Rural By Choice Champions

Rural By Choice Champions is sponsored by Kansas Department of Commerce's Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP). This program provides a stipend to hire a 'Champion' to address critical public needs and build capacity in rural communities. It is developed in partnership with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation.

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Exporting Programs & Services, Investment, Reshoring Resources for your move to Kansas. Taxes, Credits, & Exemptions To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards Corporate & Professional Services Food Processing and Manufacturing Energy & Natural Resources Office Of Rural Prosperity / A network of devoted Rural Champions working to strengthen Kansas communities.

Developed by the Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Rural Prosperity (ORP), in collaboration with the Kansas Sampler Foundation (KSF) and the Patterson Family Foundation, this program will address critical public needs in rural communities and build capacity moving forward.

The Rural Champions program is designed to create a network of grassroots individuals who possess the necessary tools to resolve critical community needs in a quick and effective manner. These Rural Champions will receive strategic training, compensation, and will be connected with resources to assist them.

The Rural Champion program was recognized by International Economic Development Council (IEDC) with two 2024 Excellence in Economic Development Silver Awards. Read Rural Champions Press Release Read IEDC Announcement Press Release Moving the needle towards rural prosperity.

The need for the Rural Champions program was identified in the Power Up & Go report through surveys and interviews of more than 400 rural Kansans under the age of 40 as something that would “move the needle” toward success.

Many of those individuals wanting to make a difference are volunteers who are passionate about their communities but unable to take on a community improvement project without receiving appropriate resources, training and compensation. The Rural Champions program removes the funding gap for those passionate rural dwellers by connecting them with resources that will help them accomplish their critical community project.

The grant for wages of $20,800 will be reimbursed on a quarterly basis, with an additional implementation grant. Apply for Rural Champions-Closed Grant Application Checklist Dec. 17 Webinar Recording Application Webinar Powerpoint In many cases for rural communities, the lack of capacity in human capital prohibits critical needs from being addressed.

The Rural Champions program has provided the support needed to fill the gap in driving successes throughout Kansas. The Rural Champions program is creating a network of grassroots champions tackling needs that have been identified by the communities themselves.

Learn more about the 2025 cohort of Rural Champions 2025 Rural Champion Projects The Rural Champions program will provide support needed to fill the gap in driving successes throughout Kansas when there is a lack of capital or the capacity of a dedicated individual to see a project through to completion.

Rural champions communities and organizations will be selected for this program and will receive a stipend to focus strategically on a critical need for their community for 1 year. Selected Champions will develop an implementation strategy for the identified community need in the first three months and then have the until December 2028 to fully implement this strategy.

In this application you will describe the needs in your community and how having a Champion will benefit your community. Learn more about the application here: Application questions The grant is a paid as a quarterly stipend reimbursement and is based on $20/hour for 20 hours/week, for a total of $20,800. A 25% match of cash &/or in-kind is required for $5,200.

A cash match for additional hours on the project is encouraged. The applicant organization is expected to provide a match through in-kind workspace, provided computer and technology access, travel reimbursements, etc. Stipends will be reimbursed quarterly, upon submission of a quarterly progress report, expense report and documentation of matching funds.

In addition, each selected Champion will receive a $25,000 implementation grant that will be provided following approval of a submitted project implementation proposal for the initiative during the third project quarter. Questions can be directed to Kelli Hansen at [email protected] or 785-230-9857.

Eligible applicants, in counties with population less than 40,000, include: Division of local government Economic/Community Development Local Chambers of Commerce or Tourism Nonprofits (501(c)3 or 601(c)6) Main Street Organizations Unified School Districts (USD) Federally recognized tribal nations Examples of eligible community projects include, but are not limited to: Rural grocery/food access Placemaking/Beautification/Art Regional talent recruitment Salesforce Application Tutorials Establishing Account Relationship Learn more about 2023 Rural Champion Projects 2023 Rural Champion Project Guidebook Counties have identified that to be able to create a future for their residents and keep thriving communities, they needed programs to concentrate on and promote community development for programs in the long term.

Revitalizing communities through placemaking is a trend sweeping through rural communities. As communities begin to invest in themselves and build energy around beautification projects, people will see that it is a place where they want to live and be involved. Placemaking & Recruitment Supporting small vendor entrepreneurs to begin store fronts can greatly impact communities.

By addressing the child care shortage in communities, rural communities can support their workforce and community. Affordable, quality and accessible housing are critical to growing the Kansas economy and improving the quality of life in our state. Breaking the stigma of seeking out help and adding more healthy experiences for a healthier Kansas fueled the Wellness Rural Champion projects.

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