Emerging Needs Grants

United Way of the Flint Hills offers Emerging Needs Grants to eligible organizations in their community to fund innovative approaches to meeting health and human services needs that are time-sensitive.

Purpose: Funding is specifically reserved as short-term funding for start-up costs associated with bringing a new program to the community or to an organization that provides a vital program addressing priority areas of Education, Income, and Health.

Geographic Scope: Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage, Wabaunsee, and Woodson counties in Kansas

Grant Type: 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

Eligibility

• Grants are made only to nonprofit organizations with 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 the eight-county service area
• No grants are made to individuals
• Organizations may identify a 501(c)(3) sponsor to act as fiscal agent if not directly recognized
• Must comply with all state, county, and federal regulations pertaining to licensing, health and safety requirements
• Must certify compliance with USA Patriot Act and other counterterrorism laws
• Organizations must abide by an Affiliate Partner Agreement outlining responsibilities and reporting requirements

Funding Considerations

Preference is given to projects or programs that:

• Are collaborative
• Are focused on Education, Income, and/or Health, with special emphasis on:
  • 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 solving community problems
• Are intended to strengthen management capabilities of agencies or promote volunteer participation and citizen involvement

Limitations and Exclusions

United Way does not fund:

• Annual fund drives
• Building funds
• Operating deficits or after-the-fact support
• Direct or grassroots lobbying
• Religious purposes
• Hospitals
• Medical research
• Academic research
• Event sponsorships

Additional restrictions:

• An organization may only receive this grant once within the United Way of the Flint Hills calendar year, unless it is an emergency (supporting documentation required)
• Other exceptions may be made when the organization requesting funding serves as fiscal agent for another organization
• Due to limited funding, partial grants may be awarded
• Maximum grant award normally does not exceed $2,000

Other Factors for Funding Consideration

• Measurable outcomes
• Programs that meet currently unmet needs
• Organization's ability to secure funds to continue the project

Reporting Requirements

Organizations receiving Emerging Needs Grants must complete an online outcome report form within three months of funding receipt. Additional information may include photos, news/media coverage, or testimonials from participants.

Review Timeline

United Way is required to fully review and evaluate all funding requests. Decision-making and approval process normally takes at least 30 days. A lack of requested information or an incomplete application would delay the process.

Application Process

Important Note: This application cannot be saved in draft form. It is strongly recommended to complete the application in a Word document prior to beginning work on the online form, then copy and paste responses into the online form for submission.

Organization Information Section

1. Organization Name
2. Address
3. Phone Number
4. Website
5. Executive Director Name
6. Executive Director Email Address
7. Contact Person Name
8. Contact Person Email Address
9. Board President Name
10. Board List (names and addresses of officers and board members/governing body)
    • File upload (one file only, 200 MB limit)
    • Allowed formats: rtf, pdf, doc, docx, odt, ppt, pptx, odp, xls, xlsx, ods
11. IRS Letter (establishing tax-exempt status, not a private foundation; if using fiscal agent, provide agent's 501(c)(3) letter)
    • File upload (one file only, 200 MB limit)
    • Allowed formats: gif, jpg, jpeg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, rtf, html, odf, pdf, doc, docx, ppt, pptx, xls, xlsx, xml, avi, mov, mp3, mp4, ogg, wav, bz2, dmg, gz, jar, rar, sit, svg, tar, zip
12. Have you received funding in the last 12 months? (Yes/No)
    • Note: Organizations can only apply once every 12 months. Emergency requests require contacting the United Way office at 620-342-7564.

Project Information Section

1. Project Name
2. Amount Requested from United Way of the Flint Hills ($)
3. Project Description: Describe the project and how it meets the purpose of the Emerging Needs Fund (who and how many will it serve, what services will be provided, etc.)
4. Service Areas: Select which counties the project will serve:
   • Chase
   • Coffey
   • Greenwood
   • Lyon
   • Morris
   • Osage
   • Wabaunsee
   • Woodson (includes zip codes 66423, 66431, 66507)
   • All of the above
5. Anticipated Outcomes: What are the anticipated outcomes of the project?
6. Documented Need: What is the documented need for the proposal?
7. Project Timeline: Include any projected launch date for the program and/or project completion date
8. Use of Funds: How will United Way funds be used? (Please be specific)
9. Partial Funding Contingency: If your grant request is only partially funded by the United Way, will your project/program be able to move forward? (Yes/No)
   • If yes, describe how you will raise additional funds
10. Sustainability: If the project is to continue after the grant period, how might it be funded?
11. Cost to Participants: Is there a charge for your target audience to participate in the project? (Yes/No)
    • If yes, please explain

Project Budget Form

Revenue Section:

• United Way (amount requested, $)
• Other Revenue 1 (amount, $)
• Other Revenue 2 (amount, $)
• Other Revenue 3 (amount, $)
• Total Project Revenue

Expenses Section:

• Personnel (amount, $)
• Administration specific to this project (amount, $)
• Office Supplies (amount, $)
• Advertising and Printing (amount, $)
• Travel (amount, $)
• Dues and Subscriptions (amount, $)
• Occupancy/Utilities (amount, $)
• Professional Fees (amount, $)
• Equipment, etc. specific to this project (amount, $)
• Other Expense 1 (amount, $)
• Total Project Expenses