Community Program is sponsored by Variety KC the Children's Charity. Variety KC's Community Program provides grants to businesses, schools, and organizations that are looking to build a more inclusive space in their business and/or community.

Get Help | Variety KC the Children's Charity Becoming a Variety Family If you live in the Greater Kansas City area and have a child with a medically diagnosed physical or developmental disability, we want to help you!

Empowering Kids in the Greater Kansas City Region Variety KC prioritizes grants in our 6-county metro (KS: Johnson, Wyandotte; MO: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte), but we encourage people who live in surrounding the counties of Atchison, Buchanan, Clinton, Douglas, Leavenworth, and Miami to apply. Approval will be based on the availability of funds and are subject to a Board of Directors approval.

Through various programs and services, we empower Variety Kids to establish independence, build confidence, improve socialization with family and friends, and learn new skills. When you become a Variety Family, you join a network of children with disabilities and their loved ones from across the region.

If you live outside of the counties that Variety KC serves, please contact US Variety directly as they should be able to help Variety KC works hard to keep families updated on their grant applications. When a family submits a grant application Variety KC will reach out by phone or email within 1 month and answer questions about our process as well as share an estimated timeline for board approval.

After the board has approved your application Variety KC will fulfill request and handle all billing with manufacturers or retailers. All items will be delivered to Variety KC. Please know that customized equipment can take anywhere from 1-6 months due to manufacturing timelines.

Once your item has been delivered Variety KC will reach out to your family to arrange to present your gift to your child. If you have questions about the status of your application please don’t hesitate to contact JoAnna Long at jlong@varietykc. org See below for FAQS or reach out to us at 913.

303. 9598 or info@varietykc. org and we’ll be happy to help!

Here are some examples of what we cover. Not seeing the item you want? Contact us today!

Need help with funding a community project? Apply for Community Grant Apply as a Community Organization → Communication Devices and Mounts Apply as a Community Organization → Learn about Maddie’s Mission → Apply as a Community Organization → Apply as a Community Organization → Recreation Activity Grant Apply as a Community Organization → Below are some frequently asked questions.

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions at 913. 303. 9598 or info@varietykc.

org What if we don’t live in the 6-counties served by Variety KC (Johnson, Jackson, Platte, Clay, Cass, Wyandotte)? If your family does not live within the 6-counties we currently serve, we still encourage you to apply if you live in surrounding/nearby counties! Applications will be presented to our Board of Directors and exceptions have been made depending upon a family’s situation.

If you are unsure if there is a Variety chapter closer to where you live, please visit usvariety. org/grants to look through the list of all Variety chapters and the areas they each serve. You will also find contact information for a US Variety representative to help you if you do not have a Variety chapter in your area.

How often can I reapply to additional Variety KC Grants? At Variety KC, our mission is to assist as many children and families as possible. Because of the high demand for support, we have a three-year waiting period between grants .

Families become eligible to apply for another grant three years from the month of their original application – not from the date they received the item or service. Example: If you applied for our My Mobility Grant in June 2025, you would be eligible to apply for any Variety KC grant (My Mobility, My Therapy, My Communication, etc.) again in June 2028.

This policy helps ensure every child has the opportunity to receive life-changing assistance, while keeping our program fair and sustainable for all families. If you still have questions about whether your child is eligible to apply for additional Variety KC grants, please reach out to JoAnna Long at jlong@varietykc. org What materials do I need to have on hand before I fill out an application?

TO COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION, THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NEEDED. ❑ Letter(s) of verification from professionals you identified (therapist, doctor, social worker) who are most familiar with your child’s needs. This letter should specify your child’s needs for the equipment requested.

❑ Copies of determinations from relevant insurance programs. ❑ Copy of latest federal income tax return, pages 1 & 2. ❑ Copy of the quote for your request directly from the vendor.

❑ Clear, detailed description of equipment to meet child’s needs. ❑ Address all items as stated in the Addendum for appropriate equipment being requested. ❑ Two or three assisted technology bids from suppliers (Variety can assist you in choosing a vendor).

