you’re in East Central Kansas and have a project that involves arts, culture, humanities, community improvement, capacity building, education, health, and/or human services, take a look at the Lewis H. Humphreys Charitable Trust. Applications are accepted until the announced March 31st deadline. You can find more details, and a list of past recipients, here: https://www.bankofamerica.com/philanthropic/foundation/?fnId=114
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 the effectiveness and continue to provide this service.
You can also reach out to your local Extension office which should have access to some database search tools 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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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 | |
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Are you a business or organization that has a focus on community giving or service? Thinking through what opportunities there might be to provide a boost to local community development? If so, Kansas Community Empowerment might just be an opportunity for your organization to make a difference!
At Kansas Community Empowerment (KCE), we believe in the power of communities to create lasting change. Our program, supported by K-State Research and Extension in partnership with the Kansas PRIDE, Inc. Board of Directors, the Kansas Masons and the Kansas Department of Commerce, is dedicated to assisting each community through its own unique improvement process. However, we rely on the generosity of donors to fund these vital community projects.
Why Your Donation Matters:
1. Empowering Underserved Communities:
- Many small, rural, and unincorporated communities struggle to find funding for essential projects. Your donation provides opportunities for these communities to undertake projects that can significantly enhance their quality of life and boost their eligibility for larger grants.
2. Supporting Local Initiatives:
- Funds donated to Kansas PRIDE, Inc., our nonprofit partner, directly support community projects. These initiatives range from infrastructure improvements to educational programs, all aimed at fostering community vitality and growth.
3. Enhancing Grant Writing Skills:
- Through our awards process, communities that apply for funds receive coaching on how to improve their applications, which in turn empowers community members with the skills needed to secure funding for their projects. Your support helps us continue offering these valuable educational resources.
4. Recognizing Community Achievements:
- Donations also contribute to our recognition programs, celebrating the hard work and dedication of communities striving to make a difference. This visibility encourages continued community engagement and pride.
How You Can Help:
Visit our Donate page to learn more about how you can contribute. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a significant impact. Together, we can empower communities across Kansas to thrive and grow.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
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2025 Enrolled Communities | | | |
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Below is a list of communities enrolled in the program so far in 2025. 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
Anthony
Arlington
Blue Rapids
Caldwell
Caney
Canton
Columbus
Conway Springs
Dover
Ellis
Erie
Eskridge
Glasco
Grainfield
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Harper
Highland
Independence
Iola
Kinsley
La Harpe
Lakin
Larned
Lecompton
Lenora
Leonardville
Lincoln
Lucas
McFarland
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Newton
Olsburg
Overbrook
Perry
Potwin
Randolph
Riverton
Russell
Savonburg
Sylvia
Towanda
Valley Falls
Vermillion
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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