Zero KC Grant

The Zero KC Grant is a vital initiative by the City of Kansas City aimed at addressing homelessness through innovative funding. By fostering collaboration among local agencies, the grant seeks to create a comprehensive system of services, including outreach, transportation, and permanent housing. It encourages partnerships to effectively support individuals facing barriers to housing, such as mental health issues and substance use disorders. This initiative not only addresses immediate needs but also promotes long-term solutions, ensuring that every Kansas Citian has access to safe shelter.

What is Zero KC?
Zero KC is Kansas City's framework for ending homelessness, driven by the Office of Unhoused Solutions (OUS). As part of the national Built for Zero initiative, Kansas City is one of many communities collaborating to reach “functional zero,” where homelessness is rare, brief, and non-recurring. Zero KC is focused on long-term solutions that stabilize the housing crisis.
Through Zero KC, the City of Kansas City partners with agencies to offer both immediate shelter options and programs that focus on long-term housing solutions. To achieve this, the City is calling on local service providers to expand their efforts and apply for grants that will enable them to deliver specialized, low-barrier services for people who may have been traditionally underserved in existing shelter systems.
The City is specifically looking for proposals that aim to:
Expand specialized services for groups who face additional barriers to housing, including those with mental health needs, substance use disorders, LGBTQ+ individuals, and others with low-barrier access requirements.Promote innovation in how services are delivered, making it easier for people to access the help they need without unnecessary obstacles.Foster collaboration among agencies to create a more connected and responsive support network.
The City invites agencies, nonprofits, and other service providers to apply for these grants and collaborate on building a system that ensures all Kansas Citians, regardless of their circumstances, have access to safe and dignified shelter. These grants are a critical part of Kansas City’s mission to make meaningful progress in reducing homelessness and supporting long-term housing stability.
The Zero KC Grant is an innovative funding opportunity designed to transform how our community addresses homelessness. Unlike traditional grants that support individual programs or organizations, this initiative seeks to build a cohesive, functional system by aligning the efforts of local organizations. Area agencies serving people experiencing homelessness are invited to apply, not just for funding, but to collaborate in creating an interconnected network of services. From outreach and transportation to treatment and permanent housing, the goal is to map applicants’ capabilities and strategically fund those who can contribute to a complete, effective system. Agencies must be open to partnership and flexible in working collaboratively with others to address gaps and achieve a shared vision of ending homelessness.

Eligibility

Organizations that serve individuals experiencing homelessness or those that contribute to helping someone exit homelessness are encouraged to apply.There are no specific types of organizations, such as 501(c)(3) nonprofits, required.Newly established nonprofits can apply.We do not expect applicants to present a comprehensive plan.We understand that moving people out of homelessness requires a wide range of services and interventions:transportation outreachtreatment shelterpermanent housingrental assistance,etc. Each application will be assessed for its unique role in addressing homelessness and its potential to align with and strengthen a coordinated network of services.Funded activities must take place in Kansas City, Missouri.Applicants must be open to collaboration and willing to work with others to address gaps and strengthen the system.There are no restrictions on how the funds can be used . (e.g., salaries, capital projects, operating expenses)Keep in mind, the people reviewing the grants are experts in homelessness, so whatever is being funded will need thorough explanation in how the project contributes to a system level response.There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for individual applicants.Currently, this is a one-time grant, but the goal is to work to find sustained funding if the system we design is effective at getting people out of homelessness.Basic budget information is desired at this level, and we will ask for more details if your project is being considered.Matching funds or in-kind contributions are not required, but it certainly helps.If you believe the expense leads to the outcome of people getting out of homelessness, and we believe it too, it is eligible.We are looking to fund programs/organizations that result in a system level response to homelessness.

Ineligibility

Rather than funding individual programs, this grant focuses on creating an interconnected network of services, from outreach and transportation to treatment and permanent housing.This grant does not support multiyear funding.If what you are seeking funding for is built around delivering “units of service” like handing out hygiene bags or food, and there isn’t a case to be made for getting people out of homelessness, it is unlikely it will be funded.Agencies who are committed to their work without wanting a systems approach, a shared sense of values, and a shared sense of mutual respect will be unsuccessful in seeking funding through Zero KC.