❑ Signature on Release of Liability Form. ❑ Signature on Affirmation of Truth Statement. ❑ Signature on Disclaimer.

❑ Authorization to Use Name & Likeness (signature optional). ❑ Recent photo of the child. (high resolution image) ❑ Signatures of all legal guardians & complete demographic data.

❑ If funding is approved, we do require photographs of child with equipment (preferably within a month of project completion). Please use 35mm film or you can submit via email to info@varietykc. org.

What if I want to order equipment but not sure the correct size or modifications?

Our Variety KC team is purchasing the equipment based on the exact specifications you list in your application (specifically, in the “Uploaded Quote from Vendor/Supplier” document) – this includes: size, color, modifications needed, additional attachments needed, etc. If you are unsure about any specifications of your desired item, please collaborate with your child’s therapy team to determine the item that best fits your child’s needs and abilities prior to applying.

What happens after I submit an application? Variety KC works hard to keep families updated on their grant applications. Once a family submits a grant application Variety KC will reach out by phone or email with in a week and answer questions about our process as well as share an estimated timeline for board approval.

Once the board has approved your application Variety KC will fulfill request and handle all billing with manufacturers or retailers. All items will be delivered to Variety KC. Please know that customized equipment can take anywhere from 1-6 months due to manufacturing timelines.

Once your item has been delivered Variety KC will reach out to your family to arrange to present your gift to your child. If you have questions about the status of your application please don’t hesitate to contact JoAnna Long at jlong@varietykc. org We need an accessible vehicle for our family - can I apply for funding to help our family purchase the vehicle to be adapted/modified to meet the needs of our child?

Variety KC does accept applications for accessible vehicles; however, we cannot help in the purchase of a vehicle that is not yet modified to be accessible.

We are able to help with the following: Funding (provided directly to the owner of the title of the vehicle) to assist with the purchase of an already adaptive/accessible vehicle Funding (provided directly to the company responsible for modifying the vehicle) to assist with modification of the vehicle to make it accessible and meet the needs of your child Interested in donating a piece of adaptive equipment to another deserving child or family in our community?

Due to liability considerations, Variety KC is unfortunately unable to accept donations of used or previously owned equipment. However, we are happy to share a few organizations that may be able to help. We recommend reaching out to Ability KC or the Britain Development Center to see if they currently have the capacity to accept equipment donations.

Another potential option is Accessibility Medical Equipment . While we have limited experience working with this organization, it may still be worth contacting them to explore donation opportunities. Thank you for your generosity and for thinking of ways to support children and families in our community!

Where to find all Variety KC playgrounds and projects Use the dropdown below the map to filter by category We’re making Kansas City the most inclusive city in the world… for every kid. Take a glance through our inclusion map and helpful awareness guides and videos.

Kansas Society for Children with Challenges Alliance Rehab and Medical Equipment Ocelco Healthcare Equipment & Parts Additional Funding Sources Fox 4 Love Fund for Children Kansas Society for Children with Challenges Kids Assistive Technology KAT Grant Midwest Social Needs Trust Missouri Assistive Technology Adv.

Council Missouri Cattleman’s Association Children’s Funds The Children’s Miracle Network of Greater Kansas City Alphapointe Association for the Blind Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired Greater Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Association Johnson County Developmental Supports Kansas City, Missouri Parks and Recreation Kansas City Regional Center of Developmental Disabilities Lee’s Summit, Missouri Parks and Recreation Midwest Adaptive Sports (MAS) Muscular Dystrophy Association Platte County Board of Services United Cerebral Palsy of Kansas United Cerebral Palsy of Missouri YMCA of Greater Kansas City Kauffman Center for Performing Arts Inclusion Connections (New Wave Dance Studio) Midwest Adaptive Sports (MAS) The Extra Ordinary Troupe, GL House of Dance Interested in becoming a Variety KC Inclusive Partner?

Complete the application and become a part of our growing network of partners who believe every child deserves to Be Active, Be Social, and Belong Apply to Become a Variety KC Inclusive Partner How to make the most inclusive playground Think of me. Keep it free.

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