Nonprofit Catalyst Grant

Nonprofit Catalyst Grant is sponsored by United Way of Greater Kansas City (with support from The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation). This fund invests in small nonprofit charitable organizations in Greater Kansas City that primarily serve historically marginalized communities.

Nonprofit Catalyst Grant - United Way of Greater Kansas City $2M Invested In Small Nonprofits Serving Marginalized Communities United Way, with the support of The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, has invested in small nonprofit charitable organizations in Greater Kansas City that primarily serve marginalized communities.

Examples of historically marginalized communities may include but are not limited to: Black/African American communities, Indigenous Peoples, Latino/Hispanic communities, Asian/Pacific Islander communities, LGBTQ+ communities, Persons with Disabilities, Immigrant and Refugee Communities, Religious Minorities, Low-Income/Disinvested Communities, Women & Gender Diverse People.

Through the $2 million Nonprofit Catalyst Fund, investments have been made through strategic grants tailored to the unique needs of organizations, and priorities for use of grant dollars are established by their leaders.

Nonprofit organizations – particularly smaller organizations with strong ties to the communities they serve – are significant contributors to an equitable and inclusive economic development system, not only as employers and community conveners, but also in the delivery of critical programs and services that promote inclusive prosperity.

Nonprofit Catalyst Grantees Advocates for Immigrant Rights & Reconciliation of Kansas City Black Archives of MidAmerica Black Owned Business Kansas City Foundation Bluford Healthcare Leadership Institute Bridge Leadership Academy Brothers Liberating Our Communities BTC Building Brighter Futures Calvary Community Outreach Network Chandler/Turner Scholarship Fund Inc. Children of Homicide Victims Christian Family Services Collaborative Response dba Dynamic System of Schools Communities Creating Opportunity Consolidated Social Work Services Downtown Shareholders of Kansas City, Kan.

Essential Families Midwest Inc. Exceeds Expectations, Inc. Family Resource of Cass County Inc. Fathers Assisting Mothers Inc. Full Throttle Foundation KC Gem Cultural Education Center Generating Income For Tomorrow Grateful Education Foundation Green Acres Farm & Research Project Harris Park Midtown Sports & Activities Center Heart of the City Neighborhood Association, Inc. Kansas City Community Land Trust Kansas City Women in Technology Korean American Society of Greater KC Light Under the Sun, Inc. Mission Vision Project KC National Congress of Black Women Inc. One Community Jiujitsu Club Parent Leadership Training Institute People of All Communities Succeed Poetry for Personal Power Professional Women of Color KC Providence School of Arts Redemptorist Social Services Center RW2 Career & Technical Education Serve the World Charities Systems of Care Initiative The Disabled But Not Really Foundation The Soul of Santa Do Good Foundation The Village Initiative, Inc. True Light Family Resource Center Urban Technology Empowered Communities Urban TEC.

Welcome Wellness Health Education Resource Center Nonprofit Catalyst Grant – Frequently Asked Questions How can an organization seek a grant from the fund? The fund is not currently seeking applications, but is hoping to expand funding capacity in the future. What is the amount of funding that grantees will receive?

Successful applicants have previously received a nonrecurring grant ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, and generally not to exceed 20% of an organization’s operating budget and based upon the specific need outlined in the applicant’s funding application. What types of organizations are the focus of the fund?

The intended beneficiaries of this fund have been small 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that primarily serve historically marginalized communities.

Eligible organizations have been those with a mission that aligns with one or more of the following human service domains: education, youth development, human services, community development, and those that have economic mobility, entrepreneurship support, and/or workforce skill building as a primary goal. What is the geographic focus of the fund?

This grant opportunity has been for organizations within the six-county Kansas City metro area (Jackson, Clay, Platte and Cass in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte in Kansas). How is “small nonprofit” defined for the purpose of this initiative?

This fund has been intended to advance the progress of established organizations with an established track record of serving the community (for at least one year), and that have an annual operating budget between $25,000 and $500,000.

In assessing the budget size eligibility, United Way has considered the organization’s financial statements as reflected in the IRS Form 990, or a year-end financial statement or budget provided for review by the applicant organization. In addition, applicants must have at least one paid staff person who is responsible for day-to-day operations of the organization (who may be in full-time, part-time or contract role).

What is the timeframe of this grant opportunity? Grants have been intended to provide a one-time investment to support work that takes place over a limited timeframe, generally one year. However, the time period over which grants are used is flexible and applicants will be asked to define the grant period at the time of application.

This period may be adjusted after the grant is awarded, based on the grantee’s progress accomplishing the specific goals outlined in the application. Event and Meeting Space Rental ECM Training and Resources United Way of Greater Kansas City 4801 Main Street Suite #425