The United Way of the Flint Hills offers Emerging Needs Grants to eligible organizations in our community.
Emerging Needs Grant funding requests should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human services needs of our community that are time sensitive. Funding is specifically reserved as short-term funding for start-up costs associated with bringing a new program to our community or to an organization that provides a vital program that addresses our priority areas of Education, Income, and Health. Other factors for funding consideration include measurable outcomes, programs that meet currently unmet needs, and the organization’s ability to secure funds to continue the project.
- Corky's Cupboard: Items for on-campus food pantry
- Emporia Child Care Center: Art supplies
- Emporia Recreation Commission: Outdoor day camp experience for Summer Scape participants in collaboration with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
- Respect the Wheels: Classes, signs, and posters to promote bike safety
- Salvation Army: Beds for those impacted by the fire at Eastwood Lake Apartments
- Midwest Search and Rescue: Search and rescue class for first responders
- Hetlinger Developmental Service: Art therapy class for clients
- Spartan Stop: Supplies for students in need
- Harvest House Food Pantry: Freezer units
- Leadership Morris County: Blessing Boxes
- USD 252 Early Childhood Center: Pajamas for Family Fun Night
- Stamp Out Hunger: Bags for food drive
- ECKAN Osage County: New gym shoes for students
- Lord's Lambs Preschool: Assistance with roof repair
- Northern Heights High School: Bringing Reality U to students
- Emporia Senior Center: Walk in refrigeration unit
- Beacon of Hope: Creation of suicide prevention educational material
- Resource Center for Independent Living: Durable medical equipment
- K-State Research and Extension: Lyon County nutrition education
- Flint Hills Rebuilders: Winterization, Repair and accessibility assistance
- City of Emporia: Lactation room at William LL White auditorium
- Build Blocks Child Care Center: Heating system repair
- ECKAN Osage County: Hygiene pantry
- Crosswinds Counseling: Technology for telehealth
Emerging Needs Grant funding requests should present innovative approaches to meeting the health and human services needs of our community that are time sensitive. Funding is specifically reserved as short-term funding for start-up costs associated with bringing a new program to our community or to an organization that provides a vital program that addresses our priority areas of Education, Income, and Health. Other factors for funding consideration include measurable outcomes, programs that meet currently unmet needs, and the organization’s ability to secure funds to continue the project.
Objectives
United Way of the Flint Hills will provide a mechanism for funding outside its existing grant making in order to remain responsive to community needs during ongoing funding cycles. An Emerging Needs Grant is:
- a one-time grant, not an allocation;
- one-time funding for health and human service providers;
- for emerging needs within the community;
- for emergency and unforeseen circumstances that have an immediate impact on service delivery focused on education, income and health.
Eligibility:
Grants are made only to nonprofit organizations that have federal tax-exempt status as a section 501(c)(3) public charity or to government agencies. The nonprofit or government agency must operate and provide service within Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee, and Woodson counties. No grants are made to individuals.
If the organization is not currently recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt not-for-profit, they may identify a 501(c)(3) sponsor to act as their organization’s fiscal agent. The fiscal agent must be recognized as a publicly supported, charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
Organizations must comply with all regulations of the state, county and federal government pertaining to proper licensing, health and safety requirements and operation within the State of Kansas and certify they are in compliance with the USA Patriot Act and other counterterrorism laws. Organizations receiving this grant must also abide by an Affiliate Partner Agreement, which outlines responsibilities and reporting requirements related to grant funds.
Funding Considerations
United Way will consider funding in the following areas and preference is given to projects or programs that:
- are collaborative projects or programs
- are focused on Education, Income and/or Health, with special emphasis on the following focus areas:
- strengthening and supporting families
- supporting vulnerable and aging populations
- promoting self-sufficiency
- helping children and youth succeed
- building vital and safe neighborhoods
- address priority community issues and demonstrate measurable outcomes
- encourage more effective/innovative use of limited community resources
- demonstrate new approaches and techniques to the solution of community problems
- are intended to strengthen the management capabilities of agencies and/or promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community affairs.
Limitations
United Way cannot meet every community need. We do not fund for the following: annual fund drives, building funds, operating deficits or after the fact support, direct or grass roots lobbying, religious purposes, hospitals, medical research, academic research, or events sponsorships.
An organization may only receive this grant once within a 12-month period unless it is an emergency. Supporting documentation of the emergency must accompany the request. Other exceptions may be made in cases when the organization requesting funding serves as the fiscal agent for another organization. Due to limited funding, partial grants may be awarded. United Way does not expect to make recurring or multiple-year grants to the same organization or program, and the maximum grant award normally does not exceed $2,000. It is suggested that requests not exceed these guidelines.
Reporting Requirements
United Way of the Flint Hills requires accountability and transparency in all aspects of our operations. Organizations receiving Emerging Needs Grants shall complete an online outcome report form within three months of funding receipt. In addition to the requested information please consider including any additional information or material that you feel is relevant to the project such as photos, news or media coverage, or testimonials from participants.
Timeframe
United Way is required to fully review and evaluate all funding requests, resulting in a decision-making and approval process that normally takes at least 30 days. A lack of requested information or an incomplete application would delay the decision-making and approval process.
Contact
Daphne Mertens, Executive Director
United Way of the Flint Hills
702 Commercial Street
Emporia, KS 66801
620.342.7564